Worried about worms in your cat?
Don't worry, we've got you covered. We've compiled a list of the six most effective home remedies for getting rid of those pesky worms. From parsley to pumpkin, we've got all the bases covered.
You'll be able to get your cat back to its healthy and playful self in no time at all. And best of all, these remedies are all natural so you know they won't harm your beloved pet.
Keep reading to learn more about on home remedies to get rid of worms in cats!
How Do you deworm a cat? (Vet Answer)
Usually, your vet will test your cat's stool for parasites to determine what the worms are. Then he will give medication for cat worming based on the results.
Besides a deworming product, you can use some home remedies to deal with mild worm infestations. However, you should consult your vet if you notice that the treatment is not working. In addition to this, do not try these remedies if your cat is exhibiting additional symptoms such as fever.
Kittens should be dewormed as young as four weeks old since they could already be infected with worms. They are too young for home remedies and should be taken to the vet.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar Is Effective Against Fleas
Photo Credit: eatthis.com
Will apple cider vinegar kill worms in cats? Well, when ingested apple cider vinegar creates an acidic environment in your pet's stomach. But there is little scientific proof that apple cider vinegar strong enough to kill worms. Besides, giving apple cider vinegar, even diluted with water to your cat, might irritate her stomach and digestive tract.
Nevertheless, apple cider vinegar can help you in your fight with worms by getting rid of fleas. As you remember, the flea carries tapeworms and is a source of great discomfort for your pet.
So, mix apple cider vinegar with water and pour the solution into a squeeze bottle. Then spray your pet's fur gently with the mixture. After that, take a flea comb and use it to remove the fleas.
In addition to this, you can also use apple cider vinegar to treat ringworm and fungus. It's also suitable for your dog.
2. Pumpkin Seeds Destroy Tapeworms
I'm sure you're wondering how something as simple as pumpkin seeds can be effective against parasites. As it turns out, pumpkin seeds contain a compound that paralyzes parasites and helps the body to eliminate them. They are especially effective against tapeworms.
Pumpkin seeds are also very easy to use. You just have to grind some raw pumpkin seeds and then add 1/4 of a cup to your cat's wet food. Make sure that you mix them well with the food, or your kitty might not be tempted to eat them. Continue this for at least a week and ensure that your cat has access to fresh water.
3. Diatomaceous Earth Kills Worms
Photo Credit: purefectpet.com
Do you know what diatomaceous earth is? It's a type of rock formed by the fossilized remains of organisms called diatoms. But how could some rock be an effective cat worms treatment?
Well, diatomaceous earth has sharp edges even when grounded. As such, when you add it to your cat's food, it cuts into the parasites living in your cat's digestive system.
To use diatomaceous earth for killing worms, you should add two teaspoons of it into wet food and give it to your cat. Feed your cat wet mixed with diatomaceous earth for at least 30 days. However, make sure that you get food-grade diatomaceous earth.
4. Thyme Improves Digestion
Thyme is a common herb found in most gardens. It's also one herb that is recognized as safe and non-toxic for cats.
But more importantly, thyme can be a useful dewormer when you want to get rid of parasites in cats. Why? Because thyme contains thymol, which has proven its efficacy against worms in cattle.
In addition to killing parasites, thyme is also beneficial for your cat's digestive system and can help them get rid of hairballs.
So, grow some thyme in a planter and let your cat chew on it whenever she wants. Do not give your cat thyme oil without your vet's approval. Thyme oil is very concentrated and might harm your cat.
5. Parsley water Is a Natural Dewormer
Another home remedy for parasites in cats is parsley water. Parsley is a herb that has some anti-parasitic properties that will kill the worms inside your cat. Moreover, parsley has a pleasant taste, and most cats don't mind it.
So, get some fresh parsley leaves and boiling water. Add the leaves to the water, and then let them steep for 10 minutes. After that, you should strain the liquid and wait for it to cool. Then add one teaspoon to your cat's food and feed it once a day.
Do not continue the treatment for too many days because too much parsley water can harm your cat's kidneys.
6. Clean Regularly to Keep Worms Away
Preventive measures are one of the best cures for any disease. So, disinfect your house often, clean the litter box regularly, and wash the water and food bowls. Moreover, you should check your cat for fleas regularly to prevent tapeworms.
Furthermore, you should try to keep your cat indoors. Outdoors cats hunt rodents that could be infected with worms. In addition to this, outdoor pets dig in gardens and soil, and the risk of contracting worms is greater. Not to mention that your kitty might come home full of fleas and ticks.
Infographic - Home Remedies for Worms in Cats
What causes worms in cats?
Let's learn more about the different types of worms in cats and how cats get infected. That's going to help you prevent a second infestation once you deal with the imminent crisis.
So, cats often get infected with:
Roundworms are the most common parasites in cats, and they are responsible for almost 75% of all worm infestations. Often kittens get roundworms from their mother when the mother cat hasn't been dewormed properly before the birth.
Roundworms are 3-5 inches long, and they live in your cat's intestines. As such, these worms steal your cat's nutrients so that no matter how much your cat eats, she doesn't put on weight. In addition to this, roundworms are highly contagious because your cat sheds infected eggs with her stool and could lead to intestinal blockage.
