While cleaning your cat’s litter box, have you ever noticed something odd-looking in their stool? Something white and wiggly that should not be there? If you have, then most likely your cat has worms.
Worms are vile little creatures that feast on the insides of your cats or on the meals your cat eats, depending on the worms. There are a wide variety of ways cats can get worms, but the main thing you should worry about is getting rid of the worms before they get worse.
The best cat dewormer attacks the worm infestation going on inside of your cat, kills them, and helps your cat pass them in their stool. The type of dewormer that you will need to give to your cat depends on what worms you are dealing with.
While finding worms in cat poop, much less trying to figure out which worms they are, is a gross task, it needs to be done to help your cat. Here are some types of dewormers safe for cats and what worms they get rid of.
Top-Rated Cat Dewormers
Bayer Tapeworm Dewormer flushes out pesky tapeworms before they become an issue to your cat’s health.
Key Features
- Removes common tapeworms
- Easy to administer
- Can be given to cats over six weeks old
Bayer made their tapeworm dewormer in a tablet that can be administered whole or crumbled into a powder that can be mixed into your cat’s food. Each tablet contains 23mg of praziquantel that safely removes tapeworms without harming your cat.
The tapeworms this dewormer targets are Dipylidium Caninum and Taenia Pisformis. You only need to administer this treatment once, and the tapeworms should be expelled from your cat’s body.
But in case your cat still has tapeworms, three pills come in the bottle so that you can give them a second pill in two weeks. It is best to give this dewormer to cats six weeks and older to avoid stomach issues.
Pros
- Made by the trusted Bayer brand
- Does not need vet prescription to purchase
Cons
- Can potentially cause salivation or diarrhea in some cats
If you are confident that your cat is suffering from tapeworms, safely remove the worms by giving your cat Bayer Tapeworm Dewormer.
2. PetArmor
PetArmor Plus for Cats kills fleas that can potentially carry harmful worms.
Key Features
- Lasts for 30 days
- Kills all flea life stages
- Prevents worms in cats
PetArmor Plus is a topical treatment containing Fipronil and (S)-methoprene, which are both potent ingredients for getting rid of fleas and all their life stages.
Fleas are known carriers of worms, and when cats groom themselves, they may eat fleas and the worms they were infested with. PetArmor provides your cat with 30 days of protection and up to 12 weeks of long-lasting protection against flea eggs and flea larvae.
It is best to give this topical treatment to cats over eight weeks of age and weigh more than 1.5 pounds to avoid an accidental overdose. Be sure to reapply the flea treatment every 30 days to ensure year-long protection.
Pros
- Available in 3-month and 6-month supplies
- Waterproof
Cons
- Should only be reapplied after 30 days have passed to avoid skin irritations
Prevent worms from even getting inside of your cat by providing them the monthly protection power of PetArmor Plus for Cats.
3. Pro-Sense
Pro-Sense Liquid Cat Dewormer provides an at-home remedy to get rid of roundworms.
Key Features
- Affects roundworms
- Can be fed directly or in food
- Easy to follow instructions
Pro-Sense provides you with an easy to administer alternative dewormer you can apply in the comfort of your home. This dewormer specifically targets roundworms, which can cause many stomach issues and can potentially infect humans in the house.
Since it is a liquid dewormer, you can easily mix it into your cat’s food if they are not the best at taking medicine directly.
According to instructions, the dewormer should be administered again 14 days after the initial dose to flush our any remaining worms. You can then administer the dewormer once every month to be sure your cat will not be infested with worms again.
Pros
- Safe to use on cats and kittens of all breeds if they are over six weeks of age
Cons
- Kittens under six weeks of age should not be dewormed with this treatment
You can keep roundworms from infesting your cat again with monthly treatments of Pro-Sense Liquid Cat Dewormer.
4. HomeoPet
HomeoPet Feline WRM Clear Cat Supplement is a natural alternative to traditional medical dewormers.
Key Features
- Homeopathic treatment
- Chemical-free
- Fast-acting
HomeoPet takes inspiration from hundreds of years of natural medicine therapy to create their all-natural dewormer. They do not use any of the standard chemicals used in dewormers, which means there are fewer side effects to worry about.
