Keeping our cats indoors can help us prevent them from getting into a lot of trouble. One of these is that they are safe from getting worms. Or so we thought. Worms such as roundworms, hookworms or tapeworms can manifest in indoor cats through many different ways.
Fleas and worm eggs can enter our home when they get lodged in our shoes, clothing, other pets, and even the common house fly. Although the possibility of your indoor cat acquiring worms is very small as compared to outdoor cats, it is still a good idea to have them dewormed regularly.
Your cats and kittens are family so you would naturally be concerned for their health and safety. Having them dewormed is one safety precaution for you to take to ensure that your indoor cats are safe and free from any parasites. Here is our list of the best dewormers for cats on the market today:
Panacur C Canine Dewormer
Panacur C Canine Dewormer has fenbendazole as its main ingredient. It works effectively in removing gastrointestinal parasites from the stomach and intestines of cats and dogs. It can eliminate hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms, and other parasites as well. Some pet owners notice a slight side effect of loose stools, while some experienced none at all.
Pros:
- Contains veterinarian-prescribed fenbendazole
- Can be added to pet food
- FDA-approved
- Very little to no side effects
Cons:
- The powder didn’t mix well with the food
Pro-Sense Liquid De-Wormer for Cats
An effective solution to your cat’s intestinal worm infestation, Pro-Sense liquid dewormer contains piperazine that is a very potent treatment for roundworm infections. Also, treat infections with pinworms. It is safe to use for cats and kittens over 6 weeks old, but not recommended for pregnant and lactating queens. There are some reports of slight vomiting as a side effect, but these are very rare.
Pros:
- Contains piperazine base as piperazine citrate
- Great taste
- Prevents re-infestation of roundworms
- Very affordable
Cons:
- Not recommended for pregnant or nursing cats
Bayer Tapeworm Dewormer
Manufactured by Bayer, a reputable name in the pharmaceutical industry, so you are guaranteed that this dewormer works. Bayer Tapeworm Dewormer active ingredient is praziquantel that is proven to be an effective treatment for a number of types of parasitic worm infections such as tapeworms. It prevents newly hatched insect larvae (worms) from growing or multiplying in your pet’s body. It comes in tablet form so you can easily mix them with your cat’s food.
Pros:
- Very easy to administer
- No prescription required
- Contains praziquantel
- Easy to administer
Cons:
- Expensive
Durvet Safeguard Goat Dewormer
You may think that this is for goats only, but Durvet Safeguard Goat Dewormer has fenbendazole as its active ingredient. Fenbendazole is effective in removing worm infections on several types of animals. Durvet Safeguard comes in powder form so you can easily mix it with your furbabies’ food. You may need to adjust the dosage by doing a quick online search as the original dose is designed for larger animals.
Pros:
- Treats infections from over ten different kinds of worms
- Can be used on cats, dogs, fish, horse, cow, and chicken
- Contains fenbendazole
- Comes in powder form
Cons:
- You have to learn the proper dosage
Columbia Laboratories Pyrantel Pamoate Suspension
Roundworms and hookworms are the most common worms that infest cats, Columbia Laboratories Pyrantel Pamoate suspension is an efficient way to remove them. A 50 mg, 32-ounce bottle can be yours for just under $35. It is an affordable way to deworm everyone in your household as you can even use this suspension for humans.
Pros:
- Suitable for cats, dogs, and humans
- Contains pyrantel base as pyrantel pamoate
- Comes in suspension form
- Has a nice vanilla flavor
Cons:
- Not for the treatment of all kinds of worms
Pfizer Nemex 2
A strong and potent treatment for your cat’s hookworm, pinworm, and roundworm problems, Pfizer Nemex 2 contains pyrantel pamoate that paralyzes the worms so that your cat’s body can easily get them out through their stools. And with a trusted name attached to this dewormer, you can have peace of mind knowing that you are giving your cats the best dewormer there is.
