Cat Worming Treatments
43 productsA good cat wormer clears roundworm, tapeworm and hookworm, and the main choice is whether an all-wormer tablet or a spot-on suits your cat.[more] Browse tablets from Drontal and Milbemax, or spot-on cover from Advocate and Revolution Plus, alongside our wider cat flea, tick and worming range.
Which worms do cats get?
Cats get three main intestinal worms, and most of the time you will not see any sign of them until a burden is well established:
- Roundworm: the most common, often passed to kittens through their mother's milk, and the one that can also spread to people.
- Tapeworm: picked up from fleas and from hunting; the segments look like grains of rice around your cat's rear or bedding.
- Hookworm: less common in cats than dogs, but it attaches to the gut wall and feeds on blood.
Because these worms are usually invisible, worming is a routine you keep up rather than something you reach for once there is a problem. Heartworm is a separate, mosquito-borne worm that a standard wormer does not cover, which is worth understanding before you choose a product.
How cats catch tapeworm: fleas and hunting
Tapeworm is the worm most tied to a cat's lifestyle, because cats catch it two ways. The common flea tapeworm is swallowed when a cat grooms and eats a flea, which is why flea control is also tapeworm control and why a cat with fleas often needs worming too. Hunting cats also pick up a second tapeworm from mice and other prey, so an outdoor cat that catches things needs worming more often than a housebound one. If you are treating tapeworm, keep up flea prevention as well with a cat flea treatment, or the cycle simply starts again.
Tablets vs spot-on wormers
Cats are notoriously hard to pill, so the format you choose matters as much as the active:
- All-wormer tablets such as Drontal, Milbemax and Milpro by Virbac treat roundworm, hookworm and tapeworm in one dose, and are the most complete option.
- Spot-on wormers suit a cat who simply will not take a tablet, but check the coverage: some spot-ons, including Advocate, cover roundworm and hookworm but not tapeworm, so a flea-prone or hunting cat may still need a tapeworm product.
The right choice is the one you can actually give on schedule, so match the format to your cat rather than to the label alone.
How often should I worm my cat?
Most adult cats need worming every three months, while kittens need it far more often and hunters may need it monthly. Use this as a guide only, and always follow the dosing instructions on the pack:
Keep every cat in the home on the same schedule, as worms spread easily between pets.
Intestinal worming and heartworm are not the same
It is a common mix-up, so worth being clear: a wormer treats intestinal worms in the gut, but it does not prevent heartworm. Heartworm is spread by mosquitoes and is less common in cats than dogs, but there is no treatment for it in cats, so prevention is the only option where the risk is high. Some all-in-one spot-ons cover both intestinal worms and heartworm, while a basic all-wormer does not, so ask your vet whether heartworm prevention is needed where you live.
Trusted cat worming brands
Australia's leading cat wormers differ mainly in the format and the cover they give:
- Drontal: an all-wormer tablet covering roundworm, hookworm and tapeworm in a single dose.
- Milbemax: a small film-coated all-wormer tablet, easy to give to cats and kittens.
- Milpro by Virbac: a small all-wormer tablet, another good option for cats that dislike a large pill.
- Advocate: a monthly spot-on covering fleas, roundworm, hookworm and heartworm (not tapeworm).
- Revolution Plus: a monthly all-in-one spot-on that adds flea, tick and intestinal worm cover.
Worming kittens
Kittens need worming earlier and far more often than adult cats, because many are born carrying roundworm passed on through their mother's milk. Worm every two weeks until 12 weeks of age, then monthly to six months, using only products labelled for your kitten's age and weight, and treat the mother at the same time. Browse kitten flea, tick and worm treatments suited to little ones, and confirm the schedule with your vet.
Want to learn more?
- Not sure which worms to treat? Our vets explain the signs in Worms in Cats.
- Need flea and tick cover too? See cat flea, tick and worming treatments.
- Support your cat's overall health with our cat health products range.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can sometimes see worms in a cat's poo or around their rear, most often tapeworm segments that look like grains of rice, or spaghetti-like roundworm after a heavy burden. Many worms stay invisible, though, so a clean stool does not mean your cat is worm-free. Regular worming is the reliable way to stay ahead of them, and any blood, mucus or ongoing diarrhoea warrants a vet visit.
Some cat worms can spread to humans, with roundworm the main concern, particularly for young children. The risk is low with good hygiene and regular worming, so worm your cat on schedule, scoop the litter tray daily and wash hands after handling pets or litter. Speak to your doctor if anyone in the home has symptoms you are worried about.
Yes, indoor cats still need regular worming, just often a little less frequently than outdoor hunters. Fleas carry tapeworm indoors, roundworm can arrive on other pets or shoes, and even a house cat that catches the odd insect is exposed. Your vet can set an interval that matches a mainly-indoor lifestyle.
A good cat wormer covers roundworm, hookworm and tapeworm, is dosed to your cat's weight, and comes in a format you can actually give. Decide whether a tablet or a spot-on suits your cat, and whether you also need flea, tick or heartworm cover, as an all-in-one product may be simpler. Your vet can help you match the right wormer to your cat's age and lifestyle.
The easiest way to give a cat a worming tablet is usually to hide it in a small amount of favourite food or a treat paste, or to use a pill-giver so your fingers stay clear. If your cat spots it every time, a small film-coated tablet or a spot-on wormer can be far less stressful for you both. Never force a struggling cat, and ask your vet or nurse to show you the technique if you are unsure.
