Cats are prone to parasites, as much or more than dogs. At home we have had worms of all kinds, some tapeworms and even a small tick.
Treatment with methods dewormers for cats It is one of the most important prevention tasks that we can contribute to the health of our pet.
Using antiparasitics will allow you to be much calmer on a day-to-day basis, especially if your cat likes to take walks outside the home or if he has access to the outdoors.
If you have come here because your cat has parasites It’s time to take action to remove them. We tell you methods to end them and also methods to prevent each case.
Antiparasitics for cats
You should know that deworming is not always mandatory, but it is always recommended. Being a painless and comfortable treatment to apply, it makes no sense to expose our cats to unnecessary discomfort.
I summarize All you need to know: parasites more common, The best way to prevent them, how to detect them and what to do in case of contagion. Let’s go for it!
The importance of prevention
Pet care family always prefer parasite prevention to their treatment . We don’t like to see our kittens suffer.
A correct administration of antiparasitics It can prevent most infections. A simple necklace, a pill every 3 months or the application of a pipette behind the neck will free us from bad times, vets and pain.
Prevention in outdoor cats
If your cat is an adventurer and loves go out the cat flap to walk around the terrace, the garden or the street; preventing with an antiparasitic is important.
On your outings you will be exposed to all kinds of infectious agents, so we must help your immune system.
Not all cities, neighborhoods or areas are the same and each cat is unique when it catches something. That is why our opinion is that a cat that goes outside must be treated with antiparasitics throughout his life. We should not take risks in health matters.
Prevention in indoor cats
Indoor cats are a different case than those that go outside. Inside a home that keeps a minimum of hygiene and cleaning deworming can be considered as an optional process.
In my personal case, my cats do not go outside (they have access to a terrace), but I administer antiparasitics in a pipette preventively since many years. Instead of doing it every 2-3 months, I do it every 6. I do the same with the treatment of intestinal worms, I give them a pill approximately every 6 months.
You may not see them, but parasites are everywhere. Prevention is the best weapon.
There will be those who believe that it is almost impossible for an indoor cat to catch it, but they are wrong. the chances are much lower than in an outdoor one, but they are not non-existent.
For example, if you have a dog, on a walk you can come home with parasites and infect your indoor cats. The same happens if you have several cats, anyone can pick up a worm and stick it to others.
Symptoms of parasitic contagion
Do you observe unusual behavior in your cat and do you think it could be infected with parasites? The most common symptoms of infection are the following:
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Cough
- Vomiting more frequently
- Blood in the stool
- little appetite
- dehydration
- Anemia
- dull fur
Also, there are some situations that are repeated in infections and that will allow you to detect them with almost total security. We always recommend going to the vet at the slightest suspicion, but it will be great for you know the symptoms to make an initial evaluation and decide how to act:
Weight loss or swelling
Cats infected with intestinal parasites tend to lose weight worryingly. The decrease in appetite added to a lower intake of water, cause a drop in weight that can be as much as 10-20% in many cases.
Keep a weekly or monthly record of your cat’s weight It is a good idea. It will allow you to detect weight variations that may be associated with health problems.
It’s easy to do with your own scale, get on once without a jack and the next time with a jack, subtract the weight and that’s it. Many digital scales already incorporate this function with babies in mind. Aren’t they our babies?
On the contrary, if you had a roundworm infection, your abdomen could have a very noticeable swelling. Since you see your cat every day, it will not be difficult for you to identify this problem in case it happens.
pale gums
Checking the oral status of your cat on a weekly basis is a recommended practice that we are not used to.
A quick check of the teeth allows you to discover health problems before they become serious, and even not having to resort to antiparasitics in some situations.
If your cat’s gums don’t have their signature pinkish color, the news may not be good. Worms and other parasites cause the gums to turn pale. This happens because of the shock caused by the contagion or anemia also caused by these infectious agents.
wormy stool
It is recommended that you do this check the person in charge of cleaning the cat’s litter box. It may be you, but if this is not the case, keep it in mind, since it is about seeing differences with the usual appearance of your feline’s stools.
