Deworming cats When to do it?

If you have a cat there are a series of clinical cares that you must take into account to make sure it has a full health. One of the most common problems among kittens are parasites, so the first deworming is essential.

Deworming is the necessary process to eliminate from the digestive system or coat of your pet the different parasites it may have. It is a very important process, because if you do not deworm your cat its health can seriously worsen and it can infect other animals and even people. It is contagious so it is another reason to proceed with deworming as soon as possible.

Types of parasites we combat when deworming cats

There are two very different types of parasites depending on where they are located:

  • Internal parasites. They are found inside the body, mainly in the intestine, but also in the heart and lungs, among other organs. The most common are protozoa and intestinal worms, which can cause serious obstructions and wounds in the intestine. Their symptoms are fatigue, cough, swollen abdomen, lack of appetite, diarrhea and vomiting. You should be especially careful with these parasites if your cat is a puppy, as they can cause growth retardation.
  • External parasites. Also called ectoparasites, they live on the outside of the animals, either on the skin, on the hair or in the ears. The best known are the famous fleas, which are really annoying for the animal and feed on blood hidden in the fur. This group also includes mites (which cause mange), ticks and lice.

External deworming of cats

There are several métodos para desparasitar gatos. For external parasites you can find flea combs, tweezers to remove ticks, special shampoos, pipettes, collars or antiparasitic sprays for cats and even household products with insecticides.

Internal deworming of cats

For internal parasites there are also different formats: tablets or pills to deworm cats, pastes or even pipettes, which are ideal for adult cats to which it is “mission impossible” to give them something by mouth. It is therefore essential that when your cat is small and you need to deworm it, that you do it as soon as possible, since kittens are much more vulnerable than adult cats.

Whether it is an adult cat or a puppy, it is important that you first go to your veterinarian for advice and to know what is best for your pet. Remember that each cat is different and requires different care.

How to deworm cats?

When it comes to treating external parasites, flea collars are usually quite effective. The only drawback is that most of them are recommended for kittens that are already 4-10 weeks old. If your cat is much younger, there are other flea spray products that can be applied to two-day-old cats with great safety for the little one.

If you’ve been to the vet and been given a treatment for your kitty’s internal parasites you’ll be faced with the task of how to give a cat medication. Not knowing how to deworm cats can turn into a real battle royale. Cats are very stubborn and, if they are not calm, they may try to defend themselves from your “attack” with nails and teeth. Learn how to calm your cat with these simple steps so you can administer the medicine comfortably:

  • Wrap your catUse a small sheet, thin blanket or towel to wrap him, leaving only his head exposed. You should do this in a calm manner so that he is also calm.
  • Place him between your legs or sitting on your lapThis way your cat will be comfortable and calm between your arms, and you will be able to have more control over him. This will make the process much easier.
  • Hold his headPlace your thumb and forefinger on both sides of his mouth. You must be careful, as his reaction may be to try to bite you when he feels “threatened”.
  • Open his mouthApply a little pressure gently to get your cat to open his mouth. Remember to be calm. If he notices you tense or nervous, he will be uneasy too.
  • Place the medication in his mouthDrop your cat’s deworming medication on the back of his tongue.
  • Help him swallowRelease your cat’s mouth while still holding his muzzle and lift his jaw. Gently rub his throat to create the need to swallow, holding the position for a few seconds until you are sure he has swallowed.
  • Once you are sure he has swallowed the medication, you can let go of his muzzle, but it is best to keep him on your lap for a few minutes. This will ensure that he doesn’t spit it out without you noticing.
  • Congratulate him on his good work! After a few minutes you can let him go. It is important that you congratulate your cat for his good behavior and remove the sheet or blanket while you continue praising him. The more affection and rewards you give him, the more positive his reaction will be in the future. He will associate the process as something good, calm and relaxing. On the other hand, if you stress, it may become increasingly difficult to worm your cat.

If you follow these tips you will be able to deworm cats in a comfortable way and it will be a positive activity for both of you. Your pet will be calm and happy to be on your lap.

You can use these steps when you need to give your kitten any other type of medication. They are very useful tips that will make many future problems easier for you.

How often is a cat dewormed?

Knowing how to deworm cats is very important, but so is knowing when to do it. The ideal is to deworm a cat for the first time between one and a half and 4 months of life, with a dose at 6 weeks, another at 8 weeks and then at 3 and 4 months. However, when we get very baby kittens, weaned early, it may be necessary to do it at two or three weeks of life with paste or syrup for the internal and spray for the external.

Afterwards, deworming will be repeated at least twice a year in adult cats, but it is recommended to do it every 3 months. This will also depend on where they live and the risk of infestation; it is not the same for a house cat, in which deworming every 6 months could be enough, than for a cat with access to the outside, which is more exposed.

Take a look at our comparativa entre pipetas, collares y sprays for deworming cats and choose the option that best suits your feline’s needs. You can also visit the post of mejores antiparasitarios para perros y gatos for more information.

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