Quick Answer
Kittens should be dewormed every 2 weeks starting at 2 weeks old until 8 weeks, then monthly until 6 months. Adult indoor cats need deworming 1-2 times per year; outdoor cats every 3 months. Cost: $20-$50 per treatment at the vet, or $10-$25 OTC. Common worms include roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, and whipworms.
Table of Contents
Types of Worms in Cats
Several types of intestinal parasites can infect cats. Each requires specific treatment, which is why identifying the parasite is important before treating:
Roundworms (Toxocara cati)
The most common intestinal parasite in cats, affecting up to 75% of kittens. Adult roundworms look like spaghetti noodles (3-5 inches long) and may be visible in vomit or stool. Kittens get roundworms from their mother's milk. They can cause a pot-bellied appearance, poor growth, vomiting, diarrhea, and dull coat. Roundworms are zoonotic — humans (especially children) can be infected.
Treatment: Pyrantel pamoate or fenbendazole
Tapeworms (Dipylidium caninum, Taenia)
The second most common worm in cats. Tapeworm segments look like grains of rice and are often found around the cat's anus, in bedding, or on stool. Cats get tapeworms by ingesting fleas (which carry tapeworm larvae) or by hunting and eating prey. Tapeworms rarely cause serious illness but can cause scooting, anal irritation, and weight loss.
Treatment: Praziquantel (the only effective tapeworm treatment)
Hookworms (Ancylostoma tubaeforme)
Small but dangerous parasites that attach to the intestinal wall and feed on blood. Hookworms can cause severe anemia, especially in kittens, leading to weakness, pale gums, dark tarry stool, and weight loss. Cats can be infected through skin penetration, ingestion, or from their mother. Hookworms are zoonotic and can penetrate human skin.
Treatment: Pyrantel pamoate, fenbendazole, or milbemycin
Whipworms (Trichuris serrata)
Less common in cats than dogs but still seen, especially in outdoor cats. Whipworms live in the large intestine and cause mucus-covered stools, bloody diarrhea, and weight loss. They can be difficult to diagnose because they shed eggs intermittently.
Treatment: Fenbendazole
Lungworms & Other Parasites
Less common parasites include lungworms (Aelurostrongylus abstrusus), which cause coughing and breathing difficulty, and protozoans like Giardia and Coccidia, which cause diarrhea. These require specific prescription treatments and cannot be treated with standard OTC dewormers.
Treatment: Prescription only — see your vet
Signs Your Cat Has Worms
Many cats with worms show no obvious symptoms, which is why routine fecal testing and preventive deworming are important. When symptoms do appear, they may include:
Visible Signs
- • Worms or worm segments in stool or vomit
- • Rice-like segments around the anus (tapeworms)
- • Scooting or dragging rear on the ground
- • Pot-bellied appearance (especially kittens)
- • Visible worms around the anus or in bedding
General Symptoms
- • Weight loss despite normal appetite
- • Diarrhea or loose stools
- • Vomiting (sometimes containing worms)
- • Dull, rough coat
- • Lethargy and decreased energy
- • Pale gums (sign of anemia from hookworms)
Kitten Alert
Kittens with heavy worm burdens can become severely ill quickly. A pot-bellied kitten with diarrhea, poor growth, and lethargy needs immediate veterinary care. Heavy hookworm infections can cause life-threatening anemia in young kittens.
Deworming Schedule by Age
| Age / Life Stage | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2-8 weeks | Every 2 weeks | Roundworm treatment (pyrantel pamoate), started by breeder or rescue |
| 2-6 months | Monthly | Broad-spectrum dewormer, coincides with vaccine visits |
| 6-12 months | Every 3 months | Transition to adult schedule, fecal test at 6-month check |
| Adult indoor cat | 1-2 times per year | Annual fecal test recommended, treat as needed |
| Adult outdoor / hunting cat | Every 3 months (quarterly) | Higher exposure risk, may need monthly flea prevention too |
| Pregnant / nursing queen | Per vet guidance | Important to deworm before birth to reduce transmission to kittens |
Why Multiple Treatments?
