Complete Guide for Choosing The Correct De-wormer For Cats

Jun 27, 2019

Cats can be infected with worms at any time and according to a study, 45% of the feline population has intestinal parasites. These internal infections can lead to mild to severe digestive issues. When the infection is heavy, it may also cause breathing problems, malnutrition and weight loss, therefore, treating the cat with a dewormer is as essential as feeding her good quality food.

What Is A Dewormer?

Dewormer is an anthelmintic treatment specifically designed to kill and eliminate the gastrointestinal parasites. These worming treatments are highly effective in removing the infection and come in different formulations such as injectables, paste, chewable tablets or liquid suspensions.

How Dewormer Works?

There are several deworming treatments and they have different modes of action. The first one is when a dewormer increases the permeability of the cells in worms which leads to abundant calcium influx inside the cell. This calcium abundance causes frequent contractions in the parasites which paralyzes the worm and dislodges it from the cell membrane. As the worm gets detached from the walls of the intestine, the pet’s immune system destroys the parasite and removes it from the body by the natural defecation process.

Another mode of action includes interference with the parasite cells’ adenosine absorbing ability which causes flaccidity and results into dislodging of the worm from the intestinal walls.

Another effective way the dewormers work is by blocking the acetylcholine reuptake in the nerve and muscle cells in worms, leading to paralysis and destruction of these critters. Thus, the action of a worming treatment may differ from one formulation to the other.

How You Must Choose the Correct Dewormer?

Before selecting the correct dewormer for your cat, you must consider certain aspects to ensure the product you purchase is suitable for the type of infection your pet is suffering from.

Efficacy Of The Product

Different worm treatments come with different efficacy levels as per the active ingredients in the product. For instance, Triworm C has Praziquantel and Pyrantel Pamoate which acts on ascarids, whipworms, tapeworms and hookworms whereas Advocate works on hookworms, whipworms, roundworms, and fleas because of its active ingredients Imidacloprid and Moxidectin. It, however, has no effect on tapeworms. Therefore, it won’t be effective in treating a pet that has tapeworm infection.

Safety Of The Treatment

It is one of the most important factors to keep in mind while purchasing a dewormer because treatments that are safe for one cat may not be safe for the other if the cat is allergic to the ingredients. Therefore, read the label thoroughly before purchasing the dewormer. Also, certain treatments cannot be given to pregnant, lactating or infant cats that are below 6 weeks of age, therefore, a vet’s advice is necessary before you buy any deworming treatment for your cat’s safety.

Administration Mode

Different worming treatments may have a different mode of administration. Some are liquids, some are tablets and some others are oral pastes. It is thus necessary to figure out which type of treatment will be convenient for you to administer and would be preferred by your cat.

Here are some best-selling dewormers that you can purchase if your cat ever gets infected with worms. However, you must make sure to treat your cat every 3 months so they never get reinfected again.

Drontal

Ingredients – Praziquantel and Pyrantel Embonate

Drontal is a uniquely formulated deworming tablet with a delicious beef flavor and effectively eliminates roundworms, hookworms and tapeworm infections.

Key Benefits

Treats hookworms, roundworms and tapeworm infections.
One tablet eliminates multiple worms
Prevents the infection from recurring
Prevents diarrhea caused by worm infection

Triworm C

Ingredients – Praziquantel and Pyrantel Pamoate

Triworm C is a broad-spectrum treatment for multiple worm infections like hookworms, tapeworms, ascarids and whipworms. These tablets are safe for adult cats and kittens and one administration is enough for eliminating even the heaviest infection.

Key Benefits

Treats and prevents mixed worm infections.
Convenient to administer
Safe for old cats and kittens

Milbemax

Ingredients – Milbemycin oxime and Praziquantel

Milbemax treats roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms effectively and when given monthly, this powerful product also prevents heartworm infection in cats.

Key Benefits

Highly effective treatment for multiple worm infections
Prevents heartworm disease
Has a palatable beef flavor
Can be safely used for treating pregnant, lactating and breeding cats

Antezole Paste

Ingredients –Praziquantel, Pyrantel pamoate, and Fenbendazole

Antezole paste is a popular deworming treatment which is used to treat recurring hookworm, roundworm and tapeworm infections. This product comes in a syringe packaging which allows easy administration of the paste into the cat’s mouth.

Key Benefits