Worming is essential to maintain your cat’s good health and ensure a long life. Nursing cats are at greater risk because worms can also be passed on to kittens.
Now, the question is, can you worm a nursing cat? Yes, you can, under strict veterinary guidance, deworming a nursing cat is often necessary and safe. While worming nursing cats, keep the timing, medication, and dosage in mind. Monitor the worming process carefully and attend follow-up visits to the vet if needed.
So, are you having trouble deworming your nursing cat? Find out the factors you need to consider besides their health, weight, and age!
Why is Deworming a Nursing Cat So Important?
Deworming nursing cats is vital because they are more susceptible to worm infestations, which can then be transmitted to their newborn kittens. Here’s why prompt deworming, as advised by a vet, is crucial – the very reasons I made sure Muezza was dewormed as soon as she needed it:
1. Protecting the Mother Cat’s Health
Lactating cats are more prone to parasite infections like roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms. These internal parasites can severely harm a mother cat, leading to weight loss, chronic diarrhea, anemia, and overall debilitation. Deworming helps shield the nursing cat from these potential health complications, allowing her to focus on nourishing her kittens. I knew deworming Muezza was essential to keep her strong during this demanding period.
2. Preventing Transmission to Kittens
If the mother cat has worms, she can transmit these parasites to her young through her milk or even in utero (especially with roundworms).
This can severely impact the kittens’ health, potentially resulting in slow growth, poor development, a distended belly (pot-bellied appearance), and weakened immune systems.
By deworming the nursing cat, you help ensure her milk remains a safe, nutritious source, free from harmful parasites, thus reducing the likelihood of passing worms to the nursing cat’s kittens and encouraging their healthy development. Protecting Muezza’s kittens from this risk was my top priority.
3. Reducing Environmental Contamination
Worm eggs are shed in the feces of infested cats. If a nursing cat has worms, her feces can contaminate the environment, including the litter box, bedding, and the area where the kittens reside. This significantly increases the risk of kittens ingesting worm eggs and becoming infested themselves.
Deworming the nursing cat effectively lowers environmental contamination and reduces the chance of re-infection for both the mother and her litter. Keeping Muezza’s environment clean was a constant task to prevent any spread.
4. Maintaining Overall Family Health
Worm infestations can pose risks not only to the nursing cat and her kittens but also to other household pets and even humans. Some parasites, like roundworms (Toxocara canis/cati), are zoonotic, meaning they can spread from animals to people, particularly children.
Regular deworming, as part of a comprehensive parasite prevention plan, helps create a healthier environment for the entire family. By regularly deworming Muezza, I felt I was contributing to a healthier home for everyone.
How Can I Know If My Cat Has Worms?
Worm infestations in nursing cats can manifest through various symptoms. However, it’s important to note that some cats may not show any obvious signs, especially in the early stages or with mild infestations. This is why regular veterinary check-ups and preventative deworming, as advised by your vet, are so important.
Here are some common signs that may indicate a worm infestation in a nursing cat, drawing from what I noticed with Muezza:
● Change in Appetite
Worm infestations can lead to a decrease in appetite, or paradoxically, an increased hunger due to nutrient malabsorption. When I noticed significant changes in Muezza’s eating habits, it was an early sign for me. Significant changes in your nursing cat’s eating habits warrant veterinary attention.
● Unusual Weight Loss
Worms compete with the cat for essential nutrients, which can cause unexplained weight loss, particularly if the infection is severe or prolonged. Muezza started losing weight despite eating, which was a clear red flag. Regularly monitor your cat’s weight and consult your veterinarian about any significant changes.
● Diarrhea or Vomiting
Certain worms, such as roundworms and hookworms, can cause gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea (which may be bloody or mucousy) or vomiting (sometimes with visible worms). I observed changes in Muezza’s stool consistency. Observe changes in the consistency, color, or frequency of your cat’s feces.
● Lethargy and Weakness
Infected nursing cats may exhibit decreased activity levels, increased drowsiness, or general frailty. This can be related to the worms draining the cat’s energy and nutrient reserves. Muezza became noticeably less energetic than usual.
● Dull Coat/Poor Coat Condition:
A lackluster or rough coat can also be a sign of underlying health issues, including parasitic infestations.
If you notice any of these symptoms in your nursing cat, or if you have any concerns, it’s crucial to visit an experienced veterinarian as soon as possible for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. I didn’t hesitate to take Muezza to the vet when I saw these signs.
How to Safely Deworm a Nursing Cat: Essential Steps
Your veterinarian will determine the most appropriate deworming schedule and medication for your nursing cat and her kittens. The process typically involves these key steps – the very ones I followed with Muezza:
Step 1 : Consulting With a Veterinarian This is the most critical first step.