It is not the most pleasant thing that exists, but a visual inspection of the feces when cleaning the litter box is vital to detect problems in time.
The presence of parasites in feces is the most obvious indicator. It is usually the famous had, you will see it in the form of white worms the size of rice grains (sometimes they might even move). They are easy to see and identify.
Another option is detect persistent diarrhea. As we have already seen, this is one of the most frequent problems associated with the presence of parasites.
vomiting
That a cat vomits is something very normal, especially in long-haired cat breeds. You must take into account the usual frequency of your cat’s vomiting and from there assess if you are doing it too often. If so, the cause may be parasites.
I had a cat that drank a lot of water and vomited almost every day. If your cat does not usually vomit and starts to do so, that is when you have to worry.
Where there is no doubt is, if when observing the vomit, you visualize the worms themselves that were previously in your cat’s intestine. In this case there is no doubt, contagion by heartworms or roundworms is guaranteed, it is necessary to start treatment immediately.
Types of dewormers for cats
Cat antiparasitics can be found with a great diversity of options. It is normal to feel overwhelmed and not know which option to choose or which is the most suitable for your cat. Do not worry because that and many other doubts will be resolved right now.
antiparasitic collars
The collars against external parasites They are, without a doubt, the most used and known option. They present several points in favor with respect to the other methods that we will see later:
- Longer duration: a good antiparasitic collar of cat can last almost a year. None of the other options come close in this respect.
- Easy to use: by putting it on your cat, you should not do anything else.
- Effectiveness: are tools to avoid ticks, fleas and other parasites, even if they are already installed on your cat’s body.
The bad? Many cats find it difficult to get used to wearing a collar, but be patient, they will get used to it in a few days.
There are hundreds of options in stores, so deciding on one can be overwhelming. Based on my experience, I recommend three necklaces that I have tried with good results.
pipettes
your cat he doesn’t like necklaces ? Then pipettes are the method you should choose whether your cat goes outside or is an indoor cat.
Personally I like to recommend it since it is a very complete and easy to apply antiparasitic. exercises a highly effective external protection in the cat, but also combines it with a duration that can reach 6-8 weeks with a single application.
Of my four cats, two hate collars. Pipettes are the ideal solution to keep them free of parasites.
For apply an antiparasitic pipette to your cat you must spray the content of it in their skin, avoiding the hair. Over the next few hours content will expand all over your cat’s body to offer global protection against fleas, ticks or lice.
It is best to apply it behind the neck, because there you will not lick it off.
You have lots of options of pipettes in pet shops. I recommend choosing trusted brands like parasitic either front line.
Remember that these pipettes do not act against worms, tapeworms or internal parasites.
Antiparasitics for the ear: mites in cats
have you observed wounds on your cat’s ears ever? Ear worms are very common in cats. Especially mites. If you see that your cat has a wound at the entrance of the ear, it is probably from scratching because he has mites.
They cause discomfort in our beloved cats and they try to solve scratching hard, but that is not enough to eliminate those mites. We must help them because they can hurt themselves and the itching will make them suffer a lot.
It is a type of antiparasitic that should be applied daily in your cat’s ears to be effective. It is formulated with natural ingredients (coconut oil, chamomile, lovage root, etc.) and can be applied to cats of all ages without any problem.
antiparasitic pills
Deworming pills are a very good option in cats without access to the outside, since in that case we must focus on fighting intestinal parasites above all.
There are many brands and models of deworming pills for cats.. The brand has always worked well for me. Milbemax, which uses milbemycin and praziuantel in its composition. You can order it from your vet at the next review, as it is subject to veterinary prescription. They have also recommended me several times frontal, from Bayer and Stanvet’s Vermistop.
Remember that you must administer the pills depending on the weight of the cat. In the cardboard that contains the pills you will be able to see the amount needed for your cat.
