Does spot-on wormer work as well as tablets?

Do I need to regularly deworm my pet?

Although worming treatment is used to kill intestinal worms infesting your pet, this doesn’t mean it should only be used once you think your pet has worms. This is because sometimes even when a pet has worms, they show no signs or symptoms. So using regular deworming medication ensures any worms that do enter your pet’s gut are quickly killed, mitigating the risk of your pet becoming ill. It also prevents worms from spreading within your household. Children and the immunosuppressed are particularly at risk of catching worms, so keeping your pet on a dewormer treatment stops the chance of anyone being infected.

Different types of worming treatment

Spot on wormer drops

Fast acting and easy to use, spot on wormer drops are applied directly to the skin and enter the blood stream to kill parasite worms infesting the digestive tract of your pet. 

Shop Itch Wormer Spot On Plus for Cats!

Can I use spot wormer drops on my cat?

Itch Wormer Spot On Plus is tailored specifically to cats and kittens, who weigh between 0.5kg and 8kg. It is easy to apply and doesn’t require vet supervision. Itch Wormer Spot On Plus is also safe to use on pregnant and lactating cats.

Worming tablets

Fast acting but difficult to administer, worming tablets are given orally to a cat or dog and head straight to the gut, where parasite worms are living.

Shop Itch Worming Tablets for Dogs and Itch Worming Tablets for Cats

Can I give my cat worming tablets?

Itch Wormer tablets are tailored to cats and kittens, who weigh anything above 1kg. Worming tablets don’t require vet supervision and can be given to your pet orally. Itch Wormer tablets are not suitable for pregnant and lactating cats.

Does spot-on wormer work as well as tablets?

Spot on wormer treatments are just as effective as worming tablets to kill intestinal worms and stop the spread of infection. Spot on wormer drops and dewormer tablets are fast-acting, so both can be used to fight a worm infestation, fast. 

What worms a treatment fights is entirely dependent on the active ingredients. If you’re looking for a worming treatment to kill a particular worm like hookworms or heartworms, then make sure to shop based on these specifics and check the active ingredients in the treatment formula.

Spot on wormer vs worming tablets

Let's break down the pros and cons of spot on wormer and worming tablets. Both treatments are effective at killing worms, but you and your cat might prefer one over the other.

Spot On worming treatment

Benefits to spot on dewormer

• No tablets - easy spot-on application
• Fast acting
• Usually safe for all breeds and pregnant / nursing pets (please check safety considerations and product specifications before applying worming treatment)
• No vet supervision needed to apply
• Available without an expensive prescription

Considerations of spot on dewormer

• 48-hour gap required between a spot on wormer treatment and other spot-on treatments, like flea treatment 
• Some pets, especially cats may try to lick the application site which isn’t safe for them and can make the treatment ineffective
• Liquid can unsettle sensitive pets until dry, some pets may prefer tablets

Traditional worming tablets

Benefits to worm tablets

• Fast acting
• Safe for all breeds (please check safety considerations and product specifications before giving worming tablet)
• Usually no maximum dosage, ideal for big pets
• Quick administration - Can be given as a whole tablet or crushed up

Considerations of worm tablets

• Tablet size can make administration tricky for some pets, especially cats
• Picky pets may eat around a crushed tablet
• Usually not suitable for pregnant pets

So Spot On Wormer treatment is just as effective and fast acting as Worming Tablets. They can even be a better option for some pet owners with fussy or sensitive furballs. The particular worms a treatment will kill (both spot on and tablets) is down to the active ingredients within the formula - Always check this against the worms you’re looking to target when buying. Regardless of the deworming medication you opt for to use on your pet, it is important to keep up a consistent routine of deworming, like a Monthly Worming Subscription to protect your pet, your family and you from worms.