Best Dewormer for Cats: 6 Vet-Approved Picks

Although no one wants to think about their cat having worms, intestinal parasites like tapeworms or roundworms in cats are quite common. A 2020 study found that nearly one-fourth of client-owned cats had at least one intestinal parasite [1]. 

Most intestinal parasites in cats are easily treated with cat dewormers. Pet parents can also protect their cats from worms by keeping their cat on year-round parasite preventatives. 

Find the best dewormers for cats on our list of vet-approved cat dewormers.

What Is Deworming for Cats?

Dewormers for cats treat intestinal worm infections. Parasite preventatives, on the other hand, are designed to prevent a parasitic infection from fully developing. Some preventative products also include dewormers. These products may protect your cat from heartworms, ticks, and/or fleas in addition to treating intestinal worm infestations. 

When it comes to cat dewormers, these products generally treat one or more of the following parasites:

• Tapeworms 
• Roundworms 
• Hookworms 

Dewormers for cats come in a variety of forms, including pills, liquids, and topical solutions.

Common ingredients in cat dewormers include:

• Pyrantel pamoate
• Praziquantel
• Selamectin
• Moxidectin
• Eprinomectin
• Emodepside

Keep in mind that there are other forms of intestinal parasites in cats aside from worms, such as coccidia or giardia, that may require treatment. 

Why Dewormer for Cats Is Important

Dewormers are important for your cat’s health. Some intestinal parasites, like roundworms, can steal nutrients from the food your cat ingests. Hookworms actually latch on to your cat’s intestinal wall and feast on blood. These parasitic infestations can lead to anemia, poor weight gain, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Cats who go outside have a higher risk of contracting worms. Cats can contract worms by:

• Ingesting an infected host, such as a flea, rodent, or insect
• Consuming or coming into contact with infected feces

Even an indoor cat can develop a worm infestation. Tapeworms, for instance, are usually contracted when a cat eats a flea or a rodent. If fleas hitchhike into the home on a person or a dog, your indoor cat can easily become infected.

Some of these worms, like roundworms, can also cause infections in people. Certain members of your household, such as children, may have a higher risk of contracting intestinal worms if you have an infected cat in the home. 

If you are unsure if your cat needs a dewormer, it’s best to speak with your veterinarian. Your veterinarian may recommend a dewormer that targets the specific parasite and then starting year-round parasite prevention. Some parasites may be treated with long-term parasite preventatives, meaning the preventative doubles as a dewormer.

6 Vet-Approved Dewormers for Cats

All featured products are chosen at the discretion of the Great Pet Care editorial team and do not reflect a direct endorsement by the author.

Although we will cover six vet-approved dewormers for cats in this article, it’s best to speak with your veterinarian to find the best option for your individual pet. 

Drontal® (praziquantel/pyrantel pamoate)

This broad spectrum dewormer for cats treats tapeworms (Dipylidium caninum and Taenia taeniaeformis), hookworms (Ancylostoma tubaeforme), and roundworms (Toxocara cati). Drontal comes in the form of scored tablets.

Highlights:

• Treats five types of intestinal worms
• Comes in scored tablet form
• Suitable for kittens over 1 month of age and weighing at least 1.5 lbs.
• FDA-approved
• Side effects are rare

Things to Consider:

• Reinfection with tapeworms transmitted by fleas is likely to occur unless the flea infestation is also controlled
• Requires a prescription

Profender™ (emodepside, praziquantel)

For cats who are hard to medicate with pills, the broad spectrum dewormer Profender may be a great alternative to Drontal. Profender comes in the form of a topical solution applied to the skin at the base of the skull. Profender treats roundworms (Toxocara cati and Toxascaris leonina), hookworms (Uncinaria stenocephala), and tapeworms (Dipylidium caninum and Taenia taeniaeformis).

Highlights:

• Treats five types of intestinal worms
• Applied topically
• Suitable for kittens over 2 months of age and weighing 2.2 lbs.
• FDA-approved

Things to Consider:

• Reinfection with tapeworms transmitted by fleas is likely to occur unless the flea infestation is also controlled
• Requires a prescription

NexGard® COMBO (esafoxolaner, eprinomectin, and praziquantel)

NexGard COMBO is a topical dewormer and parasite preventative. This product prevents heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis and both treats and controls roundworms (Toxocara cati), hookworms (Ancylostoma tubaeforme and Ancylostoma braziliense), and tapeworms (Dipylidium caninum). The product also kills adult fleas (Ctenocephalides felis), prevents flea infestations, and treats and controls infestations with two types of ticks. 

Highlights:

• Treats four types of intestinal worms
• Applied topically
• Prevents heartworm infestations
• Treats and prevents flea infestations and two types of tick infestations
• Suitable for kittens over 8 weeks old and weighing at least 1.8 lbs.
• FDA-approved

Things to Consider:

• Requires a prescription
• Isoxazoline class of drugs (e.g., esafoxolaner) have been associated with neurologic side effects, like tremors or seizures

Revolution® PLUS (selamectin and sarolaner)

Revolution PLUS is a dewormer and parasite preventative that is applied topically to the skin at the base of the skull on the back of the neck. The medication prevents heartworm disease. It also treats and controls roundworms (Toxocara cati) and intestinal hookworms (Ancylostoma tubaeforme). Revolution PLUS is also approved for the treatment of ear mites (Otodectes cynotis). The drug can kill adult fleas, treat and prevent flea infestations, prevent tapeworm infestations by killing fleas, and treat four types of tick infestations.

