A guide to flea and worm treatments for cats and dogs

Getting your dog or cat treated for fleas and worms is crucial. These pesky parasites can hitchhike on your pet's fur or be ingested, making your furry friend unwell.

Though worms and fleas may seem like a small itch to scratch, they can cause severe side-effects if left untreated. Having a regular treatment plan in place is worthwhile for any good pet owner.

So before your home becomes a flea circus, take a look at how you can prevent infestation.

How often should you flea and worm your dog?

Your dog should receive flea treatment once every month, while worm treatment is something that needs looking at every 2 to 3 months.

But it depends on your dog's lifestyle and their age. If they're more of a social butterfly, your vet might recommend a more regular treatment plan.

When it comes to age, puppies are more susceptible to fleas because of their weaker immune systems. This might mean more frequent application than a grown-up pooch. Vets usually recommend that puppies get flea treatment at around 8 weeks old.

The same goes for worming. Puppies should be wormed every 2-3 weeks from 2-3 weeks old until they are 12 weeks old. After that, they should be wormed monthly until they reach 6 months of age.

Other factors can affect how often you'll need to flea or worm your dog. They might need more frequent worming if they're living in a home with vulnerable people. This might be children, the elderly, or those with weakened immune systems.

How often should you flea and worm your cat?

Cats should be treated for fleas monthly and for worms every 1 to 3 months. This can depend on their lifestyle, and whether they go outside to hunt.

Even if you have an indoor cat, don't be fooled. Fleas can hitchhike in on shoes and clothing - so your cat may still need monthly treatment.

When it comes to worms, it's recommended every 1 to 3 months, with some moggies needing more frequent treatment. For example, if they like to hunt outdoors.

Worm infestations can manifest as a pot-bellied appearance, weight loss despite a good appetite, diarrhoea or vomiting (possibly with visible worms), or a dull coat.

Flea infestations often lead to excessive scratching, small scabs, or flea dirt (flea faeces) in the fur.

Can you use flea and worm treatments together?

Sometimes, yes. Some flea and worm treatments can be used together, but you should always check with your vet first. Some products can be applied together, whilst others need a waiting period between applications to stop interactions or absorption issues.

While rare, some flea and wormers can have side effects. This might be vomiting, diarrhoea, skin irritation, or, in severe cases, even seizures. A vet can advise on how to monitor for any adverse reactions and what to do if they arise.

When should I start treating my pet for fleas and worms?

For puppies, its recommended you start flea treatment from 8 weeks. It'll need repeat applications too.

For adult dogs and cats, treatment should be monthly for fleas and every 1-3 months for worms, depending on the product and their lifestyle.

Every pet is different, so the best way to ensure they're getting what they need is to get advice from a vet.

How do flea treatments work?

Flea treatments, like spot-on treatments, use active ingredients. These are either absorbed into the skin or bloodstream or secreted through hair follicles to kill or prevent fleas. There are 3 main types of flea treatment:

Topical

Applied directly to the skin, typically between the shoulder blades, topical treatments spread through the pet's coat and kill fleas on contact.

Pros:

• Relatively fast-acting
• Effective
• Readily available

Cons:

• Some pets may experience skin irritation or allergic reactions.
• Some products can be messy or easily washed off during baths or swimming.
• It can sometimes run off into streams and affect wildlife populations too.

Oral

Usually a chewable tablet or liquid, oral treatments are absorbed into the bloodstream and kill fleas when they bite the pet.

Pros:

• Highly effective
• Convenient
• Not affected by bathing or swimming

Cons:

• May cause vomiting, diarrhoea, or other gastrointestinal issues in some pets
• Can be more expensive than topical treatments

Natural

Natural remedies, such as diatomaceous earth, apple cider vinegar, or essential oils, are often used with the intention of repelling or killing fleas.

Pros:

• Can be inexpensive
• Readily available

Cons:

• Lack strong scientific evidence of effectiveness
• Some essential oils can be toxic to cats

These treatments can either kill fleas on contact or work by interfering with their nervous system, causing paralysis and death. Some treatments also target flea eggs and larvae, preventing them from developing in the first place.

The time it takes for flea treatment to work depends on the level of infestation. Your pet's general health and immune system can also effect the length of the process.

You can typically expect to see improvement within a few days, with a significant reduction in flea numbers within a couple of weeks. However, complete eradication can take longer, potentially several weeks, due to the flea life cycle.

It's also important that you treat your home environment too. Wash your pet's bedding and vacuum thoroughly alongside their treatment. If you've got other pets in the house, it's important they're treated too to stop further infestation.

What happens if you miss a treatment?

If you realize that you forgot to give your pet medication on time, don’t panic — but do call your veterinarian to find out your next steps.

If you miss that monthly dose of flea or worm medication, your pet is at a potential risk of getting flea or tick bites, which can transmit some serious diseases.

Fleas can transmit cat scratch disease (Bartonellosis) and cause flea anaemia, especially in pets.

Depending on the medication missed and by how long, they’ll advise you when to give the next dose. They’ll also let you know if they might need a new prescription for a different formulation or medication. Your furry friend might even need additional blood tests before restarting treatment (sometimes this may be recommended for missed heartworm medication doses).

Our lives are jam-packed, so it's easy to lose track of time. They might be vocal when it comes to getting treats, but your pet isn't going to give you any reminders when it comes to their medication.

It's worth tracking their doses on a calendar. Or setting up a phone reminder to give you a nudge when it's time to give your furry friend their treatment.

What health risks are associated with fleas?

Fleas don't just cause itching. They can also transmit diseases to both humans and animals. They can carry bacteria like Bartonella (linked to cat scratch disease) and the parasites that cause tapeworms in pets. In rare cases, fleas can transmit flea-borne typhus to humans.

