What if my cat won’t eat the deworming pill?

Why won’t my cat eat their worming tablet?

Cats may reject medication because they don’t like the smell, taste or texture. Even a flavoured worming tablet might not work and some cats are smart enough to find hidden tablets.

It’s good to know whether your cat is refusing to eat because of the tablet, or refusing to eat all together. Usually worm infections cause cats to eat more as the worms in their gut are stealing nutrients, leading to an increased appetite but no weight gain or even weight loss. If your cat is turning down their usual meal, there could be more going on. 1.8 million cats a year in the UK are diagnosed with dental disease - It could be a mouth issue, or something else. Chat to your vet if you have any concerns.

Try hiding deworming pill in a treat

First, check the product instructions and ask your vet whether the dewormer pill can be given with food. Some medicines have specific requirements, so don’t assume the same method suits every tablet. Itch Wormer Tablets for cats are safe to give with food, like hidden in a treat or can be crushed over your pet’s meal.

Hide the tailored dose in a small amount of wet food, plain cooked chicken or a soft treat designed to hold tablets. Offer a plain treat first, then the medicated one, followed by another plain treat. Make sure your cat swallows the tablet rather than eating around it.

Can I crush a deworming pill?

Most worming tablets can be crushed and added to cat food, but double check this with the manufacturers instructions or your vet.

For deworming pills you can crush, like Itch worming tablets for cats, mix the powdered dose thoroughly into a small portion of food or a cat treat paste. Make sure your cat eats every bit and if they don’t want it, stop and try another method. 

Try spot on wormer treatment

Sometimes worm tablets are never going to work with your cat, no matter how hard you try. Tablets aren’t the only option. Spot-on worm treatments, like Itch Wormer Spot On Plus are available for cats of all sizes and since they’re applied directly to the skin, there’s no need to wrestle with your cat. And don’t be fooled. Spot on wormer is just as effective as worming tablets to treat worms and stop the spread of infection.

What if my cat spits out their deworming pill or vomits?

If your cat spits out the tablet or vomits after deworming treatment, don’t automatically give another full dose. You don’t know how much medicine they have swallowed or absorbed.

It’s safest to not give your cat a second dose straight away. Some worm treatments can be given twice in the instance that you don’t think your cat has taken the dose properly. But it is possible to overdose your cat with worming tablets if you’re not careful. Common signs of overdose dewormer in cats are symptoms of sickness, diarrhoea, lethargy, drooling and tremors or seizures. If your cat is showing any of these side effects, contact your vet immediately. 

Sometimes worming treatment can cause an upset stomach in pets for a couple of hours after administering it. So it’s fairly normal to see your cat unwell after a worming tablet. Monitor their sickness, if it lasts longer than 4 hours then contact your vet.

Safe and effective deworming routine

To keep your cat, family and yourself safe, have a deworming plan that is suited to your cat’s lifestyle and parasite risk. Hunting and fleas can expose cats to worms, so effective flea treatment is just as important as worming treatment. Find the right deworming medication for your cat, opt for a spot on wormer if tablets aren’t working!