If you clicked on this article, you’re probably a mindful cat parent who’s already aware that you should deworm your feline companion regularly. But do you know what worms could do to your cat If left untreated, or what to expect after deworming your cat? Let’s explore some practical tips and solutions to help care for your little furball after deworming.
Deworming Cats
What Does it Mean to Deworm Your Cat?
Let’s start with the basics in case you’re starting from square one. Deworming in cats refers to the process of eliminating intestinal parasites, such as worms, from your cat’s body.
Why Do Cats Need Deworming?
Worms can lead to various health issues in your cat including diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, anemia, and even organ damage.
Cats can become infected with worms through the ingestion of contaminated food, water, soil, or even feces (yuck!). Certain types of worms can even be transmitted from a mama cat to her kittens during pregnancy or nursing. They can also acquire worms from other animals such as rodents, birds, or fleas. Suddenly, letting them live out their hunter fantasies isn’t quite so romantic anymore, is it?
Worm infestations can affect cats of any age, breed, or lifestyle, but they are more common in kittens, outdoor cats, and cats with compromised immune systems. Deworming is essential to safeguard more than just your cat’s health – it helps prevent parasites from spreading among other cats, to other animals, or even to humans.
So as you can see, even if you take good care of your four-legged friend, they may still need to be dewormed to protect against the threat these parasites represent to everyone. Fortunately, Nature Pet Store has some natural solutions for deworming your cat that are capable of not only killing these parasites, but also preventing them from reproducing.
What to Expect After Deworming Your Cat
Monitoring Your Cat’s Health After Deworming
It’s crucial that you monitor your cat’s health and behavior after deworming to observe any improvements or worsening conditions. Check your cat’s stool for worms or segments that may have been expelled – this is normal and indicates that the treatment is working. However, if you notice any blood, mucus, or unusual changes in your cat’s stool color or consistency, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Managing Potential Side Effects After Deworming
Deworming medications are generally safe and effective for cats, but they may cause mild side effects in some cases. These can include:
- Nausea, Vomiting, and Diarrhea: Deworming medication can sometimes lead to temporary gastrointestinal discomfort and related symptoms in cats, but they are typically mild and should improve within a few days.
-
Loss of Appetite: Cats may experience a temporary loss of appetite after taking deworming medication. This is often due to the unusual taste or sensation associated with it. To address this, it can be helpful to offer your cat small amounts of bland and easily digestible food during this period to encourage them to eat. Boiled chicken or rice can be good options, but you should consult with your veterinarian for specific dietary recommendations.
- Lethargy: Deworming can make cats feel a bit sluggish for a short time. This is a normal response as their bodies process the medication and eliminate the parasites. Providing a comfortable, familiar, and quiet environment free of stressors and disturbances for your cat can help them rest and recover.
- Allergic Reactions: While rare, some cats may have an allergic reaction to deworming medication. If you notice any signs of an allergic reaction such as swelling, hives, difficulty breathing, or excessive salivation, seek immediate veterinary attention.
Usually, these effects are temporary and should subside within a few days, but if they persist or worsen, it is advisable the consult your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Setting Realistic Expectations for Recovery After Deworming
How long it takes your cat to feel 100% themselves again will depend on the type and severity of the parasitic infection. Factors that may influence recovery time include:
- The type of worm and the specific medication used for treatment.
- The infestation level, including the number of worms and their location in the cat’s body.
- The age of overall health of your cat.
- The frequency and duration of the treatment administered.
Typically, recovery can range from a few days to a few weeks. Roundworm infections might get resolved within several days, whereas tapeworms could take up to a month to be fully eradicated. Regular deworming treatments every few months are advisable to ensure the complete elimination of worms and to prevent future reinfections.
Best Aftercare Practices After Deworming
Hygiene and Cleaning Practices
After deworming your cat, one of the most important steps is to maintain good hygiene and cleaning practices. This helps prevent reinfection or cross-infection. Here are some tips to follow:
- Promptly and safely dispose of your cat’s feces.
- Regularly clean and disinfect their litter box.
- Always wash your hands thoroughly after handling your cat or their waste.
- Frequently wash your cat’s bedding, toys, and grooming tools.
- Keep your cat indoors, or limit their outdoor access to reduce exposure to other animals or sources of contamination.
- Prevent your cat from hunting or consuming rodents, birds, or insects which may carry worms.
- Treat your cat for fleas or ticks, as these pests can transmit worms.
Dietary Considerations
Another way to help your cat recover after deworming is to provide a balanced and nutritious diet to support their health and well-being. Some dietary considerations are:
- Choose high-quality cat food that meets your cat’s nutritional needs and preferences.
- Avoid feeding your cat raw or undercooked meat, fish, or eggs which could contain worms or harmful bacteria.
- Reinforce your cat’s diet with Arrowleaf Pet Intesti Care, a natural, daily intestinal supplement which can help with digestive issues. It features a powerful blend of nutrient-rich ingredients like pumpkin seeds, slippery elm, ginger, and thyme which all work together to promote a healthy gut and ease digestion. As an added bonus, the diatomaceous earth it contains creates an inhospitable environment in the gut for parasites that can aid in your deworming efforts.
- You may want to ease your pet back into their normal diet to avoid upsetting their stomach. Gradually reintroduce their regular food over a few days as they recover.
Does Your Cat Have an Acute Infestation?
If your cat has an acute (and not so cute) infestation of wriggling freeloaders, I recommend trying Arrowleaf Pet D Wormer, a natural herbal remedy designed for acute infestations. This potent dewormer supports the expulsion of intestinal parasites and aids in maintaining your cat’s digestive health. It’s perfect for pet parents seeking a more natural alternative to conventional treatments and works amazingly well when paired with Arrowleaf Pet Intesti Care for a comprehensive, worm-busting one-two punch!
One of the key ingredients in D Wormer is the aptly named wormwood, which is a popular method of ridding your cat’s intestinal tract of roundworms, tapeworms, pinworms, and threadworms. It’s joined by other notable antiparasitic components like black walnut hulls whose primary active constituent, juglone, helps eliminate microbes from the large intestine with its high tannin content that also oxygenates the blood to kill parasites. Black cumin’s active ingredient, thymoquinone, can kill tapeworm segments and precursors, and papaya leaf contains enzymes that break down intestinal parasites.
I could go on, but the proof is in the pudding, so to speak. If your cat’s suffering from a nasty infestation, consider giving D Wormer a try and see the results for yourself. However, as with any health supplement for pets, it is advisable to consult with a veterinarian before beginning treatment to ensure it is suitable for your cat’s specific health needs.
If you need supplements, remedies, or wound care products, just remember that there is only one place to go for the best scientifically-supported natural pet healthcare: Nature Pet Store.
Visit us today and discover how we can help you and your furry friends!