Pros:
- Suitable for dogs and cats
- Available without a prescription
- Safe to use for kittens and nursing queens
- Cats love the taste
Cons:
- Pricey
Bayer Expert Care Tapeworm Dewormer for Cats
Created specifically with cats in mind, Bayer Expert Care can rid your cat of the most common types of the tapeworms. It comes in tablet form that you can crumble and add to your cat’s food for easy intake. One tablet is enough to get rid of the infections, and with the trusted name Bayer, you will not have to experiment to find the most effective dewormer for your cat.
Pros:
- FDA-approved
- Easy to administer
- Contains praziquantel
- Strong dosage
Cons:
- Not for kittens under six weeks of age
Naturpet D Wormer
This cat Naturpet D Wormer dewormer can help you eliminate giardia, pinworms, roundworms, whipworms, tapeworms, and ringworms. It uses only natural ingredients like wormwood aerial parts, black walnut hull, sage leaves, black and fennel seeds, as well as papaya leaves, no added harsh chemicals that can be harmful to your furbaby. Since it’s all natural, you can use this for cats of all ages.
Pros:
- Veterinarian approved
- Has a soothing effect on your cat’s stomach
- Comes in liquid form
- Made from natural ingredients
Cons:
- Has a strong scent
Pro-labs Feline Tapeworm Tabs
What kills the tapeworms in your cat’s body when you give them this is the active ingredient, praziquantel. Pro-labs Feline tapeworm tabs come in just the right size so you can easily give them to your cat or mix them with their food. It is FDA-approved and safe to use that you can buy it over the counter.
Pros:
- Contains praziquantel
- Comes in easy to administer tablets
- Approved by the FDA
- Affordable
Cons:
- For removal of tapeworms only
Excel Liquid Roundworm Dewormer
This cat Excel Liquid Roundworm Dewormer works fast to treat your cat from roundworm infections. It comes in a liquid form that has a taste that your cat is sure to love. It effectively stuns the worms so they can easily pass through the cat’s system and then eventually be removed via the cat’s stool.
Pros:
- Contains piperazine base as piperazine citrate
- Comes with a child-resistant cap
- Has a vanilla flavor
- Has an affordable price
Cons:
- Only removes roundworms
Factors to Consider When Buying the Best Dewormer for Cats
Types of Worms
It is important to know what type of worm your cat has so you can get the correct treatment for it. There are three types of worms that commonly infect cats; these are roundworms, tapeworms, and hookworms. Most dewormers come in formulations that target a specific type of worm so knowing what type of worm your cat has is very important.
You may have to get a fecal test analyzed by your vet, or you may opt for dewormers that can treat multiple types of worms. As with any treatment we humans take, it is a good idea to consult your veterinarian to get an informed decision on what the best dewormer is for your cat.
The Right Dosage
Many dewormers provide the recommended dosage for different ages and weights of cats, so be sure to check the label to give you an idea. An overdose is something that you wouldn’t want to happen to your furbaby, so if in doubt, consult your veterinarian. You shouldn’t be second-guessing when it comes to administering drugs.
Effectiveness
Once you know what type of worm your cat has, you need to look for the one that would work well with your cat. There are many options out there, and a vet will know exactly what your cat needs. But if it is a recurring infection (hopefully not), you already know what to get
Although all of the dewormers we listed above are safe, it is also worth checking the ingredients of a one, so you will know what it contains and then check if they are safe for your cats. There some that use all natural ingredients, you may want to choose these if you have doubts. You may even try and experiment with brands, but we highly recommend going for those with trusted names and reputation for reliability.
Cost
Of course, money is no object when it’s our furbaby’s life that’s on the line. However, if you are going to do regular deworming sessions, which is highly recommended, you may want to choose something that would not break the bank.
Conclusion
This list we compiled includes the best dewormer for cats available on the market, and among them, we love Durvet Safeguard Goat Dewormer. It can eliminate a wide variety of worm types and can be used on dogs as well, a bonus if you have both dogs and cats. If you plan on doing some deworming at home without help from your vet, this is the way to go.
Again, we recommend consulting your veterinarian before trying out any sort of medication to your pets.