How often should you deworm a cat? Indoor cats too
How often to treat your cat for worms, fleas and ticks, why it depends on their lifestyle, what changes for indoor cats and what to ask your vet.
It depends on the life your cat leads, and your vet sets the frequency. As a general reference, when no individual risk assessment has been made, the European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites (ESCCAP) suggests worming at least four times a year. A cat that hunts may need more; an indoor cat, sometimes less.
For the general picture for dogs and cats, see Deworming dogs and cats: how often to ask your vet. Here we focus on what is different for cats.
Inside and out
- Internal: against intestinal worms such as roundworms and tapeworms. Some can pass to people, especially young children.
- External: against fleas and ticks. Besides biting, fleas can pass a tapeworm to your cat while it grooms.
What changes the frequency most
| Their life | What usually happens |
|---|---|
| Kitten | More frequent treatment in the first weeks and months, as your vet advises |
| Indoors, no other animals | Lower risk, but not zero |
| Goes into the garden or outside | More contact with fleas, ticks and other cats |
| Hunts mice, birds or insects | Higher risk of tapeworms and other worms |
| Lives with a dog that goes out | Fleas can come home on the dog |
| Eats raw meat | Your vet will take it into account |
Also mention if there are young children, older people or anyone with a weakened immune system at home.
What if they never go out?
Indoor cats can get parasites too. Fleas come in on clothes, on another pet or from the landing, and some cats eat the flies and insects that come through the window. That is why it is worth letting your vet assess your cat rather than leaving them unprotected.
Never use dog products
Never put a spot-on, collar or spray made for dogs on your cat. Some contain substances, such as permethrin, that are highly toxic to cats. If it has happened, or your cat has rubbed against a freshly treated dog and you notice trembling, drooling or agitation, call an emergency vet.
What to ask your vet
- How often does my cat need internal and external treatment, given their lifestyle?
- Which product and format suits them: spot-on, tablet or collar?
- Does anything change in summer or when we travel?
Don’t let the date slip
With a cat it is easy to forget, because they rarely show signs. Note the day you treat them, the product and when the next one is due, and set a reminder. In Miloop you log it in their health section and get a reminder when it is due; if several of you share the care, marking it done lets everyone see it so nobody doubles up. If you have a kitten, also check the cat vaccination schedule.
This guide is for information only. Your vet always decides the product, dose and frequency.