How and when to deworm a cat

If you have a cat, deworming is something you should take very seriously, as it is part of the basic health schedule that every feline needs, whether they go outside or live exclusively indoors. Parasites are more common than they seem, harder to detect with the naked eye and, in some cases, transmissible to the people living with the animal. Knowing when and how to deworm your cat correctly can make the difference between a healthy feline and one that accumulates health problems without anyone noticing in time. In this article you will find everything you need to do it properly.

How can a cat get parasites?

Cats can get parasites in many ways, and some of them surprise even experienced owners. Contact with the outside world — soil, plants, other animals, stagnant water — multiplies the risk, but indoor cats are not safe either. Parasites can enter the home through clothing, footwear or shopping bags, and some insects like fleas can sneak in through windows or balconies. In addition, cats constantly groom themselves, which turns the hygiene of their own coat into a route for ingesting parasites or eggs attached to the fur. Hunting prey — mice, birds, insects — is another important source of internal parasites, especially roundworms and tapeworms.

External parasites: fleas, ticks and mites

External parasites are the most visible, although not always easy to detect in a cat with a dense coat. Fleas are the most common: they move fast, reproduce at an astonishing rate and can cause anything from mild itching to severe allergic dermatitis. A single infested host can contaminate an entire home within days, because fleas deposit their eggs in carpets, upholstery and bedding. Ticks are more common in outdoor cats and can transmit serious diseases. Ear mites (Otodectes cynotis) are very common and cause intense itching, dark debris in the ear canal and, if left untreated, chronic otitis.

• Fleas are the most common and can infest an entire home within days.
• Ticks mainly affect outdoor cats and transmit diseases.
• Ear mites cause intense itching and, without treatment, chronic otitis.

Internal parasites: roundworms and intestinal worms

Internal parasites are less obvious than external ones, which makes them potentially more dangerous: a cat can have a significant parasite burden without showing clear symptoms for weeks or months. The most common are nematodes or roundworms (Toxocara cati), which can be transmitted from the mother to the kitten through milk, and tapeworms (Dipylidium caninum), whose life cycle usually passes through fleas. Some of these parasites are zoonotic — that is, transmissible to humans — which makes internal deworming a public health measure as well as a veterinary one.

• A cat can have a high parasite burden without showing obvious symptoms.
• Roundworms (Toxocara cati) are transmitted from mother to kitten; tapeworms (Dipylidium caninum) via fleas.
• Some are zoonotic: deworming the cat is also a public health measure.

When should you deworm a cat?

The frequency of deworming depends on the cat's lifestyle and whether or not they have access to the outside. As a general rule, outdoor or semi-outdoor cats should be dewormed externally every 1-3 months and internally every 3 months. Indoor cats can space out internal deworming to every 6 months, although it is best to discuss this with the vet. Kittens deserve special attention: they should be dewormed for the first time at 3-4 weeks of age, then every 2 weeks until 3 months of age, then monthly until 6 months. Deworming should also always be carried out before any vaccination, as parasites can interfere with the immune response.

Symptoms of a cat with parasites

One of the biggest problems with parasitism in cats is that many animals tolerate it without showing obvious signs. When they do appear, the most common symptoms are weight loss despite eating normally, a swollen abdomen, dull and lacklustre coat, recurring diarrhoea or vomiting and visible segments in the faeces or around the anus — which often look like small grains of rice in the case of tapeworms —. For external parasites, the most frequent symptoms are excessive scratching, scabs or hairless patches, repeated head shaking or the presence of black specks in the coat — flea dirt —.

Internal parasites:

• Weight loss despite eating normally
• Swollen or tense abdomen
• Dull and lacklustre coat
• Recurring diarrhoea or vomiting
• Visible segments in faeces or around the anus (rice grain appearance)

External parasites:

• Excessive and persistent scratching
• Scabs or hairless patches
• Repeated head shaking (common with ear mites)
• Black specks in the coat (flea dirt)

How to deworm a cat?

There are several antiparasitic formats for cats, and the choice depends on the type of parasite to treat, the animal's temperament and the owner's preference. For internal parasites, the most common are oral tablets and spot-on pipettes with combined action. For external parasites, pipettes are the most widespread format due to their ease of application; there are also collars, sprays and shampoos. Important: never use dog antiparasitics on cats; some active ingredients such as permethrin are extremely toxic to felines.

Available formats:

• Oral tablets — for internal parasites, alone or combined
• Spot-on pipettes — the most used; can be external, internal or combined action
• Antiparasitic collars — long-lasting protection, especially against fleas and ticks
• Sprays — useful for spot treatments or in very young kittens
• Antiparasitic shampoos — complement, not substitute for the main treatment

How to apply a pipette to a cat without stress

The pipette is the most commonly used antiparasitic in cats, but applying it can become a struggle if the animal is not used to it. The key is to do it calmly and at the right moment: when the cat is calm, preferably after eating, and never when agitated. The procedure requires precision for the product to be effective.

1. Hold the cat gently but firmly, preferably with help from another person
2. Part the fur at the nape of the neck or between the shoulder blades until the skin is visible
3. Break open the pipette and apply all the contents directly onto the skin, not onto the fur
4. Prevent the cat from licking the area for at least one hour; use an Elizabethan collar if necessary
5. Do not bathe the cat for 48 hours before or after application
6. Note the application date so you know when the next dose is due

Deworming your cat regularly is one of those simple care routines that have a huge impact on its health and that of the whole family. It doesn't matter whether they live indoors or outdoors: with the right schedule, the right products and a little consistency, it is perfectly manageable. And the most complete protection starts with what they eat. At OnlyFresh you will find cat food made with fresh meats, natural ingredients and probiotics that strengthen the intestinal flora and boost your cat's immune system with every meal, without flour or shortcuts. Give your cat the best nutrition with OnlyFresh.