Worming Your Cat

Which cats have worms?

Most kittens have round worms. They are transmitted from their mothers via the placenta and through the milk. Eggs are then passed out in the faeces and contaminate the environment where they can persist for up to two years.

Older cats can also pick up roundworms by ingesting the eggs passed in infected cats’ faeces.

Tapeworms can be picked up either from fleas or from hunting and eating raw meat.

Why is it bad for a cat to have worms?

Young children can pick up roundworm eggs and the infection can in rare circumstances result in blindness or epilepsy as a result of the damage the worms do migrating through the body. This means that effective worming is essential if your cat goes outside or has contact with young children.

Roundworms can cause vomiting and diarrhoea and weight loss in young kittens. Tapeworms are not a human health hazard but are unsightly and cause irritation to your pet as the segments crawl around his bottom.

How do I get rid of worms?

At Yorkshire Vets we can give your kitten a wormer to treat him for roundworms and tapeworms when he comes for each of his primary vaccinations. We then recommend that you worm him every 3 – 4 months for the rest of his life.

How do I keep my cat clear of worms in the future?

If we have an accurate weight for your cat and have examined him during the past 12 months we are happy to prescribe wormers for your cat without you having to bring him to the surgery, please telephone us and we can prepare your prescription for you to collect the following afternoon.

What if I can't give my cat tablets?

Please speak to one of our vets who will be able to advise you about alternative products or make an appointment for us to give your cat the tablet.