Wormers for cats: tips against the annoying parasites
Cats often become infected with worms. The endoparasites can cause numerous symptoms in affected animals and are also very contagious. Treatment with worming agents that are suitable for cats is therefore essential.
In the following, we will explain how such worming treatment works and what you need to pay attention to when worming your cat.
Worms are extremely uncomfortable for cats
There are different worms species that can affect cats. Most of them live in the intestines. Apart from that, there are also some types of worms that affect other organs, such as the respiratory tract or the bladder.
The following worms are common in cats:
- Roundworms
- Tapeworms
- Lungworms
- Hookworms
- Bladder worms
- Heartworms
It is normally hardly possible to completely prevent worm infestation in cats. The parasites are transmitted when the cat ingests worm larvae or worm eggs. This can happen, for example, through eating mice and other small prey, or through contact with infected faeces.
Worms can cause numerous health problems, especially in weakened cats. These include diarrhoea and vomiting, weight loss, and a dull coat. In addition, the bothersome
parasites are extremely contagious. Transmission to humans can sometimes also be possible. This is another reason why affected cats should be wormed as soon as possible.
Why regular worming of cats makes sense
Not every cat that has become infected with worms develops visible symptoms. Healthy, fully grown animals often cope with the worm infestation quite well, so that it is sometimes only recognized late. This means that your cat can spread the annoying parasites and infect other four-legged friends with them.
It is therefore absolutely advisable not only to worm cats when the worm infestation manifests itself with visible symptoms, but instead to administer suitable worming agents at regular intervals as a preventive measure.
Worming of indoor and outdoor cats
How often worming should take place depends in particular on the housing conditions of the cat. Cats with outdoor access are exposed to a significantly higher risk of worm infections through contact with other felines and the regular consumption of small prey such as birds and mice. The prophylactic administration of a worming agent is therefore usually recommended for them every three months.
In purely indoor cats, however, the probability of a worm infestation is comparatively low. Nonetheless, four-legged friends who are exclusively in the house can also become infected with worms. However, due to the lower risk, it is sufficient for them to be wormed approximately every six months.
How do wormers work for cats?
The active substances contained in worming medication usually ensure that the parasites in the cat's body die and are gradually excreted. As a result, it usually does not take too long until the worm infection is completely eliminated.
Are wormers harmful to cats?
Worming agents are now better tolerated by cats than they used to be. Nonetheless, they can sometimes represent a considerable burden for the organism of the four-legged friend.
It is therefore possible that worming treatments cause side effects in cats. In addition, regular administration can lead to the build-up of resistance, which in turn reduces the effectiveness of the worming agent.
Worming of cats only if there is evidence of worm infestation
In order to keep the burden on the cat's organism as low as possible and to avoid undesirable side effects that can occur through the administration of a worming agent, some cat owners generally refrain from prophylactic worming.
In order to detect a possible worm infestation early, it is advisable to have a veterinarian check regularly whether the cat's faeces contain worms and then to give the four-legged friend a worming agent if necessary.
Please note, however, that your cat does not shed worms every time it passes its stools. Collecting faecal samples over several days is therefore essential for reliable test results.
In spite of the increased effort and the additional costs associated with the faecal examinations, this procedure is a good alternative to the regular prophylactic administration of a worming agent, especially in the case of purely indoor cats.
Natural wormers for cats
In addition to classic wormers with chemical active ingredients, there are now also various natural worming agents that are possible alternatives. These preparations contain a number of herbal ingredients which are supposed to create an intestinal environment in cats that is hostile to worms.
Since such worming agents do not require chemicals, they are normally much more tolerable and therefore a possible alternative, which cat owners can use especially for preventive administration.
Worming agents for cats - our conclusion
As you can see, worm infections in cats are not something that you, the owner, can simply ignore. To protect your four-legged friend from the possible consequences of an infestation, there are various worming products for cats to choose from. These can either be used preventively or only in the event of an actual worm infestation.
If you want to worm your cat prophylactically at regular intervals, you should be aware of the side effects and risks associated with the administration of wormer cures. After all, the wormer should improve your cat's health and not cause it unnecessary damage.
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