Can You Use Dog Dewormer On Cats?

Using animal dewormers is essential to medicate whipworms, tapeworms, roundworms, and hookworms by killing and paralyzing the parasites. It is an anthelmintic medication or drug that we give to our pets to heal illnesses. For dogs, you have to treat tapeworms and nematodes, whereas tapeworms and roundworms are picked at the time of worming for cats.

We have a query: can you use dog dewormer on cats? Um, no you should not use the dog dewormer on cats or kittens because they have individual medicines to cure. You love your adorable kitty, but suddenly it gets sick because of an infection. Isn’t this an upsetting situation?

In order to protect your pet and family from potential illness, it is essential to add a deworming supplement to your pet’s diet. In order to treat your cat’s sickness, we suggest utilizing cat deworming medication rather than trying dog dewormer. Let’s talk more about this topic!

What are Cat and Dog Intestinal Parasites?

What are Cat and Dog Intestinal Parasites

Intestinal parasites are usually called worms. These kinds of problems are carried by dogs and cats. Most of the time, the puppies or kittens suffer from roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms, intestinal parasites. 

Little puppies and kittens are frequently infected with roundworms. The best treatment is deworming medication. 

What Intestinal Parasites Do?

These intestinal parasites lessen the nutrition from the pet’s body while also causing discomfort and inflaming intestines which ultimately results in bleeding, aching, or bloating problems. Oh! The poor little pet! God save them from any obstacles like this! 

Unfortunately, the illness does not properly show the symptoms. However, the most frequent symptoms we notice are bloated stomachs, weight loss, coarse fur, vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness, or dragging their bottoms when moving. Therefore, you should meet with a veterinarian for some good advice.

Why Deworming Medications?

Find Worms

Sometimes we need to determine the parasites or they become visible so we can notice the wiggle worms in the cute kitten’s shits. In those circumstances, you should get a test to find parasites. No compromise or it may cause major issues in your pet’s body. Generally, roundworms and tapeworms are the common worms that can be found in a cat’s skin. 

Roundworm

Roundworm is an infection that can affect kittens and cats of all ages. Usually, it happens when the kitten mistakenly consumes diseased rodents or roundworm eggs from a polluted environment. Roundworms that are adults can be four inches long and reside in the cat’s intestine where they rely on the meals the cat consumes.

Hookworms

The soil-dwelling hookworm is another common worm that may be found in animal bodies. Generally, these worms take place when they find a cat’s dwelling or spending time outside. They also get the chance by eating the feces of other animals, like cats. 

Tapeworms

Other possible worms include tapeworms. These types of worms are flat, long, and made up of numerous segments. This type of parasite is spread to cats by small rodents or fleas. 

Tapeworms consume the nutrition your cat eats. You may find them in many places, like eggs and grains of rice, or they can sometimes be visible in your cat’s feces. They most likely entered into the older cat’s body.

Check Parasite Species 

Sometimes your pet is affected by the environment around him. Different areas, different parasites! If you ever travel to any other country, your kitten or puppy may be infected by that area’s parasite species. So, adore your puppy or kitty and take proper care of them against any type of intestinal parasite.

Deworm Frequently

Keep the question in mind: When should the cat or dog be dewormed? Deworming treatments are an essential part of keeping your cats and dogs lively. Until your kitten or puppy becomes 3 months old, it is advised to deworm them every two weeks. 

Regular deworming can keep them safe from intestinal parasites. It is also recommended to use it at least twice a year. In some circumstances, more frequent deworming is suggested when they are 6 weeks old or more. Then animals who visit or reside in heartworm endemic areas should take a monthly heartworm preventative.

Deworm your cat and dog when they are born. Also, keep in mind that,  deworming may depend on the risk of exposure. So, get some helpful advice from the veterinarian.

Difference Between Dog Dewormer Versus Cat Dewormer

Difference Between Dog Dewormer Versus Cat Dewormer

Specific Deworming Ingredients

It is to be said that dog wormers and cat wormers contain almost the same ingredients but are actually different. So, what’s the matter that made these doses different? Each deworming treatment individually contains a specific chemical that kills a particular type of parasite.

The best option is to treat kittens and cats with a broad-spectrum dewormer. This treatment is essential and effective in the case of tapeworms, hookworms, and roundworms.

Follow the dewormer treatment to free your kitten of worms. Don’t let them feel down because of their sickness! Most cat and dog dewormers contain Praziquantel, which is an active ingredient.

But it does not mean that your kitty can adjust to the dogs or canine dewormer. The separation comes between kitten and puppy because of the entire ingredient list. The dosage may also change based on the size of the cat or dog.

Heartworm Treatment

As we are talking about deworming sessions, we should not miss talking about heartworm prevention measures for dogs and cats that come in separate forms. But keep in mind that dogs can heal with an injection, whereas kittens cannot be treated the same way if they have heartworm. 

In some conditions, the deworming dose that works for dogs might be harmful to cats. Therefore, you should take the veterinarian’s instructions about deworming options for your dog and cat to get the important advice to make your kitten worm free. 

