Kitten Worming: Types, Symptoms & Treatments
How do kittens get worms?
Your kitten can get worms from a few different sources. The most common is from contact with an infected animal or the faeces of an infected animal; whether it be another pet in your household or the neighbour’s cat. Your kitten may have also contracted worms through their mother’s milk, if she’s infected.
Worms are common and easy to pick up – on the plus side, they’re easy to avoid if you keep your fur baby’s prevention up to date all year round.
How do I tell if my kitten has worms?
Common kitten worm symptoms include:
- Change in appetite
- Dull coat
- Round, bloated belly
You might even see worms in your kitten’s faeces.
Types of worms in kittens
There are a number of internal parasites that may affect your kitten, all of which can be easily prevented. The three most common are listed below:
Symptoms may include:- Poor coat condition
- Pot-bellied appearance
- In more severe cases, pneumonia and intestinal blockage
Infection can occur due to hunting or by ingesting infected faces. Infected cats can even transmit it to their kittens via the mammary glands during feeding.
Tapeworm is usually transmitted by fleas or rodents. Segments of tapeworm, similar-looking to grains of rice, may be noticed in your cat’s faeces or around their bottom. In some instances, your cat may vomit up segments of tapeworm.
Symptoms of severe cases of tapeworm include a dull coat and weight loss.
Some particular types of this worm, commonly acquired by lizard-hunting kitties, require a stronger dose of medication to eradicate an infestation.
Found in the in the intestines of an infected animal, Hookworms have a mouth-like part including teeth, which they use to attach themselves to the host’s intestine wall. Here, they feed and live off the blood of the host. If left untreated, Hookworm infestations can lead to serious health concerns.
Symptoms may include:- Black stools
- Anaemia or pale gums
- A dull coat
There are a number of ways cats can become infested with hookworm, including coming into contact with larvae infested soil, or ingesting the larvae in food or water.
Kitten worming treatment: Kitten wormers
Your kitten should be treated for intestinal worms every two weeks until 12 weeks of age, then every four weeks until six months of age. After six months, worming should continue every three months for life.
‘All wormers’, available in either a paste or a tablet, will protect your kitten from all types of intestinal worms, some of which can transfer from cats to humans (just in case you were second guessing whether it was worth it!).
Try and get all of the pets in your household on the same worming schedule. It will help avoid an infestation and it will be easier to remember!
In addition to ensuring your kitten’s worm treatment is up to date, their ongoing healthcare should include vaccinations and regular flea treatment.
Our Recommended Products
Aristopet All Wormer Treatment for Cats 2pk
- Used for Hookworm, Roundworm and Tapeworm in cats and kittens over the age of 8 weeks.
Drontal Cat Worming Tablets With Applicator - 2 pack
- Used for the control of all gastrointestinal worms including roundworm, hookworm and tapeworm.
- Safe for kittens from 6 weeks of age weighing a minimum of 2kgs.