The 7 Best Cat Dewormers

Reviews

Bayer Drontal Cat Dewormer – Overall Winner
 

Drontal by Bayer is a broad-spectrum dewormer, which means it tackles a wide variety of parasites. It will specifically kill tapeworm, roundworm, and hookworm.

It is a tablet dewormer that is scored so that each tablet may be easily cut in half for more accurate dosage in kittens and small cats.

If your cat refuses the tablet, it can be crushed and mixed into food to make it more pleasant and increase the chances of success.

Although this medicine has been shown to be effective in many cats, it does not prevent reinfestation, which means you will have to treat the worms again if they reappear.

The tablet may be purchased separately, saving money on unneeded drugs, and its ability to combat different types of parasites makes it our choice for the best overall cat dewormer.

Pros

• Reasonable cost
• The tablet can be easily divided.
• A broad-spectrum dewormer is effective against a variety of parasites.

Cons

• A prescription is required.
• Doesn’t keep reinfestation at bay.

 

Hartz UltraGuard Rid Worm Cat Dewormer is the best value on the market
 

Hartz UltraGuard Rid Worm Dewormer is a liquid dewormer that can be given directly to your cat or mixed into food or a favorite treat to make administration easier.

It does not require a prescription, and the quantity of the bottle ensures that you will have more than enough to last several months, even if you use it fortnightly, which may be necessary for stubborn infestations.

It is recommended that you only deworm a cat twice a year, unless otherwise advised, and Hartz recommends giving a second dosage 14 days after the first to guarantee that it gets rid of roundworm.

Liquid dewormer is simple to use, and this bottle is inexpensive, making it the best cat dewormer for the money.

It has also been shown to be effective against roundworm, however it should not be used to treat other parasites and requires a second dose.

Pros

• Liquid is simple to use.
• Cheap
• Bottle is of good size.

Cons

• After 14 days, reapplication is required.
• Only works on roundworms.

 

Tapeworm Dewormer for Cats by Bayer
 

The most prevalent infestation in cats is tapeworms. These microscopic white worms can be found in your cat’s feces, but they can also be found escaping from your cat’s anus while he or she is sleeping or in their bedding.

They are around the size of a rice grain. Although tapeworms are uncommon, they can be fatal in cats and kittens if left untreated for an extended period of time.

Bayer is a well-known name in the deworming and pet care industries, and their Dewormer for Tapeworms in Cats is our recommendation for the finest tapeworm medicine for cats.

It is fairly priced, available without a prescription, and can be used on both kittens and adult cats over the age of six weeks. It is a pill, but it can be crushed and mixed into food for difficult patients.

Pros

• Reasonable cost
• Tapeworms are effectively treated.
• After six weeks, it is safe to use.

Cons

• In tablet form
• Only works against tapeworms.

Buyer's Guide: Selecting The Best Cat Dewormer

Worms in your cat can be unpleasant for both you and your feline companion. They are most commonly discovered in excrement, but they can also be found on your cat or in their bed.

They are particularly frequent in the fur surrounding the anus, where they may crawl out when your cat is relaxed. Worms can potentially cause considerable distress and physical harm to your cat if left untreated.

Unfortunately, cats can and do get parasite infestations on a regular basis. While it is more frequent in outdoor cats, indoor cats can also take them up and require treatment.

We have reviewed the ten best cat dewormers that we feel are listed above: Continue reading to learn how we decided and what to look for when purchasing a dewormer for your cats.

Worm Classification

A variety of parasites, or worms, can infect your cat. Diarrhea and stomach upset are common symptoms, as are skin problems and listlessness. Your cat may also stop eating. The following are some of the most prevalent types of worms that require treatment and are treated by deworming solutions. If you already know what kind of worms your cat has, therapy will be far more effective because you may select a product that has been specifically created to combat that infestation.