If you have trouble getting your cat swallow the pill (yes, mine also do magic and swallow the stiff to spit out the pill later), I’ll tell you about my trick: uses a syringe to administer crushed pills to animals and close your cat’s mouth for about five seconds. Infallible and guaranteed method.
You also have the method of open their mouths and put the pill down their throats. You will get a scratch 100% sure, but the face that your cat has is priceless.
Spray
Has your cat appeared at home with fleas or ticks? If this is the case, the option to choose is the spray. It is a product for topical use that manages to eliminate external parasites in a very short time after being applied to your cat’s body.
It is also possible use it preventively, but for that use I recommend prioritize collars and pipettes. Still, having a deworming spray on hand at home is essential if your cat is on excursions outside the home.
you can find them in traditional spray format and also in spray. Within the latter, I recommend the Bolfo brand since it is manufactured by Bayer, which always gives some security.
Antiparasitic shampoo for cats
Go ahead than in most cases It is not usually necessary to bathe your cat. Instead, if you like to give it a good cleaning every several weeks, then this option may be of interest to you.
The antiparasitic shampoos for cats perform a double task of cleaning and protection against external parasites. In addition, it exerts a moisturizing work on all the skin that will have an impact on a better quality of the fur.
It is one of the least used methods, and therefore It is not easy to find this type of shampoo, especially in physical store. I have found it online in some trusted stores like kiwoko either shopanimal.
Antiparasitics with natural components
If you are not convinced by the use of antiparasitics due to the chemical components they have, in that case you can opt for Antiparasitics for cats in liquid format or pills of 100% natural origin.
They are formulated with plant extracts such as thyme, sage, chamomile or garlic bulb. The effectiveness can be the same as that of a product formulated in the laboratory but in a much less aggressive way It’s a natural choice.
Its use is exclusive against internal parasites, never against the external ones. The administration must be done by means of a syringe or mixed with wet food (make it mostly protein and water, no weird stuff) for ease.
types of parasites
Unfortunately for your cat, the parasites act Both inside and out from his body. Taking this information into account, we will classify them according to their field of action:
- parasites internal: inhabit organs such as lungs or bowels. They are usually small worms and their detection is complex. The two most common are tapeworm and heartworm.
- parasites external: the fleas waves ticks They are the usual suspects. They stick to your cat’s skin and suck blood for food. They are easier to spot because of their obvious presence.
roundworms
Also known as roundworms or, in their scientific name, as Toxocara cati and Toxascaris leonina. They are the most common internal parasites, with a incredible reproductive capacity which reaches the production of 300,000 eggs per day.
The roundworm contagion occurs when eggs are accidentally ingested, affecting almost always outdoor cats.
On the other hand, the resistance of this parasite has been demonstrated at a scientific level, since there are studies where it has been possible to see that They can remain in the intestine for up to five years. and the lungs. In addition, they resist all types of temperatures without major problems.
To get rid of them, the best thing to do is antiparasitic pills like the ones we mentioned before.
Fleas
Also known in the scientific world as Ctenocephalides felis. Are the most common external parasite in kittens that go abroad. The reasons are simple: they adapt well to all types of ecosystems (although they prefer warm environments) and can multiply by a thousand in just three weeks. No, I’m not exaggerating.
The most common problem with fleas is the unexpected reappearance when we thought we had solved the problem.
It happens because the fleas we removed have laid eggs, and after a few days they open up to give life to another new army of these parasites.
Luckily, with antiparasitics for cats they are eliminated without major problems. Pipettes or sprays are the best solution in these cases.
Remember that, for completely eradicate fleas, you must remove them before they lay eggs, otherwise the cycle will always repeat itself. In addition, good prevention work at home is essential to avoid them permanently.
lungworms
It may seem incredible, but these worms are a growing problem in cats around the world. Their name is Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and they live in the lungs of cats after accessing them through the cat’s blood.
