Worms can cause serious health problems for cats, including weight loss, anemia, diarrhoea, vomiting, and even death in severe cases. Some worms can also be transmitted to humans, particularly children, which makes it important to keep your cat worm-free for the safety of your entire family.

Adult cats should be wormed at least every three months, while kittens and outdoor cats may need more frequent worming. Kittens should be wormed every two weeks until they are 12 weeks old, then monthly until they are six months old, and then every three months thereafter.

The most common types of worms found in cats are roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, and whipworms. Each type of worm has its own unique life cycle and method of transmission.

Cats can become infected with worms by ingesting contaminated soil or faeces, eating infected prey, or through contact with infected animals, such as fleas, rodents, possums or wildlife.

Some common signs include vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, weight loss, a swollen abdomen, and a dull coat. However, many cats may show no visible symptoms at all until further into the infection.

There are several types of worming treatments available for cats, including tablets and topical spot-on treatments. In our experience, the most effective worm treatment is by tablets. If your cat does not take a tablet, consider using a topical spot-on treatment such as Profender, Advocate, Revolution, Revolution Plus or Bravecto Plus.

Side effects to cat worming medication treatments are not common, although they are possible. Some cats may experience mild side effects from worming treatments, such as vomiting or diarrhoea. However, these side effects are usually short-lived and mild.

While it may not be possible to completely prevent your cat from getting worms, there are several steps you can take to minimise their risk of infection. These include keeping their living area clean, practising good hygiene, and regularly deworming your cat.