The homeopathic liquid works gently to remove hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms, and whipworms and to reduce the chance of a re-infestation by suppressing egg production.
No sedation or force-feeding is required since it is easy to administer liquid that can be put directly in the mouth or mixed in food and water. Within two weeks, the worm infestation should be no more.
Pros
- Seems to have little to no side effects
- Made in the USA
- Registered with the FDA
Cons
- May not be useful on a severe worm infestation
If you do not want to risk harming your cat with chemical dewormers, give them the chemical-free option of HomeoPet Feline WRM Clear Cat Supplement.
5. Excel
Excel Roundworm De-Wormer effectively removes large roundworms in both cats and kittens.
Key Features
- Removes roundworms
- Vanilla-flavored
- Easy to administer
Excel uses Piperazine Citrate to kill worms, which affects the muscle response and nerves in the worm to cause paralysis and eventually death. The dewormer effectively removes large roundworms, including Toxocara Canis and Toxascaris Leonine.
A convenient dosing cup will help make sure that you are giving the right amount of the liquid according to their body weight. You should give 1/4 teaspoon per 2.5lbs of your cat’s weight.
After the first dose, give your cat a second dose in two weeks and administer it to your cat every month to prevent a re-infestation. The vanilla-flavored liquid can be administered as-is or added to your cat’s food.
Pros
- Does not need to be refrigerated after opening
Cons
- Should only be given to cats six weeks and older
You will have an easier time removing roundworms in your cat when they take their dose of Excel Roundworm De-Wormer.
6. Hartz
Hartz UltraGuard Rid Worm Liquid Cat Treatment effectively removes roundworm infestations from your cat or kitten.
Key Features
- Easy to administer solution
- Removes adult roundworms and their eggs
- Can be given to adult cats and kittens
Hartz UltraGuard uses Piperazine Citrate to kill and flush roundworms out of a cat’s body. Per every tablespoon, there is 275 mg of Piperazine Citrate, which is enough to kill worms while leaving your cat unaffected.
When you first administer the treatment to your cat, make sure that they have a snack or a meal after to avoid an upset stomach.
It is recommended to give the treatment again in 14 days to be sure the worms and eggs have been flushed out of your cat. If you still see worms after the second dose, you can give it to your cat one more time 14 days after the second dose.
Pros
- Can be given directly or mixed in food
- Does not need to be refrigerated after opening
Cons
- Should only be given to cats eight weeks and older
Your cat will have little to no issues with roundworms once you start treating them with Hartz UltraGuard Rid Work Liquid Cat Treatment.
7. Remedi
Remedi Animal Solutions Alternative Wormer gives you multiple ways to administer the dewormer to your cat.
Key Features
- All-natural blend
- Multiple ways to administer
- Proprietary formula
Remdi Animal Solutions has created a proprietary formula with higher potencies than other dewormers to rid and protect cats from pesky worms.
Though the ingredients have higher potencies, all of the ingredients are natural, making it safe for cats of all breeds to use. You can administer this treatment to your cat in one of three ways, sprayed orally, rubbed inside their mouths, or administered in water.
Give the remedy to your cat once a day for seven days, then once a month to remove worms and prevent the worms from coming back.
Pros
- Contains 100 doses per bottle
- Antibiotic and drug-free
Cons
- Has not been lab-tested, only field-tested, so results may vary from cat to cat
To avoid pumping more chemicals into your cat, treat their worm issue with the natural formula of Remedi Animal Solutions Alternative Wormer.
8. NaturePet D
NaturePet D Wormer Supplement provides natural protection in your cat to keep them from getting worms again.
Key Features
- Kills and repels four different worms
- Uses natural ingredients
- Promotes positive digestive health
NaturePet D Wormer uses a natural blend of wormwood, black walnut hull, black cumin seed, sage, fennel seed, and papaya leaf to get rid of worms. This combination of ingredients is strong enough to remove and protect against pinworms, whipworms, tapeworms, and roundworms.
Your cat’s stomach will also benefit as the supplement will support a healthy digestive system and alleviate any gas issues. It is best to give the liquid dewormer directly into your cat’s mouth so that your cat will get the full effect of the supplement.
