Keeping a cat healthy involves everything from monitoring their litter box habits to feeding them a healthy diet and keeping them active with toys. However, cat owners also have to protect their felines from intestinal parasites like roundworms and tapeworms.
Exactly how often should you deworm a cat for optimal health? Is deworming really necessary for indoor cats? What happens if you don’t treat intestinal parasites in cats?
Hudson Animal Hospital is here to answer these questions and more.
How a Trusted Veterinarian in New York Keeps Urban Pets Healthy
People love having pets for companionship and loyalty. But pet ownership can look a little different for those living in a major city compared to those in rural or suburban areas. Cats may be confined to apartments all day instead of venturing outside, while dogs usually only get fresh air and exercise on a leash instead of roaming free.
Pets in these areas may also be at a greater risk of certain health problems. Obesity is more common in pets kept indoors all the time, while those taken outdoors could be exposed to dangerous viruses or bacteria from rodents. Smart pet owners should bring their animals to a veterinarian in New York for both preventive care and in emergencies.
Why Feline Deworming Matters
Before we get into how often you should deworm a cat, it’s important to understand what deworming is and why it matters. Cats of all ages can ingest intestinal parasites, with tapeworms and roundworms being the most common.
Once they enter the animal’s system, both parasites live in the intestine and feed off the nutrients from the cat’s food. Vets often link tapeworms in cats to fleas and small rodents, making them more common in adult and senior cats. Roundworms are more prominent in kittens.
Once these parasites establish themselves in a cat’s system, they can cause symptoms like:
- Diarrhea
- Weakness
- Weight loss
- Skin lesions
- Loss of fur (alopecia)
Contact a veterinarian if you notice any of the above signs. They’ll recommend a treatment to kill the worms and prevent reinfection.
The Ideal Cat Deworming Schedule
So, how often should you deworm a cat? The answer depends on a few different factors, starting with age.
For example, kittens are especially susceptible to parasites due to their underdeveloped immune systems. To keep them healthy during this formative time, experts recommend the following deworming schedule:
- First treatment when the kitten is between four and six weeks old
- A second treatment at eight weeks
- Additional deworming at 12 weeks
- Deworming every four weeks until the kitten is six months old
With that said, what does the adult cat deworming frequency look like? After completing all treatments as a kitten, felines do well with deworming every one to three months. The timeline may differ for certain cats based on their lifestyle.
You may also be wondering how often you should deworm an outdoor cat versus an indoor cat. Both may be susceptible to parasites. However, outdoor cats tend to have greater exposure, which calls for more frequent treatments.
How Veterinarians Support Cat Owners With Deworming
Whether you’ve just adopted a new kitten or have owned an adult cat for years, don’t hesitate to see an animal doctor if you have any reason to suspect intestinal parasites. If possible, bring a stool sample to test for worms. The veterinarian can then administer medication in the form of a tablet or topical treatment.
Since these treatments are fairly easy to administer, it’s possible to deworm your pet at home. Just make sure you use the prescribed medication from your veterinary team and follow the directions precisely.
Protect Your Cat From Intestinal Worms
Regular deworming is one of the best ways to keep your cat healthy. In between treatments, monitor their litter box habits and watch for signs of worms.
Parasitic eggs can also get trapped easily in their paws, especially after using the litter box or going outside. Maintain a clean box and try to limit their time outside to prevent this.
Bring Your Furry Friend to New York’s Trusted Veterinary Clinic
How often should you deworm a cat in New York? Adult cats who spend their days inside should receive treatment every three months. Bring your feline to Hudson Animal Hospital for this vital treatment.
Our compassionate veterinary experts will give you all of the essential information about deworming and keeping your four-legged companion healthy. To make an appointment, contact us today at (212) 706-4088.