Highlights:

• Treats two types of intestinal worms
• Applied topically
• Prevents heartworm infestations
• Treats and prevents flea infestations and four types of tick infestations
• Approved for treating and controlling ear mites
• Suitable for kittens over 8 weeks old and weighing at least 2.8 lbs.
• FDA-approved

Things to Consider:

• Requires a prescription
• Isoxazoline class of drugs (e.g., sarolaner) have been associated with neurologic side effects, like tremors or seizures

Bravecto ® PLUS (fluralaner and moxidectin)

Bravecto PLUS is a topical product that only needs to be applied every two months. Intestinal worms that are treated include roundworms (Toxocara cati) and hookworms (Ancylostoma tubaeforme). The medication also prevents heartworm disease, kills adult fleas, prevents flea infestations, and treats and controls infestations with three types of ticks. 

Highlights:

• Treats two types of intestinal worms
• Applied topically
• Lasts twice as long as monthly products
• Prevents heartworm infestations
• Treats and prevents flea infestations and a couple types of tick infestations
• Suitable for kittens over 6 months old and weighing at least 2.6 lbs.
• FDA-approved

Things to Consider:

• Requires a prescription
• Isoxazoline class of drugs (e.g., fluralaner) have been associated with neurologic side effects, like tremors or seizures

Advantage Multi® for Cats (imidacloprid and moxidectin)

Advantage Multi is a topical, broad-spectrum dewormer and parasite preventative. This monthly topical treats hookworms (Ancylostoma tubaeforme) and roundworms (Toxocara cati). It can also prevent heartworm disease, kill adult fleas, treat flea infestations, and treat ear mites. 

Highlights:

• Treats two types of intestinal worms
• Applied topically
• Prevents heartworm infestations
• Treats and prevents flea infestations
• Treats ear mites
• Suitable for kittens over 9 weeks old and weighing at least 2 lbs.
• FDA-approved
• Does not contain an isoxazoline

Things to Consider:

• Requires a prescription

Dewormer for Cats: Other Factors to Consider

When choosing the best dewormer for your cat, you’ll want to consider the following factors:

Proper diagnosis: If your cat has worms, it’s important to determine the type of worms to ensure treatment is effective. Generally, this involves taking a fecal sample to your veterinary clinic, where they will perform a fecal flotation test.

Types of parasites covered: Different dewormers are effective against different parasites. For example, a lot of preventative products do not treat active tapeworm infections. For products that are both dewormers and parasite preventatives, you’ll want to ensure the product covers the parasites of concern in your area. This depends on the active ingredients in the product.

Formulation: Some of the dewormers are topical while some are oral. Some cats have a strong aversion to being pilled or the smell of a topical. You should speak with your veterinarian if you are having trouble administering the dewormer to your cat.

Frequency of dosing: Some dewormers are a one-and-done deal while others require several days of treatment. Preventatives that contain dewormers are given once monthly or once every two months. 

Side effects: Generally, the risk of side effects is low. However, there are reports of cats developing neurologic signs after taking isoxazoline drugs. Some of the preventatives listed in this article utilize ingredients from the isoxazoline drug class. If your cat has a reaction to a dewormer you should speak with your veterinarian. Some cats may also develop skin reactions to topical dewormers.

Cost: Your veterinarian can help you find the dewormer or parasite prevention that best works with your budget.

Cat Dewormer FAQs

How long does dewormer take to work on cats?

The length of time a dewormer takes to work on cats differs by product and by parasite. For example, praziquantel can begin killing tapeworms within 1 to 2 hours, though it may take a few days for you to stop seeing tapeworms in your cat’s feces. Fenbendazole, which is used off-label in cats, can take a day or two to begin taking effect.

How much does it cost to deworm a cat?

One-time parasite treatments or cat dewormers are usually around $20 to $50. The veterinary visit and fecal testing necessary to diagnose parasites may bump the cost up over $100. 

Can you use dog dewormer on cats?

You should not use dog dewormer on cats. Some products in dog dewormers and parasite preventatives, like permethrin, are toxic to cats. Dosages may also differ between cats and dogs.

How often can you deworm a cat?

You should use parasite preventatives on your cat year-round, with most preventatives given monthly. Some dewormers, like pyrantel or praziquantel, are more useful if your cat has been diagnosed with an active infection. Overuse of dewormers may encourage parasites to develop resistance.

Can you buy cat dewormer over the counter?

Some dewormers are available over the counter (like Elanco Tapeworm Dewormer), while some require a veterinary prescription (like Drontal).

Reference

1. Nagamori, Yoko et al. “Retrospective survey of parasitism identified in feces of client-owned cats in North America from 2007 through 2018.” Veterinary parasitology vol. 277 (2020): 109008. doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2019.109008