• Ascarids, or roundworms, are the most prevalent parasitic worms in cats. They live in soil and can be found in your cat’s excrement after they reach adulthood. If you suspect your cat is infected, treat them as quickly as possible, and exercise particular caution while touching the litter box because the worms can travel from the feces to humans as well.
• Tapeworms are quite common in adult cats but are not usually a concern in kittens. They are transmitted from the stomach of fleas when your cat eats a flea, which is why many medications developed to treat tapeworms will also cure fleas and destroy flea larvae: it prevents reinfestation of roundworms because it cuts off the source. Tapeworms resemble microscopic grains of rice, and if you swallow a flea, you may become infected with them.
• Hookworms – Hookworms can infect cats, and the most common source of infection is a dog having the infestation. They dwell in the small intestine and devour blood, causing anemia in affected cats.
• Lungworms – As the name implies, these parasites assault your cat’s lungs. Because they are carried by snails and slugs, your cat is more prone to catch them during the wet season and in wet areas. The worms can be transmitted from one species to the next if the snail is eaten by another animal and your cat consumes that animal. Because lungworms live in the lungs, they might make your cat cough.
• Heartworm – Heartworms, which were formerly only seen in canines, have become increasingly widespread in cats. They are transmitted through mosquito bites. There are no proven heartworm treatments, and your cat should be able to get rid of them naturally over time.

Insect Infestations

Many of the treatments on our list can treat multiple types of worms, while others claim to treat additional parasites and infestations.

It is especially typical to see single treatments that target fleas, mites, and worms. If you spend extra for a product that cures all of these issues yet your cat does not require ear mite treatment, you may be overpaying.

On the other hand, some owners prefer to be proactive in dealing with such difficulties, and administering an ear mite treatment ensures that your cat is mite-free.

Worms’ Symptoms

Symptoms differ from cat to cat and, of course, from worm type to worm type. However, the most common symptoms are weight loss despite being bloated. If your cat is suddenly losing weight, you should take them to the vet because this could be a sign of a major illness or issue.

If your cat has a protruding tummy and its hair condition has deteriorated, this is an indication that your cat has parasites.

Diarrhea is another typical flea symptom, but any change in your cat’s bowel habits that is unexpected should be checked.

There are numerous worm species to be found. This is particularly true in your cat’s feces, where you may find the entire worm or pieces of it.

If you notice your cat dragging its bottom on the floor, it is likely that it has worms. It is frequently a symptom that the worms are irritating or causing pain around the anus.

Worms in Cats

Worms are commonly transmitted by other cats, dogs, mosquitos, snails, and soil.

Because a kitten rarely goes outside and only interacts with its littermates and parents, it can be unexpected to learn that your kitten has parasitic worms.

A kitten, on the other hand, can pick up worms from its mother as well as from your clothes and shoes.

Method of Application

Most dewormers are available in the following formulations or application methods. Each has advantages and disadvantages, and the best option is usually determined by what your cat finds acceptable.

• Tablet – The conventional way of application is the tablet. It is convenient and simple to administer if it can be fed whole. Many cats, however, refuse tablets; nonetheless, they can be crushed and mixed into food or a food treat to make them disappear more easily. For small cats and kittens, certain tablets can be broken in half.
• Chewable – A chewable capsule is one that is intended to be chewed before ingesting. Not all cats will eat chewable tablets, so make sure they have an appealing flavor or fragrance first.
• A liquid is a versatile kind of treatment. It can be blended with food or used to make a food-based delight. If it has no taste or odor, it could be administered directly or combined with water. However, some cures have a strong odor or flavor, making the liquid nearly impossible to administer.
• Topical simply indicates that the drug is administered to the skin. When it comes to dewormers and flea treatments, this usually involves a spot-on application. This is applied to the neck, between the shoulder blades, and then makes its way down the body organically. This form of treatment may necessitate the use of two sets of hands, one of which may need to be gloved.

Frequency of Application

A single dose of any therapy, regardless of brand, will not last a lifetime. Depending on the therapy, the degree of the infestation, and whether your cat leads a lifestyle that puts it at danger of reinfestation, you may need to provide many doses to guarantee that the medication is effective, and you may need to reapply it every month, two months, or six months. Check before you buy because this can make a significant difference in the annual expense of worming your cats.

Conclusion

Worms are widespread in both adult and kitten cats. They can induce stomach distress, diarrhea, and a variety of other physical problems.

They can also cause pain and make your cat drowsy. Treatment options for cats of all ages include liquids, tablets, chewable capsules, and topical therapies.

Therapy for different parasites is frequently required, and knowing which sort of worm has affected your cat might make treatment more effective.

While compiling our reviews, we discovered that Bayer’s Drontal was the greatest all-around dewormer, while Hartz UltraGuard Rid Worm Dewormer was the best value for money.

BestForPets (bestforpets.org) hopes this advice has assisted you in selecting the best cat dewormers.