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Table of Contents
How do deworming tablets work?
How to tell if your pet’s worming tablets are not working
Why are my pet’s worming tablets not working?
Should I try a different worm treatment for my pet?
FAQs about worming tablets not working
Worming tablets are a fast and effective treatment to kill common intestinal worms like roundworms and tapeworms. If your pet’s worming tablets aren’t working and you are still seeing worms, this could mean the deworming tablets you are using aren’t effective for your pet’s infestation or the treatment is wrong for your pet. Let’s dive into all the reasons the worm treatment is failing and find a solution that’s best for you and your pet!
Dewormer tablets for cats and dogs is effective worm treatment because the active ingredients within the tablet kill worms infesting a pet’s gastro-intestinal tract. A pet swallows a worming tablet and the treatment goes straight to their gut, where the worms are living and causes immediate paralysis. Over the next 48 hours, the worms will gradually leave a pet’s intestines and exit via their poop. This is why you often see visible worms in a pet’s poop, a few days after using dewormer tablets. In this case, the worming treatment is working and you should allow a week to see positive results, like improvements in your pet’s behaviour and appetite.
There are several signs that make it obvious your pet’s dewormer tablets are failing to get rid of worms.
Here are the top ways to tell that pet’s worming tablets are not working:
Worms are still visible in pet poop, one week after using worm treatment
Your pet continues to have diarrhoea, vomiting or unexplained weight loss for a prolonged period of time.
A puppy or kitten has a swollen tummy, isn’t growing properly or seems unwell.
Your pet is progressively getting more ill or showing no improvements.
All of these symptoms indicate that your pet is still suffering from worms, but the infestation is likely getting worse. Contact your vet immediately if your pet shows any of the above signs.
If you suspect your pet’s dewormer tablets are not working to get rid of worms and your pet’s infestation is continuing, it could be down to the tablet itself or how you are administering it.
It could be…
The worming tablet dose is wrong for your pet
Dewormer tablets should only be given via a tailored dose that is based on your pet’s weight and age. This scientifically recommended dose means it is safe and effective at killing worms for that particular pet. If the worming dose is too strong or too weak, then it will have negative effects on a cat or dog. If you’re still seeing worms in your pet, make sure the dose is right for your pet’s weight and age - It’s likely that the worm treatment isn’t enough for your pet and requires an accurate dose. Itch Wormer Tablets for Cats and Itch Wormer Tablets for Dogs are tailored to your pet exactly and delivered for free, exactly when you need to treat your pet. Tell us about your pet here and we’ll recommend the correct dose and worming schedule completely free of charge!
The worming tablet isn’t designed to kill the worms your pet has
Not all deworming treatments are equal. Worming tablets will only target the worms they are designed to kill for example, a dewormer specifically for roundworms won’t kill whipworms. It’s important you are clear what worms the worming tablet kills. If you are still seeing worms, it might be that the dewormer tablet isn’t targeting the worms in your pet’s gastro-intestinal tract so the worms continue to infest.
How do I know what worms a tablet kills?
Check the product packaging or product information leaflet (PIL) inside which should clearly outline which intestinal worms the tablet is targeting. If you no longer have the product box or PIL, you can search the product on the Veterinary Medicines Directorate database and check on the Product Specification Certificate.
Your pet has been reinfested
It is very easy for a pet to get reinfested with newly hatched worm larvae. They can pick these up by licking contaminated areas and worm larvae enters their mouth to find its way to your pet's gastrointestinal tract. It's crucial if your pet has worms to use a worming treatment that targets both adult worms and worm larvae, so you can prevent ongoing infestation and get rid of worms completely. Worms are a serious health concern for us, as well as our pets so active infestations should be treated urgently.
Your pet hasn’t swallowed all of the worm treatment dose
Not all cats and dogs like swallowing tablets, which means it can be tricky to give a deworming pill effectively. Pets can easily spit parts of the pill out or pretend to eat it, but it’s really just under their tongue. This can make it difficult to know whether a pet has truly taken its recommended worming dose.
You should always supervise a pet when administering a worming tablet to ensure they swallow the entire dose. If a pet can’t eat the tablet dose as a whole, crush it into a powder and sprinkle it onto pet food. It can be a faff, especially with a tricky pet. We’ve popped our top tips for giving worming tablets and video tutorials on How To Give A Deworming Pill To A Cat and A Dog here!
You didn’t give the worming tablet with or after food
In order for dewormer tablets to be effective, they should not be given to a pet on an empty stomach. This can make the treatment ineffective as it is not absorbed correctly in the pet’s intestines. More importantly, it can make a pet unwell after a deworming pill. Only give worming tablets with food or after a pet’s meal.
If the worming treatment isn’t designed to kill the worms infesting your pet, you need to switch treatments. The longer you leave an active worm infestation, the more serious it becomes and can severely impact your pet’s health.
Pets that won’t take their deworming pill shouldn’t be forced. Instead, try a different worm treatment type like spot on worming treatment. For cats, Itch Wormer Spot On Plus is perfect for fussy cats who refuse to take a dewormer tablet, no matter how much you try and hide it.
Pet worming tablets usually fail if they are given incorrectly or the formula doesn’t target the specific worms infesting the pet. Always give a pet a recommended worming dose which is calculated based on their weight and age. If you suspect the worm treatment is not right for your pet and you want to switch treatments, do this safely by allowing time between each worming treatment to avoid an overdose.
What to do when worming tablets don't work?
If you suspect your pet's worming tablets are working, start by checking the worm medicine to see what worms it targets and kills. It might be that the treatment you are using, isn't right for your pet's infestation. Opt for a different deworming treatment, one that is vet-strength and targets worm eggs and larvae, not just adult worms - This will stop an infestation and worms won't keep coming back.
How long do worming tablets take to kick in?
Because worming tablets are digested, they tend to get to work very quickly and normally start to kill worms within a few hours. This means you might see dead worms exit via a pet's poop over the following 48 hours.
Is there an alternative to worming tablets for cats?
Yes, the main alternative treatment option for cats is a spot on worming treatment. This is best for cats who are fussy or refuse to take deworming tablets. Spot on treatment like Itch Wormer Spot On Plus for Cats is vet-strength and unlike other worm medicines, it targets roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms and newly hatched larvae in a one easy, spot on application.
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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The ever so interesting topic of worms... said no one ever. Let’s cut the cr*p, as pet owners worming your animal is not at all that glamorous and it can be a task we very easily forget. As much as this might be the case, doing right by our pet comes first and knowing a little bit more about cat worms and dog worms will help you act fast to prevent any serious issues (and of course sky high vet bills).
Giving a cat a tablet can feel like an impossible task. Between the sharp claws, suspicious glares, quick dashes to the corner of the room, it’s no wonder many pet owners struggle. But with the right approach, a calm mindset, and a few practical techniques, you can safely and effectively give your cat medication.
Let’s walk you through simple, vet-approved methods for giving tablets to cats. And then jump to giving cats worming tablets and how to make dewormer treatment for cats as easy and stress-free as possible.
