How Often Should You Deworm Dogs and Cats? Common Questions Answered

"How often should I deworm my dog?", "Can a 2-month-old puppy be dewormed?", "Should I deworm my cat before or after a meal?" These are among the most searched pet questions. Deworming sounds simple, but doing it the wrong way or at the wrong time can make it less effective, or even harm your pet. This article answers the most common questions.

Note: This article is for reference only. The product, dose and deworming schedule should be prescribed by a vet based on each pet's weight, age and health.

Common intestinal parasites in dogs and cats include roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and tapeworms. Dogs are also at risk of heartworm, which is spread by mosquito bites. Some worms can pass to people, especially young children, so deworming your pet also protects your family.

Dogs and cats can get worms:

• From their mother during pregnancy or nursing.
• By swallowing worm eggs in soil, faeces or raw food.
• From fleas (linked to tapeworm).
• By hunting mice, birds or insects.

• A pot belly, thin body and slow growth (especially in puppies and kittens).
• Diarrhoea, mucus in the stool, or visible worms or tapeworm segments.
• Vomiting, sometimes with worms.
• A dull, rough coat.
• Scooting on the floor.
• Lethargy and anaemia (pale gums).

Many infections show no clear signs, so regular deworming matters more than waiting for symptoms. If your pet has any of the signs above, take it to the vet for testing and proper treatment.

There is no single number for every pet. Common guidance:

• Puppies and kittens: dewormed early and repeatedly in the first months, much more often than adults.
• Adult dogs and cats: dewormed regularly, often a few months apart. Pets that go outside, eat raw food, hunt or live with young children may need a more frequent schedule.
• Pregnant or nursing mothers: need individual advice from a vet.

The exact schedule should come from your vet once they know your pet's lifestyle.

Questions about deworming 1- or 2-month-old puppies are very common. Puppies and kittens are usually dewormed early, but only with a product suitable for their age and weight. Many products are only for animals above a certain age or weight. Never split an adult dog's tablet for a puppy yourself.

It depends on the product. Some work best on an empty stomach, others are given with food to reduce stomach upset. Read the label carefully and follow your vet's advice.

Many vets recommend deworming some time before vaccination so your pet is healthier and responds better to the vaccine. Ask your clinic to plan both schedules together. See also the dog vaccination schedule and the kitten vaccination and deworming schedule.

• Using a dog product on a cat or vice versa. Some ingredients that are safe for dogs can be dangerous for cats.
• Guessing the dose. Doses depend on weight; too much can poison your pet, too little won't work.
• Deworming once and stopping. Repeat on schedule, as the medicine doesn't prevent reinfection for long.
• Ignoring fleas. Fleas raise the risk of tapeworm, so treat them too.
• Deworming a sick pet. If your pet has severe diarrhoea, isn't eating or has a fever, see a vet first.

Some pets may pass worms in their stool, have slightly loose stools or be mildly tired for a short time. If your pet vomits a lot, has seizures, is very lethargic or stops eating for a long time, contact a vet right away. Clean toileting areas and litter trays to limit reinfection.

Remembering the date of the last deworming, which product was used and how much your pet weighed at the time is often hard. With PetID:

• A digital health record stores the deworming, vaccination and weight history of each pet.
• Your vet can review past doses to choose the right product and schedule.
• Book deworming or checkups at partner clinics on your phone.
• Find care products at PetID partner pet shops, after getting your vet's advice.

• Puppies and kittens need deworming earlier and more often than adults.
• Use the right product for the right species and weight, as prescribed by a vet.
• Deworm regularly even without symptoms.
• Log every deworming so you never miss a date.

Create your pet's profile on PetID to keep track of deworming and book vet visits easily.