Cat wormer products control or eradicate parasites that can cause discomfort, disease and possibly death. Cats contract worms while in the uterus, or after birth by exposure to infected mother's milk, prey, vomit or excrement. Signs of parasitic infestation include diarrhea, vomiting and worms, or worm pieces, found in feces or vomit. If you suspect your cat is suffering from a worm infestation, take a fresh sample of feces or vomit to your vet, who will recommend or prescribe the appropriate wormer for your cat.Cat wormers come in tablet, liquid, powder, paste and topical varieties. Some wormers are available in generic formulations.
Types of Feline Worm Infestations and Symptoms
Worms may cause negligible to extreme symptoms in your cat. Here are the main types of feline worm infestation and the symptoms they cause:
- Heartworms, which affect the circulatory and respiratory systems, cause serious illness and possibly sudden death, with or without symptoms, including vomiting, coughing, lethargy, anorexia, weight loss.
- Roundworms, which live in the small intestines, cause diarrhea, vomiting, a pot-bellied appearance and poor growth.
- Hookworms, which feed on blood from the walls of the small intestines, cause bloody diarrhea, weight loss, anemia, and progressive weakness.
- Whipworms, which feed on blood from the walls of the the large intestines, cause few symptoms in cats.
- Tapeworms, which attach to intestinal walls, cause progressive debilitation.
Broad-Spectrum Wormers
Here is a list of broad-spectrum wormers, which treat more than one type of parasitic infestation:
- Drontal tablets, containing Praziquantel and Pyrantel Pamoate, treat tapeworms, hookworms and roundworms.
- Profender Red Allwormer, a topical liquid applied directly on your cat's skin at the base of the head, treats roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms.
- Interceptor Flavor Tabs, administered orally once a month, prevent heartworm disease and treat hookworms, roundworms and whipworms.
- Valucat Wormer Paste for Cats treats roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms. The paste is administered in three ways: placed by syringe in the back of the mouth; mixed with food; rubbed on the forepaw to be licked off.
Parasite-Specific Wormers
Here is a list of parasite-specific feline wormers, which target one type of parasitic infestation:
- Erliworm, chewable tablets, treat large roundworms.
- Wormeze Liquid Feline Dewormer, mixed in food or drinking water, treats large roundworms.
- D-Worm Liquid for Cats, mixed with food, treats roundworms.
- Tape Worm Tabs treat two types of tapeworms infesting cats-carried by fleas and rodents.
Preventative Wormers
These are preventative feline wormers, also taken to treat other types of worms:
- Revolution, a topical medication applied to the skin once a month, prevents heartworm disease by controlling fleas and treats hookworms and roundworms.
- Advantage Multi, a paste applied between the shoulder blades, prevents heartworm disease and treats various intestinal worms.
Natural Wormers
Holistic feline wormers contain all-natural ingredients. Holistic Blend Natural Wormer-containing betel nut, polporus mylittae, pumpkin seed, garlic, wormwood, rhizoma rhei, mint leaf, clove, green hull black walnut and cellulase-expels tapeworms, hookworms, roundworms and other parasites from your cat's system. The field of natural feline wormers is expanding. Ask your vet about the newest options.
Homeopathic Wormers
Homeopathic feline wormers contain nosodes, derived from actual parasites taken from infected animals, stimulate the body's immune system in fighting off roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, tapeworms and other parasites. Seek your vet's guidance in administering homeopathic wormers to your cat.