Why is it important to deworm your cat?
Regular deworming of your cat is crucial to avoid worm-related diseases. These parasites can come from a variety of sources, such as eating raw foods like meat. They then develop in your cat's intestine.
There are also worms that feed on your cat's blood and cause anemia. Dirofilaria worms, called heartworms, feed directly on your cat's blood plasma, as well as on your dog.
It is important to note that these worms can also be transmitted to humans and children, who are more vulnerable. Cats that are used to walking in the yard or outdoors are at greater risk of contracting worms. For example, kittens can often contract ascariasis, which is transmitted through the mother's milk or through contact with her feces. It is therefore essential to have your cat dewormed regularly to protect its health and avoid the transmission of these parasites to other animals or people.
The different species of worms that can affect cats
It's possible for your non-wormed cat to contract different types of worms during its lifetime. Digestive worms, such as nematodes (roundworms) or cestodes (tapeworms), are parasites that affect your cat's intestine. Cestodes are more rare. There are also smaller digestive worms such as hookworms, which mainly affect dogs.
Roundworms live in the small intestine and are quite common in cats. Tapeworms, or tapeworms, can also affect cats, as well as cardiopulmonary worms, which are rarer in France but can affect your cat, especially if you live in a southern European region.
How to determine the frequency of deworming for your cat?
It is important to start deworming your cat at an early age because kittens are at greater risk of developing worms and parasites. These parasites can cause serious and irreversible damage to many of your cat's organs and can also be transmitted to humans and children.
It's important not to wait until your cat has symptoms such as vomiting, anemia or a dull coat before taking action.
Prevention is the best weapon. It is recommended to deworm your cat 2 to 4 times a year depending on his lifestyle, even if your cat does not go outside much. This will effectively protect your cat from worms and eliminate them.
What is the best option for deworming your cat?
It is important to have your cat dewormed by a veterinarian or under a veterinarian's prescription. There are two recommended deworming options:
- Tablets that can be mixed into your cat's food or given as a treat. The dosage is determined according to several parameters such as the weight and age of your cat. There are also oral syrups that can be given as tablets.
- Pipettes, which are applied to the cat's skin, often on the neck. Pipettes can be easier to use because they do not require your pet to swallow anything.
In any case, your veterinarian will have to show you how to use the dewormer correctly.
How to deworm a kitten?
It is important to deworm your kitten at an early age, because it can be contaminated in the womb if its mother is herself infested. It is important to make sure that his treatment is adapted and specific for his age.
During his first month, he should be dewormed every 2 weeks, then once a month until he is 6 months old. Then, he will have to be dewormed every 2 to 4 months depending on his lifestyle, especially if he goes out or not, throughout his life.
Finally
Regular deworming of your cat is crucial to avoid worm and parasite related diseases. It is recommended that you deworm your cat 2 to 4 times a year. It is important to note that some of these worms can be transmitted to humans and children.
It is better to prevent than to wait for problems to arise.
It is important to never deworm your cat without a prescription from a veterinarian who will determine the exact dose according to your cat's weight and age.
