WormingCat Care > WormingResponsible ownership involves regular dosing with medication designed to eliminate two types of internal parasite that are common in cats, roundworms and tapeworms. A variety of de-worming preparations are available in the form of tablets, syrups or creams. Some act solely on one type of worm while others combine preparations that will eliminate both. Particular vigilance is necessary to control roundworms in mother cats, before and after giving birth, and in kittens. It is wise to consult a veterinary surgeon, who will advise on the type of preparation needed and the frequency of use. In general, kittens are infected with only roundworms of a particular species (Toxocara cati), which they acquire as larvae from their mother's milk shortly after birth. Generally, it is only older cats that are allowed to go outside and mix with neighboring pets and wildlife that are likely to acquire tapeworms. However, fleas are the intermediate hosts of the commonest tapeworm acquired by cats, Dipylidium caninum. Hence any cat in contact with fleas could be infested with tapeworms. It is usually recommended that a pregnant cat should be treated for roundworms about one month before giving birth. Kittens should be treated every two weeks (for roundworms), beginning at three weeks of age, and this should continue until they are twelve weeks old. From twelve weeks to six months of age they should be wormed on a monthly basis. A cat that roams freely and hunts and kills prey should then be wormed three or four times each year with a preparation that will eliminate both roundworms and tapeworms. If a cat is kept indoors all the time, a less stringent routine may be needed of de-worming once or twice a year. | ||
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