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Table of Contents
What worms do kittens get?
How can you tell if a kitten has worms?
How to get rid of worms in kittens
How often should kittens be wormed?
How quickly does worm treatment work?
Can fleas give my kitten worms?
Can worms go away without treatment?
FAQs
Kittens with worms need suitable and regular deworming treatment to get rid of worms. A worming treatment right for them will be tailored to their age and weight, to make it safe and effective for your kitten. It’s safest to treat your kitten for worms, even if they show no symptoms because worm infections can be asymptomatic. Kittens are small and vulnerable, so untreated worms can sometimes cause more serious health problems than they would in a healthy adult cat.
The most common intestinal worms found in kittens are:
Roundworms
Long, pale worms that resemble spaghetti. Kittens can become infected with roundworms through their mother, including via her milk, which means even very young kittens may carry them.
Tapeworms
Long, flat worms made up of individual segments. These segments may sometimes be visible around a kitten's bottom, in their bedding or in the litter tray. They often resemble small grains of rice.
Sometimes kittens with worms show no obvious symptoms, which is why regular worm treatment is important.
Possible signs of worms in kittens include:
A swollen or pot-bellied appearance
Worms or worm segments in their poo
Worms around the bottom
Scooting or licking around the bottom
Diarrhoea or vomiting
Poor weight gain
Weight loss
A dull or poor-quality coat
Increased or reduced appetite
In severe cases, a kitten may become weak, dehydrated or anaemic. A heavy worm burden can be particularly dangerous for young kittens because they have much smaller bodies and fewer reserves than adult cats.
If your kitten seems unwell, is repeatedly vomiting, has persistent diarrhoea or is failing to gain weight, contact your vet immediately.
Deworming treatment
The most reliable way to get rid of worms in kittens is to use recommended vet-approved worming treatment, like Itch Wormer Spot On Plus for Cats & Kittens - Suitable for all breeds of cats above 0.5kg, over 8 weeks old. Worm treatments are available in tablet form too but it’s difficult to encourage a small cat to eat a tablet. For cats that aren’t so fussy, Itch Worming Tablets for Kittens kill all common cat worms in kittens over 6 weeks old, weight 1kg+. So the best dewormer medication for your cat is one that suits them!
Clean your home
Good hygiene can help reduce the chances of reinfection. Remove poo from your kitten’s litter trays as soon as you can and clean the tray regularly. Wash bedding and blankets frequently, and vacuum areas where your kitten spends time.
Wash your hands after cleaning litter trays and before eating or preparing food. Some cat worms, like roundworms can infect humans, so good hygiene is particularly important in households with young children.
Kittens generally need worming more frequently than adult cats because they are particularly susceptible to infection. Start deworming your kitten from a few weeks old (with suitable worm treatment) and continue to regularly deworm during their first months of life. Click here for a personalised kitten worming schedule!
Once your kitten gets older, the frequency of worming may change depending on their lifestyle and risk factors. For example, cats that hunt, eat raw meat or regularly pick up fleas may have a higher risk of certain worms than indoor cats.
Many worming treatments get to work straight away and you should start to see a difference in your kitten’s behaviour within a few days, but the exact timeframe does depend on the active ingredient in the treatment and the worm parasite infesting your cat’s gut.
It’s normal to notice worms or worm segments in your kitten's poo after treatment. In other cases, you may not see anything at all because the worms can be broken down inside the digestive system. Not seeing worms in the litter tray doesn’t mean the treatment has failed.
If you continue seeing live worms after treatment, or symptoms do not improve, speak to your vet. Your kitten may need a stronger dose or further treatment.
Yes, if a kitten swallows a flea during an infestation they are likely to catch worms. It’s safest to use a kitten flea treatment as they develop to stop the spread of worms. Make sure to use a flea treatment that is safe and effective for kittens, like Itch Flea Spot-On Treatment for Kittens. Never use a flea product intended for dogs on a cat unless a vet because it usually includes active ingredients that are toxic for cats. If you spot fleas on your kitten, you need to treat your home too, as flea eggs and immature stages fall off your pet and breed in carpets, furniture and other areas around the house. A household flea spray, like Itch Flea House Spray kills fleas and flea eggs in one blast, to get rid of fleas in your home instantly.
No, the safest and quickest way to get rid of worms is with worming treatment. An untreated infection is likely to stick around and, in some cases, get worse over time. This is particularly concerning in kittens because a large number of worms can interfere with nutrition, growth and general health.
Regular worm treatment, flea prevention and good hygiene are the most effective ways to protect your kitten.If you are unsure which wormer is suitable, or your kitten appears unwell, speak to your vet. Getting the right treatment early can help remove existing worms and keep your kitten healthy as they grow.
Can I treat my kitten for worms at home?
Yes you can treat your kitten for worms at home, without a vet. This is doable with over-the-counter worming treatment, like Itch Wormer Tablets for Kittens and Itch Wormer Spot On Plus for Cats & Kittens which are fast and effective, vet-strength wormers.
How can I treat worms in my 8-week-old kitten?
You're in luck, an 8 week old kitten is old enough to take most worming treatments available, if their weight also meets the threshold for that product (double check the manufacturer's guidelines to be sure!). Treat your kitten with regular deworming medication in tablet or spot on liquid form. Use a vet-strength worming treatment that kills all common intestinal cat worms, like Itch Kitten Worming Tablets.
How often do I need to deworm my kitten?
In the first 6 months of your kitten's life, they need deworming 6 times. Here's when:
In the first 2-3 weeks, deworm your kitten once.
At 4 weeks, give your kitten a second worming treatment dose.
At 6 weeks, a third worming dose is required.
Now you don't need to deworm until they are 2 months old. Give one worming treatment at 2 months old.
Give a fifth worm treatment at 3 months old.
And a sixth treatment at 4 months old.
No need to deworm again until they are 6 months old. At 6 months old transitional to a less frequent worming schedule (i.e. 1 wormer dose every 3 months).
Still unsure? Take the Itch quiz to get a personalised recommendation for your pet and find out how often you should deworm your kitten.
Does a big belly on a kitten mean worms?
A pot belly can occur when a kitten has worms. If you see visible worms in their poo or around their bottom, or they show symptoms of a worm infection, then it's likely the big belly is being caused by worms in their gut.
Can my kitten give me worms?
Yes, kittens can easily spread worms to humans. If your kitten is infected with roundworms, it's possible to catch worms by accidentally swallowing worms, larvae or eggs. This usually happens by you touching contaminated fur, poo or surfaces and not washing your hands.
Itch Wormer Spot-On Plus for Cats kills roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms and newly hatched larvae in a one easy, spot on application. No tricky tablets for fussy cats. No expensive prescription. Just one pipette dose of vet-strength worm treatment to kill common intestinal cat worms.
Safe and effective for all breeds of cats and kittens, including pregnant and lactating cats.
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Bringing home a new puppy or kitten is an exciting moment but with the cuddles and playtime comes an important responsibility: protecting your pet from parasites. Fleas, ticks, and worms are not just a nuisance, they can pose serious health risks, especially for young pets with developing immune systems. Scroll to find out when to start treatments and the signs of fleas, ticks and worms so you can stay on top of their health!
Worm eggs come from intestinal worms and can be deposited all over your home. Worm eggs can survive on surfaces, bedding, clothing and household items for a long time, increasing the risk of reinfection and transmission to others. In order to kill worm eggs, you need to identify the parasitic worms and use a worming treatment that kills them. Keep reading to find out the best worm treatment to kill eggs on surfaces and stop infestation in your home.
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