Key Milestones: When to Worm, Vaccinate, and Neuter Your Cat

Worming

Taking good care of your cat's health starts early, and one of the important components of their first-year care is worming. Worms can affect your cat's digestive system, growth, and overall health, making timely treatments necessary. Inspect the worming history starting from the time you brought your kitten home. Your breeder or shelter probably started a worming program, and you should know what products they used and when the treatments were given. Kittens are typically initially wormed at two weeks of age, then again at five, eight, and 12 weeks. This worming kittens under a 12-week schedule helps ensure they’re protected against early parasites and supports healthy growth. Post this, kittens should be dewormed monthly until six months old, while adults should have a routine of quarterly/four times a year.

While the common deworming routine is predominantly adopted, one of the many queries prevalent among cat owners is - when can you worm a kitten? Well, there are certain visible signs that might guide you to decide upon it. If your cat is losing weight drastically or has a severe loss of appetite, it might be indicative of a quick need for worming. Secondly, if there are visible worms in their excreta or they develop a vomiting tendency you might consider worming. A vet’s consultation is your guiding spirit when it comes to worming cats. Also, check out if your cat is allergic to any particular drug and consider avoiding the same.

If you are unsure of this worming process for cats, please feel free to contact one of our Animal Health Advisors (SQPs) who are on hand to advise a suitable treatment program for your pet. Call us on 0203 675 0780 (Mon-Fri).

To guide you with the basics, we have detailed some of the popularly prescribed dewormers in the market:

Drontal Cat Worming Tablet

• Drontal cat worming tablets work quickly to combat intestinal worms.
• Available in two different tablet strengths.
• Kills all types of intestinal worms commonly found in UK cats.
• Suitable for use in both kittens and adult cats.
• Provides effective treatment after a single dose.

Cazitel Cat

• Kills roundworms and tapeworms effectively.
• Can be given directly or mixed in food.
• The dosage is 1 tablet per 4 kg of body weight.
• Tablets can be halved for more accurate dosing.
• Suitable for kittens from 6 weeks of age.

Droncit Spot On

• Successfully Kills tapeworms in cats.
• Contains 4 pipettes (1 per every 2.5kg of cat’s weight).
• Effective against the Dipylidium Caninum and Taenia species.
• Safe to use during pregnancy and lactation.
• Not suitable for cats weighing less than 1kg.

Dronspot Spot On

• Dronspot offers hassle-free worming for your cat.
• Kills all types of intestinal worms commonly found in UK cats.
• Safe to use during pregnancy and lactation.
• Not suitable for cats weighing less than 1kg.

Panacur

• Available in 10% Oral Suspension for Dogs & Cats; available as granules as well.
• Panacur is highly effective against roundworms and other intestinal parasites while being gentle on your pet.
• Ideal for puppies and kittens from 2 weeks of age.
• Safe to use during pregnancy and lactation.
• Can be given directly or mixed in food.

Flea Control

In addition to worming, it's important to regularly treat cats for fleas throughout the year. Fleas can cause irritation, flea allergy dermatitis, and even transmit worms. With an array of flea treatments available, it is now easy to manage infestations.

For instance, spot-on flea treatments are applied to the pet’s skin, typically at the scruff of the neck, after parting the fur. These products often contain adulticides that effectively eliminate adult fleas within 24 hours of application. Here is a quick overview of some of the leading spot-on flea treatments you can consider for your furry friend:

Frontline Spot-On For Cats

• Kills fleas within 24 hours and ticks within 48 hours.
• Protects flea reinfestation for up to 5 weeks in cats (apply every 4 weeks during peak season).
• Prevents re-infestation of ticks for 1 month.
• Safe to use during pregnancy and lactation.
• Suitable for Kittens 8 weeks old and over, weighing 1kg or more.