When they are installed in their new house, these parasites lay eggs in the lungs that can cause serious health complications, including breathing difficulties
His presence many times it is invisible to the human eye. I recommend avoiding them through prevention as well as visiting the vet if we cough or sneeze more frequently than normal.
hookworms
The hookworms (Ancylostoma tubaeforme, A. braziliense, Uncinaria stenocephala) are a type of intestinal parasite that has gained considerable fame in recent decades. The reason? There are several recent studies that affirm that 10% of cats in Spain could have them as inhabitants of their stomach.
Once they get to digestive system, these parasites adhere to the gastric wall and dedicate themselves to eating blood and tissue, laying eggs with a very high frequency. These eggs pass out of your cat in the feces, and can also cause some problems in humans.
Again, the best thing for these “bugs” is the administration of deworming pills.
heartworm
You may have heard of this parasite as the heartworm, but its real name is dirofilaria immitis. Are a little-known and recent type of worm, but in veterinary consultations more and more people talk about them.
enter to the heart of your cat thanks to the bites of some mosquitoes, remaining to live in said vital organ. They take months to establish, but once they do, they begin to produce eggs and distribute them through your cat’s bloodstream. This will cause breathing and blood flow problems of your little pet.
They are typical of southern and eastern Europe. If you live in one of these areas, it is important to preventive deworming as the heartworm has been capable of causing deaths in adult cats that appeared to be healthy.
you had
Tapeworms are not a single worm, but a group of so-called flat parasites: Dipylidium caninum, Taenia taeniaeformis and Echinococcus multilocularis.
Contagion of your cat by tapeworms occurs almost always for one of these two situations:
- mouse hunting: these small rodents can have this parasite in their blood. By successfully completing the hunt, your cat could be unknowingly catching it.
- Fleas: It is not as common as contagion by small rodents, but there are also quite a few cases. It happens when your cat cleans his body and accidentally ingests a flea, which can carry tapeworm larvae.
Tapeworms almost always live inside the body of your feline without giving apparent symptoms, except on some occasions anal irritation.
You could detect it because your cat that area is licked much more than normal to alleviate the discomfort, at least until you treat it with the appropriate antiparasitic. Here the best are the specific deworming pills for cats again, maximum effectiveness.
ticks
It is almost certainly the best known external parasite of all, since they are also installed frequently in humans and, above all, in dogs.
Their scientific name is Ixodes ricinus, and their most recognizable characteristic is that they feed on blood, multiplying their size in a surprising way.
Preventing ticks is possible up to a point, but it is very difficult to avoid them in an outdoor cat. The more your cat is out in rural or sparsely urbanized areas, the greater the chance that it will return home with a parasite sucking its blood.
The real danger of ticks is not that they suck your cat’s blood, since the amount of blood extracted will be minimal and at most it will cause a very small anemia. Where the problems can come from is because of the diseases that these parasites carry., which can be transmitted when the tick bites your cat and cause very serious health complications.
They are removed with a simple plastic tweezers (never with your fingers, as you will only be able to crush them, leaving the parasite inside).
Giardiasis and coccidiasis
Less aggressive and worrying for the health of your cat than those previously treated, these parasitic protozoa may be living inside your cat without causing major complications.
The most common way to detect its presence is by seeing traces of blood in the stool. Also, this problem usually goes accompanied by diarrhea, which facilitates its diagnosis.
It only occurs in very young kittens. above the two months of life the immune system responds strongly to keep them at bay and prevent them from causing complications.
Conclusions about dewormers for cats
parasites They have existed, exist and will always exist. so it’s important d Skip treatment with appropriate antiparasitics for cats.
The work you must do is, above all, prevention, but if you are already late, the treatments exposed in the article are very effective.
If your cat goes outside, you must perform an internal deworming every 3 months and also complement it with some protective method against ticks or fleas (as a pipette every 2 months).
On the other hand, if your cat only lives inside the home, with an internal deworming every 4-6 months could be enough in most cases.
You will see it yourself, each cat is a world and each house is a world. Let’s take care of them to the fullest.