Why Deworming is Essential for Your Cat’s Lifelong Health
When we think about keeping our cats healthy, we often focus on nutrition, vaccinations, and a safe home environment. However, one of the most important aspects of preventive care is protecting them from an invisible internal threat: intestinal parasites, commonly known as worms.
At San Marcos Veterinary Clinic, we believe that routine deworming and parasite screening are essential parts of your cat’s wellness plan. These simple, effective treatments not only protect your cat from discomfort and disease but also safeguard the health of the human members of your family.
Understanding the Enemy: Common Worms in Cats
Several types of intestinal worms can infect cats, but the two most common are Roundworms and Hookworms.
- Roundworms: These are the most common intestinal parasite found in cats. Adult worms look like spaghetti and can grow up to several inches long inside the intestines. Kittens are very frequently born with roundworms, having acquired them from their mother’s milk. Adult cats can become infected by ingesting infective worm eggs from contaminated soil or from eating an infected rodent.
- Hookworms: These parasites are much smaller than roundworms and “hook” onto the intestinal wall to feed on blood. A heavy hookworm infestation can lead to serious, life-threatening anemia, especially in small kittens. Cats can become infected through contact with contaminated soil or by ingesting the larvae.
Other parasites, like Tapeworms (often acquired by swallowing an infected flea) and protozoa like Giardia, are also common threats.
How Can My Indoor Cat Get Worms?
This is one of the most common questions from dedicated cat owners. It’s a mistake to believe that an indoor-only lifestyle provides complete protection from parasites. Worms are resourceful and can easily find their way into even the most pristine homes.
- From Birth: As mentioned, many kittens are born with roundworms passed from their mother.
- On Our Shoes: We can unknowingly bring microscopic worm eggs into our homes on the soles of our shoes.
- Through Insects: Common insects like flies or roaches can carry worm eggs, which a cat can ingest while hunting or playing.
- From Houseplants: Potting soil can sometimes contain parasite eggs.
- From Fleas: If a single flea gets into your home, your cat can become infected with tapeworms by simply swallowing it while grooming.
Because the risk is ever-present, a proactive deworming and prevention strategy is crucial for every cat.
Our Approach to Cat Deworming and Prevention
Our goal is to create a simple, effective deworming plan that is tailored to your cat’s age and lifestyle.
- For Kittens: Because they are so commonly infected from birth, we recommend a series of deworming treatments for all kittens, starting at a young age, to eliminate any existing parasites and ensure they get off to a healthy start.
- For Adult Cats: We recommend regular fecal examinations to screen for hidden infections. A small stool sample is examined under a microscope to look for the presence of parasite eggs.
- Monthly Prevention: The best way to protect your adult cat is with a year-round, broad-spectrum parasite preventive. Many modern monthly heartworm preventives also protect against roundworms and hookworms, providing comprehensive protection in one easy-to-administer dose.
Your Guide to Our Cat Deworming Services (FAQs)
Protecting your cat from internal parasites is a key part of their care. Here are some of the common questions we hear from owners:
How do I know if my cat has worms?
Unfortunately, you often won’t see any obvious signs until an infestation is quite heavy. Some subtle signs can include a dull coat, a pot-bellied appearance (especially in kittens), weight loss, or occasional diarrhea. In heavy infestations, you might see spaghetti-like worms in your cat’s vomit or stool. Because the signs can be hard to spot, routine screening and prevention are much more effective than trying to treat an obvious problem.
What is a fecal exam, and why is it important?
A fecal exam is a simple, non-invasive diagnostic test where we examine a small sample of your cat’s stool under a microscope. The adult worms live inside your cat’s intestines and lay microscopic eggs that are passed out in the feces. This test allows us to identify the presence of these eggs, telling us exactly what kind of parasites we are dealing with so we can choose the most effective treatment.
Is it safe to get deworming medication over-the-counter?
While some over-the-counter dewormers are available, it is always safest and most effective to get a prescription from your veterinarian. Different worms require different medications, and without a proper diagnosis from a fecal exam, you may be using the wrong product. The medications we prescribe are proven to be both safe and highly effective for cats.
Can I get worms from my cat?
Yes, some feline intestinal parasites, particularly roundworms and hookworms, are “zoonotic,” meaning they can be transmitted to people. Humans can become infected by accidentally ingesting the microscopic eggs. This is why maintaining good hygiene (like washing hands after cleaning the litter box) and keeping your cat on a regular deworming and prevention schedule is an important part of protecting your entire family’s health.
How often should I have my cat’s stool sample checked?
For most adult cats, we recommend a fecal examination as part of their annual wellness visit. For cats with higher risk factors, such as those who go outdoors or are active hunters, we may recommend more frequent screening.
If my cat is on a monthly preventive, do they still need a fecal exam?
Yes, this is still a good practice. While modern preventives are excellent, no product is 100% effective 100% of the time. An annual fecal exam serves as a valuable check-in to ensure the prevention plan is working perfectly and that your cat hasn’t been exposed to other types of parasites (like Giardia or tapeworms) that may not be covered by their monthly product.
Protecting your cat from intestinal parasites is a simple yet profound way to care for their health.
