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Cats are very clean animals, they pay a lot of attention to their hygiene but that doesn't mean they are protected from parasites like fleas. If the cat goes outside or lives with other animals then it is likely to have them. These parasites, both internal and external, can affect our cat and cause serious illness.
For this reason it is essential deworm regularly our pet. Read on and find out how you can protect your cat from parasites.
In this article by PeritoAnimal we will explain the importance of correctly deworm your cat. It is a key element in your cat's health and with the proper treatment we can get rid of these problems.
External deworming
At fleas and ticks are the main parasites that can affect your cat. If you go out frequently you will be more exposed, but although your cat does not leave the house, it is recommended to protect it. These parasites can be seen with the naked eye and the cat will scratch more than usual. It is important to clean the blankets or bedding you use if you notice that you have fleas or ticks.
There are several ways available for sale to externally deworm your cat and each protects it in different ways:
- Pipettes: It is administered on the back of the cat's neck, where it cannot be licked. It is not necessary to spread it, it protects the whole body of the cat after a few minutes. It serves as a treatment to eliminate possible existing parasites and as a prevention. Depending on the brand, the time between doses can vary and usually comes in three measures or more depending on the cat's weight. There are also pipettes that deworm both externally and internally.
- shampoo: Used as a treatment, they eliminate an infestation but are not useful as a prevention.
- Anti-parasitic collars: Prevent fleas from attaching but do not protect for a long time. If your cat is not used to wearing a collar this can be a problem.
- pills: The tablets are used in special cases such as very small puppies or pregnant cats.
- Sprays: The sprays are sprayed over the animal's entire body. Its effectiveness is between 2-4 weeks and is usually used in small cats.
Choose the one that best suits your cat's needs. There may be differences in composition depending on the brands, but most protect effectively.
Internal deworming
Internal parasites affect a cat's digestive system, causing serious problems if not acted on in time. Flat worms such as tapeworm and round worms are usually the most frequent in cats and can trigger serious deficiencies. Also, a cat with internal parasites can infect others and itself through the feces. One stool analysis will reveal the presence of these parasites.
Existing methods for sale do not prevent against these parasites, they only eliminate the existing ones, so we should administer them more often:
- pills: It is the most used method, your veterinarian will tell you the most appropriate for your cat. You can mix them with food to make it easier to take.
- Injections: In special cases, your veterinarian may administer the medication via the bloodstream.
- Liquid: Orally, it is given with a needleless syringe directly into the mouth.
- Pipettes: There are pipettes that deworm both internally and externally.
Read our complete guide on dewormer for cats.
When do I start treatment and how often?
External deworming:
We must protect our cat against external parasites from an early age, talk to your veterinarian and choose the method that best suits your cat. You can use a spray in the first months of life and in adulthood use pipettes.
Depending on the product chosen, the protection time may vary. If your cat lives indoors and does not usually go outside or socialize with other cats, you can apply a pipette. Every 3 months. If your cat goes outside a lot and interacts with others, you can shorten the time between doses to month and a half.
Internal deworming:
The first administration will be at 6 weeks to live of your cat. If your cat is a puppy, your veterinarian will advise you on the schedule for deworming and vaccinations. The animal must always be dewormed internally before each vaccination.
Your veterinarian will inform you of the recommended doses for your puppy. Remember that the first 3-4 months of life is when your cat receives the most important vaccinations. During the first 6 months it should be dewormed monthly, after Every 3 months is enough.
If you have just adopted an adult cat, you can carry out both external and internal deworming at home. Although it is an apparently healthy cat we should make sure that we eliminate any parasites it may have. Thus, we do not only protect other house cats, but also humans, since there are diseases such as feline toxoplasmosis that can affect humans.
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.