Before administering any dewormer, consult with your veterinarian. They will thoroughly examine your cat’s health, discuss potential risks, and recommend a specific deworming protocol tailored to her individual needs and the local parasite prevalence. Your vet will prescribe medicines appropriate for your cat’s age, weight, and overall health status.
For Muezza, the vet assessed her situation thoroughly and prescribed specific medicines for her age (a little over 2 years old).
Step 2 : Selecting a Safe Worming Medication
Based on the veterinarian’s recommendation, I selected a deworming medication that’s safe for my nursing cat and effective against the specific parasites commonly found in my area.
You should also ensure that the medication is suitable for both the mother cat and her kittens.
Step 3 : Determining the Dosage
Depending on Muezza’s weight, the vet recommended a specific dosage of the medication. It’s important to follow the vet’s instructions for a smooth treatment.
So, always check in with your vet before changing the dosage!
Step 4 : Observing the Medication
Worming medicine can come in many forms – tablets, liquids, or topical treatments. Pay close attention to your vet’s instructions to avoid any mistakes.
To treat Muezza, I crushed the tablet before mixing it in a small amount of wet cat food. Sometimes I’d also hide the medicine in her little treats!
You can measure liquid dewormers using a syringe and provide it orally. Topical treatments are usually applied directly to the skin.
Step 5 : Look After the Effects
After giving the deworming treatment, keep an eye out for any negative responses or side effects in the nursing cat. Observe her actions, appetite, and general health.
Get in touch with your veterinarian right away if she shows any alarming symptoms.
Step 6 : Going for Follow-up Treatments
The veterinarian may advise a follow-up treatment based on the severity of the infestation and the medicine provided.
To guarantee complete deworming and avoid re-infestation, listen to his advice regarding the time and frequency of follow-up deworming treatments. If your cat is highly infested, you may need to repeat the treatment.
Step 7 : Ensuring a Clean Environment
Maintain a clean living space for the nursing cat and her kittens to reduce the chance of reinfection. Regularly clean the litter box, bedding, and surroundings to lessen the amount of worm eggs and larvae.
These 7 steps helped me treat Muezza’s worm infestation fast and easily. Remember that these steps and instructions vary due to the difference in age, weight, and health of the nursing cats.
An experienced vet can provide you with detailed guidance for carrying out the process safely.
How Often Should I Worm My Nursing Cat?
According to the suggested dosage, deworming should start at 6 weeks old and be repeated at 8, 10, and 12 weeks for kittens. Nursing cats should also be treated at the same time. Then, until 6 months old, kittens should receive monthly deworming.
Here’s a chart you can follow for deworming nursing cats:
| Cats in Different Situations | Worming Treatment |
| Pregnant Cats | Before expected birth, use one dosage of emodepside spot-on for seven days to stop the lactogenic transmission of Toxocara cati larvae to the kittens |
| Nursing Cats | Treat simultaneously with the first dosage of kittens |
| Cats who share spaces with children younger than 5 years or individuals with weak immune systems | Schedule deworming or check fecal samples once a month and treat accordingly, keeping the risk in mind |
| Cats that live in areas with heartworm | Apply precautionary larval therapy with macrocyclic lactones once every month when it’s mosquito season |
When my cat Muezza was nursing, I made sure to deworm her every two weeks to prevent any further infestation.
Can Deworming Medications Have Side Effects?
Deworming treatments are generally safe when given at the recommended dose and under veterinary supervision. However, like all medications, they can have potential side effects.
Common mild side effects, if they occur, include:
- Gastrointestinal upset: This can include temporary increased salivation, vomiting, or diarrhea.
- Application Site Reactions (for topical treatments): Hair loss, irritation, or temporary greasiness at the application site.
After giving your cat a dewormer, let your veterinarian know if you see any unusual behaviors. Serious side effects are rare but can occur, especially if the dosage is incorrect or if the cat has an underlying health condition. Always contact your veterinarian immediately if you observe any concerning symptoms.
FAQs
As a cat owner myself, there are a few questions that frequently come to my mind. Let’s have a look–
Q. Can I worm a pregnant cat?
Yes, you should worm pregnant cats whenever it’s necessary. Provide worm medication before the birth of kittens, as they might also contract intestinal worms.
Q. What wormer is the safest for my cat?
Elanco tapeworm dewormer is an easy and effective way of treating worms in cats and it starts working with a single dose!
Q. What’s the best food for a nursing cat?
Make sure to feed your nursing cats with high-quality kitten formula food enriched with essential nutrients.
Final Thoughts
Cats of all ages can be frequently infected by worms and nursing cats are no exception. Pet owners often ask can you worm a nursing cat? You can easily worm your nursing cat with proper medication and supervision.
Follow the veterinarian’s instructions precisely for the medicine, timing, and dosage. Keep your surroundings clean and track the progress of the treatment. Nursing cats are more vulnerable to parasites, so you always need to keep an eye out!
