What you need to know about cats/kittens and worms!
How do cats/kittens get worms?
Cats/kittens can pick up worms by coming into contact with fleas, eggs or infected particles in feces. More often than not they have innocently walked through an infested area and have ingested the eggs or fecal matter when they clean their fur and feet. Indoor cats/kittens are not exempt, especially in multiple cat households as they can pick up worms from contaminated litterboxes.
Cats/kittens that live outdoors and tend to hunt small rodents are at risk of contracting worms as the parasite can live in the muscle tissue of their prey (gross.....).
And yes, cats can pick up infected eggs from dog poop as not all roundworms and hookworms are species specific Cats can also get tapeworms via the flea on the dog if they are living in flea infested conditions.
Below are the more common types of worms that your cat/kitten can get.
Roundworms
Hookworms
Whipworms
Tapeworms (fleas are carriers of Tapeworm)
Below are some of the more common indications that your cat/kitten may be suffering from worms.
Vomiting (you may visibly see worms)
Diarrhoa (you may visibly see worms, can also contain blood)
Tarry feces (their feces looks black with a tar like consistency/look to it)
Distended tummy (pot belly appearance)
Poor coat condition
Loss/increase in apetitte
Coughing
if the worms are not taken care of and the infestation progresses, you will see the below symptoms:
Weakness
Dehydration
Pale lips/gums
Low blood pressure
Shock
In severe cases; death
As with dogs/pups there are a number of homeopathic remedies that can help assist the removal of worms by stimulating and supporting the cats/kittens own natural immune system. Over time these remedies may also help increase resistance to intestinal worms and repeated infections.
Homeopathic worming remedies for cats are also administered around the full moon. Just like dogs; our cats circadian rhythm responds to the moon’s cycle. During the full moon the cats serotonin (“feel good” neurotransmitter) increases. Parasites love serotonin as it allows them to be more active. Because they are more active they detach and move around the body. Once they are detached it makes them easier to dispel, hence why we worm around the full moon!
So what homeopathic remedies can you use to worm your cat/kitten?
At Wild Remedy we have a combination remedy that covers the common parasite complaints.
Purchase your homeopathic worm treatment below: https://www.wildremedy.co.nz/shop/product/650099/worm-support-cats-and-dogs/