You will need to give the medication twice a day when you notice worms in your cat’s stool for about a week or up to 2-4 weeks, depending on the severity of the infestation.
Pros
- Can be used as a supplement to prevent worm re-infestation
Cons
- Pet owners must be cautious not to overdose when giving this treatment to their pets
Stay on top of keeping worms away from your cat by supplementing them with NaturePet D Wormer Supplement.
9. Profender
If your cat is not a fan of oral medical treatments, treat their worm infestation with Profender Topical Solution for Cats.
Key Features
- Alternative to oral dewormers
- Provides 30-days of protection
- Protects against hookworms, roundworms, and tapeworms
Profender is the only FDA-approved topical dewormer for cats. Unlike other dewormers, it is one of the few that can remove the immature stages of parasitic worms.
It uses a combination of emodepside, to remove adult and immature roundworms and hookworms, and praziquantel to remove all stages of tapeworms. The topical treatment goes on like your typical flea treatment, where it is applied on the back and rubbed in the skin.
It is then absorbed by the cat’s skin and passed through the body to attack and flush out any worms. You can apply this treatment to your cat every 30 days, even if your cat no longer has worms.
By keeping up with the monthly dosage, it will prevent a re-infestation.
Pros
- Does not need to be ingested to take effect
Cons
- Harmful if ingested
- Needs to be prescribed by a veterinarian
Profender Topical Solution for Cats provides a topical alternative to remove and prevent worm infestations in cats.
10. Heartgard
Although Heartgard Chewable Tablets for Cats are given to get rid of heartworms, it can also remove hookworms.
Key Features
- Targets hookworms
- Chewable tablet
- Can be given monthly
Each Heartgard pill contains 165mg of Ivermectin to combat heartworm and hookworm infestation in cats. Heartgard removes adult and immature hookworms A. braziliense and Ancylostoma tubaeforme.
It is a tasty, beef-flavored tablet that your cat should take and eat without you having to pill them. If the tablet is too big for your cat’s mouth, you can break it down into smaller to eat pieces to feed directly or hide in your cat’s food.
The tablet should be given to your cat monthly to flush out the hookworms completely and to prevent a re-infestation.
Pros
- Can be broken down if cats have a hard time eating large tablets
Cons
- Needs a veterinarian prescription to purchase
Your cat will have monthly protection from heartworms and hookworms when given Heartgard Chewable Tablets for Cats.
11. Revolution
Cats can get worms from ingesting fleas, so prevent fleas from even getting on your cat by using Revolution Topical Solution for Cats.
Key Features
- Protects against hookworms and roundworms
- Provides 30-days of protection
Revolution uses Selamectin to prevent fleas from getting on your cat and protect against hookworms and roundworms. Compared to other deworming treatments, this is applied topically, not ingested by your cat.
When using the treatment, make sure that you rub it into your cat’s skin as the treatment is meant to be absorbed and released back onto your cat’s skin through the cat’s natural oils.
Each treatment provides 30 days of protection. So long as you are applying to topical treatment every 30 days, your cat will have full protection against fleas and will not be re-infested by hookworms or roundworms.
Pros
- Available in 3-month and 6-month supplies
Cons
- Needs a veterinary prescription to purchase
Revolution Topical Solution protects your cats for up to 30 days per dose from hookworm and roundworms carried by fleas.
12. Advantage Multi
Advantage Multi can be used to prevent and protect your cats against hookworm and roundworm infections.
Key Features
- Protects against hookworms and roundworms
- Provides 30-days of protection
Advantage Multi uses Imidacloprid and Moxidectin, which attacks the nerves of pests and prevents pests from re-infecting cats.
This topical flea treatment provides 30-days of protection, and so long as you are consistently reapplying the treatment every 30 days, your cat will have year-long protection against hookworms and roundworms.
When you apply the topical treatment, be sure to let it dry thoroughly and avoid bathing your cat for at least a week so the treatment can take full effect in protecting your cat.
Pros
- Can be given to cats weighing more than two pounds
Cons
- Needs a veterinary prescription to purchase
- Pets should not be bathed immediately after the treatment to prevent washing it off
Fleas can make your cat more than itchy; they can also infect them with worms. Advantage Multi Topical Solution for Cats will help prevent worm infestations.
