There are many products available to prevent parasites and worms in cats and pets, made by different companies. With so many options, it's no surprise that cat owners can feel a bit confused about what to use to get rid of worms and parasites in their cats.
 
Parasites and Worms in Cats What types of parasites and worms can affect cats? How can you prevent these parasites in house cats? Which prevention methods are the most effective, and most importantly, which are the safest?
 
We've put together a helpful guide on cat parasites, worms, and prevention products so you can make sure you're choosing the right product for your cat! Before you pick a prevention plan, you'll need to know exactly which parasites and worms your cat might be dealing with.
 
Types of Parasites and Worms in Cats There are several parasites that can worry cat owners:
 
 
 
Cat Fleas
 
 
These are small, wingless, blood-sucking insects that live on your cat’s body and lay eggs in the environment. They cause itching and skin inflammation.
 
 
 
 
Ticks
 
 
Another blood-sucking insect without wings. The paralysis tick injects a toxin that can be fatal. There are three types in Australia: the paralysis tick, the brown dog tick, and the bush tick. Only the paralysis tick is toxic.
 
 
 
 
Heartworms
 
 
These worms live in a cat’s blood and are spread by mosquitoes. Once infected, the larvae move to the heart and lungs, where they grow into adult worms in the chambers of the cat’s heart.
 
 
 
 
Preventing Worms in Cats
 
 
 
Fleas
 
 
These overly active bloodsuckers live on your cat's skin, where they breed and bite whenever they can. Infestations often cause flea dermatitis in cats, with symptoms like intense itching, sores, scabs, and hair loss.
 
 
Products that kill fleas in cats include:
 
 
Advantage, Advocate, Revolution, Revolution Plus, Seresto, Bravecto Plus, and Bravecto.
 
 
 
 
Ticks
 
 
Another bloodsucker found on the skin and coat of cats. The paralysis tick (Ixodes Holocyclus) is the most dangerous, and without tick antiserum from the vet, it can cause complete paralysis, pneumonia, pulmonary edema, heart failure, and eventually death. We recommend checking with your local vet clinic to see if ticks pose a risk to your cat and other pets. For outdoor cats, we suggest using Isoxazoline-based products like the ones below.
 
 
Products that kill ticks in cats include:
 
 
Bravecto, Bravecto Plus, and Revolution Plus.
 
 
Symptoms of tick or worm infections in cats may include:
 
 
Weakness, wobbliness, or loss of coordination in the hind legs, coughing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing, changes in meowing (volume or tone), loss of appetite, vomiting, excessive drooling.
 
 
 
 
Heartworms
 
 
These parasitic worms are transmitted by infected mosquitoes and are injected as larvae that travel to the heart and lungs.
 
 
Although less common in cats than dogs, there is no direct treatment for heartworms in cats, so prevention is essential. Monthly prevention is available in the form of tablets or topical treatments.
 
Products that prevent heartworms in cats include:
 
 
Milbemax, Advocate, Bravecto Plus, Revolution Plus, and Revolution.
 
 
 
 
Treating Worms in House Cats
 
 
 
Intestinal Worms
 
 
Hookworms, roundworms, and tapeworms are the most common intestinal worms in cats. Tapeworms are more common in cats than in dogs and often appear after a cat eats infected fleas. However, they can also be transmitted by consuming raw meat or hunting prey that contains the parasite. Worming treatments for cats are available in tablet form or as a topical treatment.
 
 
Symptoms of intestinal worms in cats may include:
 
 
Diarrhea, worm segments in the stool or around the anus, weight loss, bloated belly, vomiting, weakness, or anemia.
 
 
Products that kill worms in cats include:
 
 
Milbemax, Drontal, Advocate, Revolution, Bravecto Plus, Profender.
 
 
 
 
Topical vs. Oral Treatments for Cats
 
Which is better: topical or oral treatments?
 
Topical Treatments
If your cat is difficult and stubborn, spits out its medication, and avoids wet foods, topical treatments might be the way to go. These are applied to the skin on the back of the neck, so the cat can’t lick it off, or they spread through the top layer of fat or are absorbed into the bloodstream to cover the whole body. Applying topical treatments may be easier, especially if your cat doesn’t handle pills well.
 
Your cat should be completely dry before applying a topical treatment, and you should avoid getting them wet for up to 48 hours after application. Fortunately, most cats don’t like water anyway! But keep an eye on the weather in case of rain.
 
Oral Treatments
Oral treatments won’t be affected if your cat gets wet before or after treatment. However, there are limited options available for oral treatments that control fleas, and there are many treatments for worms, but not many oral options that cover all conditions together.
 
Treatment Options for Indoor Cats
Indoor cats are less likely to be exposed to fleas, ticks, and some intestinal worms. However, your indoor cat can still get fleas if you have dogs or neighboring wild animals. Exposure to worm eggs can also happen from dirt on your shoes or clothes. Heartworms pose a risk to all indoor cats because they are spread by mosquitoes, which can easily enter your home.
 
We usually recommend one of the following products for treating worms in indoor cats:
 
Your vet may prescribe an oral or injectable worm treatment that will kill adult worms and larvae in the intestines at the time of diagnosis. Preion medications like Panacur (fenbendazole) and Drontal Plus (pyrantel, praziquantel, fenbendazole) can be used to treat hookworms, roundworms, whipworms, and tapeworms, but they should be given carefully to your cat according to your vet’s instructions. Your cat may need multiple doses to kill any larvae that may have hatched after the first dose.
 
Praziquantel is also available as a one-time injection treatment for tapeworm infections, which works by paralyzing and detaching the worm from the intestinal wall, allowing the worms to pass in the stool. Your vet may also recommend starting your cat on monthly topical or oral flea prevention, as tapeworm infections can reoccur if there are fleas in your home environment.
 
Home Remedies for Cat Worms
 
There are many "home remedies" that might be effective in treating and preventing worms in cats, including garlic, apple cider vinegar, pumpkin seeds, carrots, and turmeric. However, it's never recommended to try treating your cat with over-the-counter or natural remedies for worms. While it may seem like a quicker and cheaper alternative to a vet visit, there's no guarantee that these products are safe or effective in treating any type of medical condition, and they could actually harm your cat.