How Long Does it Take for Dewormer to Work? Be Enlightened on the Truth Now
Have you ever wondered how long does it take for dewormer to work on your cats? If you are a first-time pet owner, the idea of deworming your beloved feline pal may be overwhelming. Questions from when to do it, how to do it to why to do it – these are all among the fundamental information you need to know when it comes to the overall health of your cat.
So, for this article, allow me to give you important information on deworming, how to do it properly, and why you should do it. Know that the presence of parasitic worms on animals can also impact the humans around them and this is one of the most important reasons as to why deworming should be given time and attention as well.
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Why Deworm Your Cats?
Cats, just like any pets, can experience the parasitic infection in the gut and intestines at some point in their lives. This means that your cat can be infected with either roundworms or hookworms, two of the most common parasitic worms that can affect cats.
The two most common roundworms in cats are Toxascaris leonina and Toxocara cati. If the infection with any of this parasite remains untreated, it could lead to bigger problems. Note that the eggs of these parasites are passed through the feces and can survive in any environment for many years.
When your cat is infected with Toxocara cati roundworm, these parasites can be passed through the milk that the mother cats produce. This can then infect the kittens who are still being nursed by the queen as a result. While infected cats do not demonstrate any signs of parasitic infection, the presence of these worms could possibly cause drastic weight loss and diarrhea.
One of the biggest concerns as to why cats and other pets should be dewormed in the possible ingestion of the children which could lead to the migration of the larvae of the worm through the kid’s body and cause result in potential damage.
How to Reduce Long-Term Damages Caused by Parasitic Infection?

Deworming is one of the treatments for the parasitic infection that has a long-term effect. It is important to remember, however, that only cats that have worms should undergo deworming. So, it is essential to check the feces to see presence of worms before considering deworming
When it comes to eradicating tapeworms and roundworms, you may opt for non-prescription over-the-counter treatments. However, to be sure which medication to administer to your cat, the type of parasite should be properly identified. Therefore, a stool test result must be obtained and be seen by a veterinarian first.
Most of these deworming tablets take about 2-3 weeks to work. They are made from magnesium stearate which could eliminate the worms within the prescribed time. Depending on the severity of the parasitic infection, re-treatment may be required.
Types of Cat Dewormers
There are broad-spectrum dewormers which could be administered to cats. These medications can treat more than one type of parasitic infection. For instance, there is medication in the paste form which could be given to cats in three ways. One is by mixing it with food, administered orally using a syringe, or rubbed directly on the forepaw and allowing the cat to lick the paste off.
There are also deworming tablets that contain Pyrantel Pamoate and Praziquantel which could be used to treat roundworm, hookworm, and tapeworm infection. There are also tablets which can be given to cats on a monthly basis to help prevent heartworm disease and whipworm infection.
A topical liquid dewormer is also another option and is typically applied at the base of the cat’s head. The choice of deworming process depends on how serious the infection is and on the recommendation of the veterinarian. There may be cases that parasite-specific medication should be given to addressing the problem more effectively.
What Can You Do?
It is a must for every pet owner to know how to perform responsible parasite control as this would alleviate the chances and risks linked to the transmission of disease from animals to humans. Moreover, this would keep the gut and the intestines of the pets healthier.
Also, pet owners can better protect their family by performing the following:
- Use preventive flea treatment all-year-round
- Administer deworming medication as per veterinarian’s recommendation
- Constantly and regularly clean up the animal feces
- Be educated on the risks of parasitic infection and the preventive control measures
So, there you go, fellow animal lovers. Be vigilant in knowing about the subject, and I hope that I was able to impart relevant information that can help you keep your cats healthier and family members protected. Feel free to drop your questions and comments here.