One of the first things we do when we buy or adopt a cat is to deworm it. The most common way to get worms is on the street, when they come into contact with other animals, feces, food or infected water, but it can also happen to pets living in apartments or houses without access to the street. In addition to simple worms, they can be contaminated with tapeworms and roundworms.

It is very common for kittens to arrive to their new family with the first dose, which is done at 30 days of life, but this is not a rule. Therefore, it is always good to ask if they are already dewormed or to start prevention as soon as possible when you do not have the animal's history. Despite not having a strict schedule, it is good to know when the cat should be medicated, but the main thing is to always consult the doctor.To help you, we have prepared a list of the ages at which cats should be dewormed.

When to give your cat each dose of dewormer?

1st dose : the first dose should be given to the cat when it is 30 days old.

2nd and 3rd dose After the first dose, the cat should receive the 2nd and 3rd doses with an interval of 15 days between them, closing the first cycle of deworming.

Reinforcement Between the 3rd dose and the 6th month of the feline, the recommendation is to give the medicine at least 1x per month. After the 6th month, the dewormer should be given every 6 months. But this frequency may vary according to the cat's lifestyle and the place it lives. Cats that live at home and often walk on the streets or live with dogs that walk should be dewormed every 3 months. In cases of doubt,always consult your veterinarian.

What are the risks for cats if they do not get dewormed?

Worms can cause weakness, weight loss, lack of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea. Another very common symptom is the cat rubbing its bottom on the floor because of the itching caused by the worms. In kittens, when worms are not treated, the situation can worsen and even cause death.

Also keep an eye on the animal's poop: in some cases you can see the worms in the feces and even coming directly out of the cat's anus. Consult your veterinarian to treat the worm as soon as possible.

How to give pills to cats: learn some tricks

Giving medicine to your cat can be quite a chore, but there are a few ways to make the process easier:

Knead the tablet into the feed There are some medicines that cannot be changed in form, as this influences absorption.

Tablet applicator you can buy the accessory at the pet shop to help you in the process.

Putting the cat on your lap If your kitten has no problem being together, this is the time to put the tablet in the bottom of the animal's mouth and massage the throat to help swallowing.