There is a treatment called heartworm medication, which is entirely different for cats. This treatment is a little expensive as well as time-consuming. 

Wrong Deworming Treatment 

Often, we decide to deworm our kitten with dog or other animal dewormer. But we want to say ‘No!’ a thousand times. Imagine, your kitten has roundworm but you are giving the dog’s tapeworm treatment to the cat. Isn’t this risky for your cat’s life? 

If you mistakenly Never choose the wrong treatment for your little kitten. We highly recommend meeting with a veterinarian to determine which worms need to be cured. And then pick the right deworming treatment. 

Why is Kitten Deworming Essential?

The most crucial reason to deworm your cat is the possible danger of infection that can have a great impact on the kitten’s body. Worms can be little, but they have the ability to become hazardous or life-threatening. So, it’s important to deworm your cute kitty cat!

When you find parasites on your kitten’s body, your kitten should be wormed by the veterinarian. Kittens are such small creatures. So, in order to kill the worm and if you want your kitten to live properly, proper treatment is a must! You must set up a time for your kitten to be inspected and immunized. Never mix medicine intended for separate species.

The best approach to treating the parasite issue is to take preventative measures to prevent them from being sick with any kind of worm. Take note that dogs and cats are born with worms and they receive them from their moms. So, deworming is really crucial for veterinary care. 

Consider Some Factors For Increase exposure

  1. What kinds of parasites are present in the living area?
  2. Has your kitten recently made any trips? It’s because when they travel, there is the possibility of exposing your pet to various parasite species in other provinces or countries.
  3. What is the exposure risk for your pet? 
  4. What is the exposure risk for your pet? 
  5. Do they frequently interact with other animals, and what is the deworming treatment according to the sickness?

So, we hope you understand the deworming treatment of cats and dogs is totally different. Also, it’s a good fact that, at present, veterinarians have some high-quality dewormers that can be used for any animal. 

The ideal treatment program is determined by the age and level of parasite pressure in cats and dogs. Treatment may vary from little to aged animals. So, start doing treatment according to the advice of a veterinarian. They will share adapted deworming sessions for your favorite pet. 

Wormers for Cats

Your veterinarian will prescribe a dewormer for your cat, that may also come in the form of a little pill or tablet, injection, liquid, or dermal therapy. There are various worming treatments available for cats and kittens. Let’s give a method for worm treatment:

  • 1. 2 – 3 week old kittens – 0.5 worming tablet
  • 2. 3 – 6 months Kittens – 1 worming tablet once each month
  • 3. 6-month-old cats or kittens – 1 worming tablet every three months.

Which form of dewormer should we utilize?

Your cat can be treated with different deworming medications, like tablets or spot-on. The appropriate variety for the cat will be prescribed by the vet.

Spot-on

This treatment method is almost like the flea treatments, Spot-on dewormers can be utilized by drizzling a few drops onto the cat’s neck, near the base of the skull.

Tablets

Deworming tablets are the most popular option and are usually given to cats either directly or included in their meals.

Granules or paste

Another effective treatment is granules or paste. Pet lovers who prefer mixing deworming medicines into their cat’s food can try this one. However, it’s a difficult medication for cats. 

How to prevent worms from infecting cats

  1. A strategic deworming routine should be followed for all kittens and new family members.
  2. The idea of strategic deworming should be maintained before the worms get mature and lay eggs that pollute the soil. This strategy is developed by the Companion Animal Parasite Council.
  3. If you find hookworms and roundworms, you can try a monthly heartworm treatment and a flea preventative.
  4. Always remember to take proper care and that feces checks are another important part.
  5. Use a spotless litter box.
  6. Always try to limit potential exposure and keep your cat inside.
  7. Complete the deworming and feces cleanup altogether to prevent worm eggs that survive in the ground from infected pets.
  8. Most worms are killed by 100°F heat. So, keep it in mind!

FAQ

1. What should I use for cat worms?

The best treatment for worms in cats is deworming. Use a broad-spectrum dewormer; it’s totally safe, efficient, and properly disposes of all parasites.

2. Can I deworm my cat myself instead of visiting the vet?

Generally, worms include lung and intestinal parasites, that can be treated at home. But if you prefer using medications or doses, ask your veterinarian for a prescription for deworming.

3. What potential worms are there for cats and dogs?

On the skin of cats and dogs, we commonly detect hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms, or whipworms.

4. When should my pregnant cat be dewormed?

The cat’s pregnancy lasts 57 to 63 days. Deworm your cat every 2 weeks from the final third of pregnancy till weaning.

5. Are there any natural or herbal dewormers?

There are no natural or herbal products that meet licensing requirements referred to as dewormers. But, there are formulations for natural parasite control available.

Final Verdict

So it’s time to conclude the whole section! So, can you use dog dewormer on cats? Straightforwardly, No! Because cats are much more sensitive animals than dogs, they have separate deworming treatments according to their size and weight. 

We hope you understand what you should consider before deworming your cats. There is no need to use a dog dewormer as kittens can be treated with different treatments which are suitable for them. So, if you find the article helpful for pet lovers, give it a thumbs up in the commentary section.

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