Here are some more diseases transmitted to pets via flea:

• Tapeworms: Pets can eat infected fleas while grooming, leading to tapeworm infestations.
• Bartonella (cat scratch disease): Fleas can carry this bacteria, which can be spread to pets through scratches or bites.
• Flea allergy dermatitis (FAD): Some pets are allergic to flea saliva, causing severe itching and skin problems.
• Anaemia: In severe flea infestations, particularly in young or small animals, blood loss can lead to anaemia.

Signs your cat or dog might have fleas

There are a few common signs that your dog might have fleas:

• Excessive scratching: Pets may scratch, bite, or lick themselves more frequently than usual, particularly around the base of the tail, groin, belly, and under the legs.
• Visible flea dirt: Flea dirt, which looks like tiny black specks, is actually dried blood excreted by fleas.
• Irritated skin: Fleas can cause red, bumpy skin, and even small scabs, especially in areas where they tend to bite.
• Hair loss: Hair loss can occur due to the constant itching and scratching.
• Fatigue: Some pets may become lethargic or restless due to the discomfort caused by fleas.
• Visible Fleas: We often think of tiny jumping insects when we hear the word flea. But they're not always easy to see with the naked eye. You're more likely to see flea dirt than the fleas themselves, but keep an eye out. Adult fleas are very small, about the size of a fleck of pepper. They are often easier to spot on pets with lighter-coloured fur.

How do worming treatments work?

Worming treatments typically work by either killing the worms or interfering with their ability to absorb nutrients, causing them to be expelled from the body.

Different worming treatments are effective against different types of worms, such as roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, and lungworms. Some treatments only kill adult worms, while others may also target larvae or eggs.

Some worming medications, like mebendazole and albendazole, work by stopping the worms from absorbing glucose (sugar). Without glucose, the worms' cells lose their energy source, and die.

Other medications, like praziquantel and ivermectin, paralyse the worms' nervous systems or muscles. This paralysis causes the worms to detach from the intestinal walls and be removed through the digestive tract.

How do worms affect cats and dogs?

Worms, particularly intestinal worms like roundworms and hookworms, can cause a variety of different health issues in cats and dogs:

• Nutritional deficiencies: Worms live in the intestines and feed on the host's food, stealing vital nutrients and leading to malnutrition and weight loss.
• Anaemia: Some worms, like hookworms, can cause blood loss, leading to anaemia, particularly in young animals.
• Digestive Issues: Intestinal worms can disrupt the digestive system, causing vomiting, diarrhoea, and general discomfort.
• Respiratory Problems: Lungworms and heartworms can cause coughing, difficulty breathing, and other respiratory issues.

There's also the chance that worms can be spread to humans. Roundworms, for example, can be transmitted to people through accidental ingestion of eggs, especially in children who play in contaminated soil.

Signs your cat or dog might have worms

• Visible worms or segments: May be seen as small, white, rice-like segments in the stool or around their bum. Roundworms can sometimes be seen in vomit or poo.
• Diarrhoea: Persistent or severe diarrhoea, sometimes with blood, is a common sign.
• Vomiting: Worms can cause vomiting, and sometimes the worms themselves may be visible in the vomit.
• Changes in appetite: Tapeworms often cause an increase in appetite in your pet, but a loss of appetite can also be a sign your dog has worms.
• Weight loss: Even if your pet is still eating as normal, pets with worms might lose weight as the parasites take nutrients.
• Pot-bellied appearance: This is particularly common in puppies and kittens.
• Scooting: Dragging their bottom on the ground to relieve irritation from worms or eggs.
• Dull coat: If your pet's fur becomes dry and lifeless, it might be a sign of worm infestation.
• Lethargy: No more zoomies? Worms can drain energy from your pet, leaving them tired and out of sorts.
• Breathing difficulties: In severe cases, particularly with lungworms, your pet might have difficulty breathing. Roundworms and lungworms can also cause coughing as they migrate through the lungs.
• Pale gums: Anaemia can be caused by hookworms, leading to pale gums.

It's important to note that not all pets will show obvious symptoms for worms. It's always best to take them to a vet for proper diagnosis and treatment. Different worms need different treatment, so it's important to get a vet to determine what kind.

While many cases of worms might not be immediately life threatening, they can cause serious illness and, if left untreated, even lead to death.

What should I do if my pet has fleas or worms?

• It's time to see a vet: The first course of action to take is to visit your local vet. They can properly diagnose your pet and prescribe the right medication moving forward.
• Flea treatment: A vet will recommend the most suitable flea treatment for your cat or dog.
• Prevention is key: Make sure to regularly wash your pet's bedding and keep your home clean to minimize the risk of infestations in future.

It's important that you consult a vet rather than trying to diagnose your pet yourself. There are many different types of treatment depending on the level of your pet's infestation. They'll also be able to see if your dog or cat has any other symptoms that will need to be treated.

How can I help prevent fleas and worms in my pet?

We've looked at the potential treatments for fleas and worms, but it's worth knowing how to prevent them in the first place. Let's take a look at some top tips for stopping fleas and worms starting trouble:

• Keeping pet bowls clean
• Clear up your pet's poo quickly and safely
• Regularly using flea and worm treatments
• Grooming pets and checking for signs of fleas in their fur

It's also important to make sure you're washing your hands after touching animals, as worms can also be transmitted to humans.

Does pet insurance cover flea and worm treatments?

Most pet insurance policies don't cover flea and worm treatments. But it's still worth getting your pet insured anyway.

That way, your covered for the price of vet treatments, so you can set aside money for routine flea and worm treatments like these.

When finding the right pet insurance plan, it's always best to shop around to compare prices. That way you can find the right policy for your dog or cat's individual needs.