Tapeworms resemble a ribbon or a tape, and they are made of segments that break off when the worm matures. These segments are shed in the feces and look like grains of rice. Cats get tapeworms when they eat a host infected with tapeworm eggs such as a flea or a rodent.
Hookworms, as the name suggests, attach themselves to your cat's intestines and feed off her blood. Since the larvae live in the soil, your cat might swallow it easily when she digs outside. Hookworm infestation is very serious since it might lead to anemia.
Whipworms, on the other hand, are relatively rare. They live in the large intestines and don't cause any major health problems in cats.
Signs and symptoms of worms in cats
I'm sure that by now you're wondering how you can tell if your cat has worms. Besides seeing the nasty parasites in your cat's stool, here are the most common signs of worm infestation in cats:
Can A Cat Die From Having Worms?
The short answer is - yes, your cat can die from having worms. However, the likelihood of that depends on your cat's overall health and the severity of infestation. Too many roundworms could block your cat's intestines, or hookworms can cause severe anemia and blood loss.
Kittens, for example, are far more likely to die from intestinal parasites because the worms are feeding off your kitty's nutrients in her stomach. As such, there is not much left for the little young, even if you feed your kitten a high-quality food. That's why you must deal with worms in your kitten as soon as possible by speaking to your veterinarian.
Can humans get worms from cats?
When you're dealing with parasites in animals, you can't but get worried about yourself. Well, an adult person can get worms from a cat, but the chances are very slim if you keep good hygiene and regularly deworm your pet.
Since roundworm eggs live in the soil and feces, you can eat them unknowingly if you don't wash vegetables well or your hands after you've cleaned the litter box.
Tapeworms are harder to catch because you'll have to swallow a flea infected with a tapeworm egg. You're far more likely to get tapeworms from uncooked, infected meat. However, it's not impossible, especially for young children who put everything in their mouths.
All this means that worms in cats should not be ignored. They can be dangerous to you as well as your kitty. To keep your animal happy and healthy, you should take care of any parasites on time. Speak with your vet how often you should deworm your cats and dogs and keep an eye for signs of infestation.
What do you think about these six home remedies for parasites in cats? How do you treat worms in your cat? Tell us your story in the comment section.
Clemmie Roob
A veterinarian, Clemmie Roob earned her PhD in Biomedical Sciences. In addition to practicing veterinary medicine, she also develops web content professional, focusing in her writing on veterinary medicine, biomedical sciences and research, alternative and complementary medicine, and comparative medicine.
I don’t know for the rest, but garlic is toxic for cats (and dogs). It sounds like a terrible idea to put this kind of advice online without having done at least the minimum research first…
Garlic causes hemolytic anemia in cats. The study these idiots cited was conducted in RATS. Completely different animal. Do they even read?!? Geez
I was thinking the same thing like .. aren’t garlic and onion two big NO NOs, along with alcohol ..and rilly anything besides outright foods, dosed only in tiny amounts
i.e. grapefruit seed extract…. idk how much 8mg is, but after recommending garlic powder (with no caution toward silicon dioxide mentioned) and somehow thinking that a CAT is going to ingest even so much as lol a COLOR change RAOTFL or something as smelly as PARSLEY WATER … omg, my stomach and jaw are aching from laughing so hard. …. I had very little Trust in the material being offered.
In retrospect, The papaya is a dope idea, as well as the pumpkin seeds and tumeric.
I only know finicky cats with acute senses of smell. How on earth does anyone get their cat to eat tumeric or any of the other ingredients mentioned. Seriously?
Garlic and Onions are toxic to cats.
Here’s a link: https://www.cuteness.com/13708232/can-cats-eat-garlic
Garlic and onions are TOXIC to cats! Please edit this article ASAP!!! Their effects will be WORSE if powdered because the compounds would be more concentrated when dried. The sulfur compounds in these plants damage feline red blood cells and cause dangerous hemolytic anemia. The 2008 study you cited was on a completely different animal!!! In what world is a MOUSE the exact same animal as a CAT?!?! obviously the effects arent the sane for DIFFERENT SPECIES! WHAT THE FLUFF GUYS u need to edit this seriously. NOW. Geez I wonder how many cats have already died because of this dumb advice.
? wow! I’m glad I read all the comments before I decided to give my kittens GARLIC! KILLING MY BABIES WOULD BREAK MY HEART I LOVE THEM SO MUCH AND I WANT TO HELP THEM NOT KILL THEM!! Are there anything safer than Garlic?? Thanks guys for the correct truth about Garlic and cats. They need to stop with the rats nothing like a cat, dog, human or whatever!! Some ppl are so dumb!
Gingerroot is the only know parasite killer. Whoever put this ad on here is ignorant.
For those asking how to get your cat to eat canned food with DE & pumpkin seed, delay feeding them a few hours later so they are hungry. Add in some water to the food to dilute a little bit. Can also try adding in some canned tuna into the food for some extra motivation.
And if your cat takes any sort of medication, give a 2hr window on either side of feeding DE bc it can make it ineffective.
And NO GARLIC FOR CATS. Most wormwood has other ingredients like cloves that are not good for cats and are alcohol based, which is also not good for cats
Well i realize cats r NOT dogs, but just saying, my mom used to sprinkle garlic powder, generously, on her pure bred German Shepards’ food every day and it worked like a charm to control fleas, thus, controlling the worms as well!