13. Drontal
If you are not sure of what worms your cat has, Drontal for Cats gets rid of all three types of worms.
Key Features
- Gets rid of three types of worms
- Can be given directly or with food
- Typically needs one dose
Each tablet of Drontal contains 18.2mg of Praziquantel and 72.6mg of Pyrantel Pamoate. Due to the combination of medications, Drontal can effectively remove tapeworms, hookworms, and large roundworms in both cats and kittens.
You can administer the tablet to your cat directly, or you can crumble it up in your cat’s favorite food or treat. Do be sure that your cat does not eat the dewormer on an empty stomach as it can cause stomach upset.
This broad-spectrum dewormer should only be given to cats two months and older with a veterinarian prescription to ensure accurate dosing.
Pros
- Veterinary recommended to remove worms
Cons
- May cause some side effects like vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite
- Needs a veterinarian prescription to purchase
For a full spectrum deworming, ask your veterinarian about giving your cat Drontal for Cats.
14. Interceptor
Interceptor Broad Spectrum Parasiticide is a monthly treatment you can give your cat to prevent them from getting worms.
Key Features
- Protects against hookworms and roundworms
- Can be given monthly
- Can be fed alone or mixed with food
Interceptor’s parasiticide tablets are a flavorful tablet that can be given directly to your cat or crumbled and incorporated into their food. The tablets contain 5.75mg of Milbemycin Oxime, which is a broad-spectrum dewormer used in the veterinary world.
In this pill, the Milbemycin Oxime will prevent heartworms and remove both adult roundworms and hookworms. You can give this parasiticide to your cat monthly for long-lasting protection.
Even if your cat does not have worms when you provide them with the pill, the medication will not harm them and safely pass through their system.
Pros
- Can protect against heartworms
Cons
- Should not be given to cats under four weeks and weighing less than two pounds
- Needs veterinarian prescription
By providing your cat Interceptor Broad Spectrum Parasiticide monthly, it will help keep them from catching any of the three worms it protects from.
15. Cestex
Cestex Tablets effectively removes tapeworms from your cats.
Key Features
- Removes tapeworms
- Easy to administer
- Pets do not need to fast
Cextex uses Epsiprntel to incapacitate tapeworms and force them to loosen their grip on the intestine walls. The tapeworms are then destroyed in the digestive system alongside with any eggs they may be carrying.
Cextex effectively removes both forms of feline tapeworms, Dipylidium caninum, and Taenia taeniaeformis. You should administer 1.25mg per pound of your cat’s weight, which you can purchase the pill size to your cat’s weight.
Cats do not need to have an empty stomach to take the medicine as the food will not disrupt the medicinal properties of the pill. Give the tablet directly to your cat or crumble it and add it to their food.
Pros
- Can be given to cats of all breeds and sizes
Cons
- Should not be given to pets under seven weeks of age
- Needs a veterinarian referral to purchase
Give your cat a Cestex Tablet to completely remove tapeworms from your cat before they can harm their bodies.
Key Information about Cat Dewormers
Before choosing a deworming treatment, let’s take a look at the different worms cats can get, how they get them, and the standard medical treatments to get rid of the infestation.
Types of Worms in Cats
Roundworms
Roundworms are round, long, white worms that make their homes free swimming in the intestines of cats. Roundworms are the most common intestinal parasites cats get (1).
Almost all cats will be infected with roundworms, whether it is spread to them from their mother or they eat something that has the worms on it.
There are two types of roundworms cats can get that look and behave similarly, but have different life cycles.
Toxocara cati is the most common form of roundworm typically seen in kittens. Kittens get these worms after ingesting the larvae through their mother’s milk. But adult cats can also get these worms by ingesting contaminated foods or bugs.
When the eggs are ingested, they hatch inside of the digestive system, grow, reproduce, and pass out in your cat’s stool alive or dead. Toxascara leonine is mostly seen in older cats and does not affect human beings as Toxocara cati can.
Eggs of these roundworms are shed in the cat’s stool, and once eaten or passed onto a new cat, the eggs hatch, the larvae grow, and drop more eggs to continue the cycle.
