It is clearly understood that when you discover that your cat has worms, it can be a very unpleasant experience for you. Finding worms is not only a frightful situation, but the presence of worms in a cat can also be a serious health concern for her.
However, there are a number of home remedies for worms in cats. You must also be known for the preventive measures to lessen the chances of getting an infestation in the future.
The leading cause of contracting worms is coming in contact with parasite eggs or infected feces. There are chances that these things are ingested by the cat when she cleans her fur and feet.
Even if you have an indoor cat, this condition can occur in them as easily as worms are found in outdoor cats. If you are an owner of multiple cats and they share the same litter box, then it can be contaminated with infected feces.
The outdoor cats have a habit of hunting small rodents. It is also a high risk of contracting worms as these worms may live in the muscle tissues of the prey.
Once a cat eats a rodent infected with worm larvae, she will develop a worm infestation.
Before going to the home remedies for worms in kittens and adult cats, it would be good to know about the types of worms found in cats as well as the symptoms of worms in the cats.
Types of worms in cats
The most common types of worms found in cats include:
- Roundworms
- Hookworms
- Tapeworms
- Whipworms
Other types of worms that are less commonly found in cats, but can result in serious health problems, include:
- Lungworms
- Stomach worms
- Bladder worms
- Liver flukes
- Heartworms
Symptoms of worms in cats
In some cases, the worms in cats show no symptoms at all, while in some cases, this condition can be severe and life-threatening. It completely depends on the type of worms in a cat and the severity of the infestation. The common symptoms of worms in cats are:
- Vomiting (sometimes you may find worms in the vomit)
- Diarrhea
- Tarry feces
- Weight loss
- Swollen abdomen
- Skin lesions
- Dull coat
When this condition is left untreated, and a cat does not get proper treatment at the right time, worm infestation gets worse and can lead to severe symptoms, such as:
- Weakness
- Dehydration
- Pale lips and gums due to anemia
- Low blood pressure
- Shock
- Death, in extreme cases
Home remedies for worms in cats
Let’s have a look at some of the effective home remedies for worms in cats.
- Pumpkin seeds
Pumpkin seeds are considered one of the most effective deforming agents. They contain an amino acid called cucurbitacin. This amino acid works well in paralyzing the worms in a cat and makes these worms easily get eliminated from the intestine.
You can give whole pumpkin seeds to your cat, or you can opt to grind them and add them to the cat’s food. Make sure to take the unsalted pumpkin seeds. Take one teaspoon per 10 lbs of cat’s body weight and give it every alternative day.
- Carrots
We all know that carrots are a great source of vitamin A. But, do you know that carts are also beneficial in getting rid of worms in cats? The chopped carrots are so powerful that they scrape the walls of the cat’s stomach and gut when they digest these pieces. Further, they remove mucus and any parasites that exist within the stomach.
You can feed carrots as a tasty treat to your cat, or you can also give carrots at their mealtime. Carrots are completely safe for carrots and also work great in boosting the immune system. Carrots are also a great source of nutrients for cats.
- Apple cider vinegar
It may sound odd to you, but it is true. Apple cider vinegar is one of the great home remedies for worms in cats and other pets. Apple cider vinegar has been using as a home remedy for various health benefits. You have to use fermented ACV for your four-legged friends.
ACV works by increasing the alkaline levels in the cat’s intestine and making it unwelcoming for parasites and worms. For this, you have to take one teaspoon of raw organic ACV and add it to your cat’s water bowl every day. You will observe a great improvement in the cat’s coat condition and other health benefits.
- Turmeric
Turmeric has been counted in the list of superfoods since ancient times. It has been used to boost the immune system for many centuries. The anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-fungal properties of turmeric make it one of the best home remedies for worms in kittens and adult cats.
The four compounds present in turmeric help in getting rid of worms and also has the ability to repair the damage caused by these pesky parasites to the cat’s intestine. Thus, your cat gets a healthy gut. Turmeric is hard to absorb in cats. So, it is recommended to combine turmeric with any healthy oil to make a paste and feed it to your cat.
- Parsley water
Take some parsley leaves and brew a homemade tea to feed it to your cat as a gentle and natural diuretic. This parsley water is full of antioxidants and nutrients and is also highly beneficial for the digestive system.
To make this parsley tea, boil a bunch of parsley leaves in a bowl of water, boil them for 10-15 minutes, strain and then allow this water to cool. Now, you have to add half a tablespoon of this cooled tea to your cat’s water bowl for ten days continuously. It will improve her digestive system and eliminate parasites and worms.
- Thyme
It is a plant that is known for its powerful antiseptic activity. Thus, thyme use helps effectively eliminate the parasites and worms in your cat’s gastrointestinal tract. The use of thyme is entirely safe for cats.
Just take some thyme and crush it to get a powder. Then, take one tablespoon of ground thyme and add it to the cat’s food once a day for many days.
- Essential tea tree oil
The essential tea tree oil is highly beneficial to fight against all external parasites affecting your cat. Tea tree oil acts as a repellent and also prevents future worm infestations. You can use tea tree essential oil as one of the great home remedies for worms in cats in two ways.
First, add some drops of tea tree essential oil to a cat shampoo for the skin benefits of your cat.
Second, apply some oil onto the skin of your cat before giving her a bath. 5-6 drops are enough for your cat. Make sure not to apply this oil to the injury or damaged skin. If your cat has any kind of skin problem, it is recommended to add 20 drops of tea tree essential oil in 100ml of any ordinary vegetable oil. Then, apply a small amount onto the cat’s skin.
- Food-grade diatomaceous earth
If you are looking for home remedies for worms in kittens and adult cats, you are advised to mix two teaspoons of food-grade diatomaceous earth into the food of your cat. It recommends using this home remedy for a month to eliminate parasites and worms from the cat’s intestines.
If the treatment is taking longer than one month, it means you need to consult the vet. It is also found that if you dust the cat’s coat with food-grade diatomaceous earth once a week, it will be beneficial in killing fleas that may cause parasite or worm infestations.
Prevention is the best tool
We all know that prevention is better than cure. So, it means you need to prevent your cat from getting parasites or worms in the future. You must know that fleas can give worms to your cat. So, you must ask your vet to know the kind of flea treatment that is best for your cat.
If you notice flea infestation, make sure to wash your cat’s bedding thoroughly and also clean her sitting place, including the litter box. If you have dogs or other pets in your home, don’t forget to treat them as well. It is also advised to spray your yard with anti-flea spray. Make sure to check that it should be safe for pets.
Always keep in mind that cats can get various types of worms by eating rats and birds, or kittens can get worms by drinking contaminated milk from their mother. Your cat can also get in contact with another infected cat or animal. If you have an indoor cat and if she goes outdoors, make sure to keep her stay in your yard only. This way, she will not interact with other infected animals.
Final Words
Treating and preventing worms using natural ways ensures your cat stays healthy. But, at the same time, you are recommended to schedule a vet visit twice a year to check if there are any parasites or worms in your cat’s stomach. These home remedies for worms in cats will help in eliminating parasites and worms in your cat. If there is a severe condition, don’t delay visiting the vet as soon as possible.