Most dewormers only kill adult worms, not larvae or eggs. This is why multiple treatments spaced 2-3 weeks apart are needed — each dose kills the adults that matured from eggs since the last treatment. For roundworms, a minimum of 2 treatments 2-3 weeks apart is required. For tapeworms, a single dose of praziquantel is usually effective, but flea control is essential to prevent reinfection.
OTC vs. Vet Deworming Treatments
| Feature | Over-the-Counter (OTC) | Prescription (Vet) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per treatment | $10-$25 | $20-$50 (plus exam fee) |
| Worms treated | Roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms | All intestinal parasites + lungworms, protozoans |
| Common products | Praziquantel (tapeworms), Pyrantel pamoate (roundworms) | Profender, Drontal, Panacur, Revolution Plus |
| Fecal test included? | No | Yes — identifies the specific parasite |
| Broad-spectrum? | Usually treats 1-2 types | Can treat multiple types at once |
| Best for | Known tapeworm (saw segments) or routine roundworm prevention | Unknown parasite, kittens, severe infections, persistent symptoms |
Our recommendation: For the first deworming or any time you're unsure what type of worm your cat has, start with a vet visit and fecal test. This ensures you're using the right medication. For ongoing maintenance deworming of healthy adult cats, OTC products can be appropriate when you know what you're treating.
Safety Warning
Never use dog dewormers on cats. Some dog-specific formulations contain ingredients that are toxic to cats. Always use products specifically labeled for cats. When in doubt, ask your vet before administering any dewormer.
How Much Does Cat Deworming Cost?
| Service | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| OTC dewormer (per dose) | $10-$25 | Treats specific worm types only |
| Vet exam + fecal test | $75-$150 | Identifies the specific parasite |
| Prescription dewormer (per dose) | $20-$50 | Broader spectrum, vet-guided dosing |
| Kitten wellness package | $150-$300 | Includes exams, vaccines, multiple deworming rounds |
| Monthly flea/worm prevention | $12-$25/month | Revolution Plus, Broadline — prevents reinfestation |
Most cat owners spend $20-$50 per deworming treatment. For ongoing prevention, a monthly topical like Revolution Plus ($15-$25/month) covers fleas, ear mites, roundworms, hookworms, and heartworms — making it the most cost-effective approach for outdoor cats or multi-cat households.
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Deworming only kills current worms — it doesn't prevent reinfection. Follow these steps to keep your cat worm-free:
- Year-round flea prevention — fleas carry tapeworm eggs, so flea control is essential for preventing tapeworm reinfection
- Scoop litter daily — roundworm and hookworm eggs become infective after 1-3 days in the environment, so removing feces promptly breaks the cycle
- Clean litter box weekly with hot water and mild detergent (not bleach, which doesn't kill parasite eggs)
- Wash bedding regularly in hot water to eliminate eggs and tapeworm segments
- Keep cats indoors when possible — indoor cats have dramatically lower parasite exposure
- Discourage hunting — prey animals carry many types of worms and other parasites
- Annual fecal testing at your regular vet checkup, even for indoor cats
- Deworm new cats before introducing them to your household
- Consider monthly preventives like Revolution Plus for outdoor cats, which protect against multiple parasites
Multi-Cat Households
If one cat in your household has worms, all cats should be dewormed. Cats sharing litter boxes, food bowls, and grooming each other easily spread parasites. Treat all cats at the same time and clean all litter boxes, bedding, and shared surfaces thoroughly.
Can You Get Worms From Your Cat?
Yes — several cat parasites are zoonotic, meaning they can infect humans. Children, elderly individuals, and immunocompromised people are at highest risk.
| Parasite | Zoonotic Risk | How Humans Get Infected |
|---|---|---|
| Roundworms | Yes — causes visceral or ocular larva migrans | Ingesting eggs from contaminated soil or surfaces |
| Hookworms | Yes — causes cutaneous larva migrans | Larvae penetrate bare skin (walking barefoot in contaminated areas) |
| Tapeworms | Low risk | Requires ingesting an infected flea (rare in adults) |
| Giardia | Possible (some strains) | Ingesting contaminated water or fecal matter |
Prevention for humans: Wash hands after handling litter or touching the cat's rear area, wear gloves when gardening, scoop litter daily before eggs become infective, keep sandboxes covered, deworm your cat regularly, and teach children to wash hands after playing with pets.
Frequently Asked Questions
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