Tapeworms
Tapeworms are long, flat, white worms with hook-like mouths. Tapeworms use their hooked mouths to latch onto the small intestine and feed on nutrients passed through your cat. A mature tapeworm can reach up to 8-inches long, but you will most likely see smaller segments in the stool or around your cat’s anus, and they can even wiggle their way through your cat’s fur.
Since the tapeworms eat the nutrients passing through your cat, they prevent your cat from having a healthy body, which then results in weight loss, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Hookworms
Hookworms are small, thin worms measuring less than an inch long. They have specialized mouthparts that help them attach onto intestinal walls. They feed on blood and tissue and detach to move to different spots to feed, leaving behind ulcers. They grow and reproduce inside of the cat’s intestines, with the eggs passing into the cat’s stool to infect more cats.
Many hookworm symptoms are not fatal, but they can cause life-threatening blood loss in kittens with heavy infections.
How Do Cats Get Worms?
The most common way cats get worms is through ingesting. Worm eggs are passed through the cat’s stool, where they remain as eggs or hatch into larvae.
If the eggs hatch and the larvae spread, cats can easily lick them up by licking contaminated grounds, or by grooming themselves if they happen to pick up worms on their fur or paw pads.
If the worms are not eaten directly once they get into the cat, they migrate through the muscle tissues until they reach the lungs, force the cats to cough them up, and are them swallowed down into the cat’s stomach and intestines.
Cats can also get worms if they eat an infected animal or bug. Since worms, their larvae, and eggs are hearty vermin, they do not die if their host animal dies. Instead, they take advantage to move onto the new host and spread their infection into them.
Cats can also get worms by ingesting fleas while grooming. It only takes one flea to cause an infestation in your cat, and since cats are tedious groomers, there is a high chance they have eaten more than one flea and created a larger worm infection.
Kittens who get worms most likely got them from their mother. Worms such as tapeworms may stop their migration through the cat’s body in the liver of the cat, where they enter a dormant state.
When the mother cat starts to produce milk, the dormant larvae wake and are secreted into the milk as the kittens nurse, thus causing them to get infected.
How To Get Rid of Worms in Cats
Treating worms in your cats is a simple process. The easiest thing you can do is take your cat to the vet, have them diagnose what types of worms they have, and follow the treatments exactly.
Some worm treatments may require you to give your cat an initial dose, and then give them a second dose in two or three weeks.
There are some over the counter preventative treatments you can give your cat, but they will not stop an infection if your cat is already infected with worms. Another easy way to get rid of worms in your cats is to get rid of fleas.
By keeping your cat on regular flea treatments, be it topically or orally, it can prevent fleas from getting on your get and spreading worms, and they can start killing off any living worms in your cat.
Some deworming treatments may only affect adult worms and not larvae, so depending on how intense the infestation is, you may need to do multiple treatments or a different variety of deworming treatments to get rid of the worm infestation completely.
Bottom Line
Worms that attack your fluffy loved ones are vermin that need to be taken care of as soon as possible.
If it is the first time you are dealing with worms in your cat, it is highly suggested to get a sample of the worm-infested waste and make an appointment with your vet to identify the worms and get the proper treatment for them.
But, if you have dealt with worms previously, then you can use this list of cat dewormers to obtain the correct medicine for the worms you are dealing with. Do try to be careful when dealing with worms in cats as it can be easily spread to other cats, pets, and even to people.
If possible, isolate the infected cat with its own litter box until the deworming treatment is complete, or you no longer see any worms in your cat’s stool. By taking these precautions and seeking out the correct procedure, your cat will be feeling better in no time, and the pesky worms will be a thing of the past.
Be sure to visit the LifeStyle Reviews homepage for all your cat product needs.
References
- Cornell Feline Health Centre. 2018. Gastrointestinal Parasites of Cats,
https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/gastrointestinal-parasites-cats
The Review
Cat Dewormers
Choosing the right dewormer for your cat is easy with our detailed reviews & ratings
Review Breakdown
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Bayer
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Pet Armor
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Prosense
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Homeo Pet
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Excel
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Hartz
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Remedi
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NaturPet
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Profender
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Heartgard
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Revolution
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Bayer
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Drontal
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Interceptor
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Cestex
