Best Cat Wormer Medicine
All cats are likely to have worms at some point or another as intestinal parasites are very common, in fact, Cornell University states that as many as 45% of cats have gastrointestinal parasites.
Fortunately, worms can be prevented and treated with relative ease. You can actually treat worms using over-the-counter wormer medicine but it is important to know there are different types of worms which mean there are also different types of dewormer available.
Using this guide, you should be able to treat your cat quickly, easily and effectively at home.
Best over-the-counter cat wormer
Choosing the best dewormer for your cat starts with knowing which type of intestinal parasite your cat has.
In cats, there are three common types of worms:
- Roundworms – these are the most common type of worm and are usually spread by your cat ingesting the eggs. Kittens can be infected with roundworms by suckling on a mother who has roundworms. Signs of roundworms include loss of appetite, weakness and a bloated stomach.
- Tapeworms – these are common, particularly in cats who have had fleas as tapeworms can be spread by ingesting an infected flea. If your cat has a tapeworm it will lose weight as well as its appetite, you may also see worm segments in your cat’s feces. Tapeworms are flat, long worms that look like a piece of tape, as they are segmented they may also appear similar to grains of rice.
- Hookworms – these worms are generally spread by ingesting eggs or walking on contaminated soil, this means hookworms can be spread from one cat to another via a shared litterbox. Your cat may get lesions on their feet, loss of appetite and diarrhea or constipation and may develop a cough. Hookworms feed off cats’ blood so can cause anemia and can be fatal if left untreated.
Deworming medicine is usually available as tablets, spot-on or drops. There are broad-spectrum wormers available but these often come with more side effects than a specific dewormer, it is best to take your cat to the vet to identify which type of worm they have so you can more accurately treat the issue.
As dewormers are available as prescriptions and over the counter, you will find a selection of wormers in pet stores and even in supermarkets.
Our Pick – Amazon 8 in 1 by Furro-Landia
The Furro Landia wormer definitely covers all of the types of worms that you need to be concerned with. It is also made from all-natural ingredients, and also helps the surrounding environment because it helps stop the passing on of worms from your cat.
- This tapeworm dewormer for cats offers more comprehensive treatment, as it effectively gets rid of tapeworm, roundworm, whipworm, hookworm, trichinella and Strongyloides
- TRUSTED FORMULATION – This cat wormer for all worms and cats is proudly made in the USA. Via the GMO-free, we offer the guarantee that our formulation meets the highest standards
Bayer Tapeworm Dewormer
These tablets are designed to tackle tapeworm infestations, they contain praziquantel which is a well-known tapeworm treatment. This over-the-counter medicine is designed to kill tapeworms and can be administered whole or crushed into your cat’s food. This product is safe to use on cats older than 6 weeks but side effects can include diarrhea or salivation.
Prosense Roundworm Dewormer
This liquid dewormer is designed to treat roundworms. It contains piperazine which will paralyze roundworms, allowing your cat to get rid of them via their feces.
This is a liquid formula so is easy to administer but it does not come with a dropper so it is important to make sure you do not overdose your cat. Giving too much of this dewormer can cause vomiting and nausea.
Prosense Roundworm Dewormer can be given to cats older than 6 weeks old. Unfortunately, this product also contains flavour and sugar which is not ideal but does make the mix more appealing to your cat.
Bayer Drontal (Broad Spectrum Dewormer)
Another product offered by the well-known brand Bayer is this broad-spectrum dewormer which can be used against roundworms, tapeworms and hookworms. Drontal contains praziquantel and pyrantel pamoate which work against the three most common types of worms.
This dewormer is in tablet form and is often used by veterinarians so it is considered reliable. These tablets are suitable for use in cats older than a month old and weighing more than 1.5lbs. As this is a broad-spectrum medicine the likelihood of side effects may be increased.
If you’re looking for a more natural option then the next dewormer may be the one for you:
NaturPet D Wormer
This blend of natural ingredients includes fennel seed, wormwood, black seed, black walnut, papaya leaf and safe leaf and is used against roundworms, tapeworms and other parasites including pinworms.
This dewormer is an effective broad-spectrum that is free from chemicals, making it a safe and natural product that is suitable for use on all cats. The ingredients used may also help to soothe and heal your cat’s digestive tract. NaturPet D Wormer comes in liquid form and includes a dropper making it easy to administer.
How Do You Kill Worms in Cats?
Worm treatments are usually enough to kill worms in cats. After worming, the dead worms will be passed out of your cat via their feces so after a worming treatment you will likely see a higher number of worms being passed by your cat than you have seen previously. This is just a sign that the treatment has been effective.
You can keep on top of the issue by treating for worms regularly. You can also actively prevent worms by insuring food bowls, water bowls and litter trays are cleaned and disinfected regularly.
You may want to consider keeping your cat indoors as this will greatly reduce the chances of them contracting worms as infected cats, rodents, birds and fleas can carry and pass on worms.
Keeping your home flea free will also help to reduce the likelihood of your cat contracting tapeworms.
How Often Should You Worm a Cat?
Treatment for worms should be a regular occurrence. Here is a general guide based on your cat’s age and the type of worming treatment being used:
| Age | Frequency of Roundworm Treatment |
| 2-8 WEEKS | Every 2 weeks |
| 2-6 MONTHS | Monthly |
| 6 MONTHS + | Every 1 – 3 months |
|
| |
| Adult Cats | Every 1 – 3 months with a product that is designed to work against both roundworms and tapeworms |
| If your cat hunts a lot your vet will likely advise monthly deworming as they are at a higher risk of being infected with worms. If your cat is pregnant or nursing seek veterinary advice before worming. |
| Age | Frequency of Tapeworm Treatment |
| 6 WEEKS – 6 MONTHS | Monthly |
| 6 MONTHS + | Every 3 months |
Top 3 Vet-Recommended Brands
When it comes to animal care and medicine, a vet is a go-to person. They have the knowledge and experience so let’s take a look at the top three brands recommended by veterinarians:
Bayer
Bayer is a very well-known and widely used brand that is backed by many veterinarians. As one of the most popular and widely available makes, you have likely already used a dewormer by Bayer for your cat in the past. There is a large range of deworming products available for cats including worm-specific and broad-spectrum treatments. Many vets will prescribe or recommend using Drontal by Bayer as it is effective against roundworms, tapeworms and hookworms.
Bayer is available on Amazon in a pill format.
Milbemax
Milbemax offers a broad-spectrum wormer that is effective against roundworm, tapeworm, hookworm and heartworm. Veterinarians often prescribe Milbemax as part of worming treatment for cats and consider it to be both safe and effective.
Moxiclear
Moxiclear has developed a spot-on solution to treat and prevent a range of parasites including fleas and heartworm. It is broad-spectrum and easy to administer. Moxiclear can be prescribed by vets and is a frequently used wormer for cats.
References
Experts from TheVets.com explain, “There are broad-spectrum wormers available but these often come with more side effects than a specific dewormer. It is best to take your cat to the vet to identify which type of worm they have so you can more accurately treat the issue.”
vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/gastrointestinal-parasites-cats
cats.org.uk/oxford/feature-pages/fleas–worms
vettimes.co.uk/4554-Moxiclear-Spot-On-A4-4pp-Detail-Aid-v1j-AW.pdf
canadianveterinarians.net/documents/intestinal-parasites-animal-owners