Advantage For Cats, Dog & Rabbits

• Rapid Onset - Stops flea biting within 5 minutes around the application area
• Quick action: Kills adult fleas within one hour after application
• Durable: Provides up to a month of reliable flea control and protection
• Safe for use in kittens and puppies over 8 weeks old, safe during lactation & pregnancy
• Advanced Formulation - Water Fast or Water-Proof for lasting effectiveness

Oral flea treatments for cats are becoming increasingly popular, as they target and eliminate adult fleas on your pet. These treatments are administered orally, providing an effective solution for flea control without the mess of topical treatments.

Capstar Flea Treatment For Cats & Dogs

• Orally administered treatment
• Starts to kill adult fleas after just 15 minutes
• Eliminates 100% of fleas from a pet in 24 hours
• Safe for multiple treatments, but not on the same day

Insect Growth Regulators work by circulating in the pet's bloodstream after administration. When a flea bites the pet, it ingests the regulator, which affects the flea's eggs, preventing them from hatching. These treatments are given monthly through food.

Program Suspension for Cats:

• Designed to prevent and control flea infestations effectively.
• Available as an easy-to-administer suspension.
• Works by preventing the development and hatching of flea eggs.
• Breaks the flea life cycle, helping to prevent future infestations in your home.

Integrated Flea Control combines two types of insecticides to target different stages of the flea life cycle. It uses an adulticide to kill adult fleas on your pet and an insect growth regulator to prevent flea eggs from hatching. This two-pronged approach helps to break the cycle and control flea infestations effectively both on the pet and in the home.

Frontline Plus for Cat

• Kills fleas on your pet within 24 hours and prevents reinfestation for up to 8 weeks.
• Kills ticks on your pet within 48 hours and prevents reinfestation for 4 weeks.
• Effectively eliminates biting lice.
• Inhibits the development of flea eggs and larvae.
• Protects both your pet and your home.

While the options are many, each of these flea control treatments works in their unique way. Hence, it is best to tailor your approach, depending on the lifestyle of your cat. Sometimes, a combination of adulticide to kill the flea and an IGR to disrupt flea reproduction might work the best. You might also have to consider the fact that Indoor cats may be less in need of frequent flea treatments than those who venture out more frequently, but your vet can advise on specifics.

Vaccination

Vaccinations are important to keep your cat free from several serious illnesses. Starting your cat's vaccination early can help build the immunity required to resist infections that can be dangerous.

The first kitten vaccine to be administered is around eight weeks; the final dose would come at the age of twelve weeks. With the initial series of vaccinations starting at 6 to 8 weeks of age, they are administered with booster doses every 3 to 4 weeks until they attain 16 to 20 weeks of age. This helps prevent other infections, such as Feline Infectious Enteritis and Feline Influenza, which are common amongst cats, causing respiratory infections. Leukaemia FeLV causes immune disorder susceptibility, and hence, your kitten should be vaccinated as suggested by your vet. Besides, an adult cat has to be consulted with a vet to determine if booster shots or additional vaccines are necessary. Generally, they receive annual booster doses, which might not be uniform for all cats and depend on the kind of lifestyle they lead.

When planning out your cat’s vaccination schedule, always consider the local laws and regulations regarding rabies vaccination. Your vet can guide you on the same.

You can also stay on top of other preventative care measures, from dental check-ups to weight management, by seeing your vet once a year for booster shots. This visit provides an opportunity to review health changes and adjust the care of your ageing cat. Usually, there are two categories of feline vaccines - Core vaccines which are recommended for cats of all types and render them protection against calicivirus, feline distemper, rabies, and herpesvirus. The other category is non-core vaccines that protect cats against specific lifestyle disorders like Bordetella.

Neutering

Neutering is a responsible decision for any cat owner who does not intend to breed. A neutered cat has all the health and behavioural advantages, such as protection against many cancers, lack of marking territories and fighting. Besides, neutering plays a pivotal role in curbing the population of homeless cats.

Neutering usually occurs at the age of five to six months:

• Males Castration - This procedure removes the testes resulting in a reduction of testosterone, which inspires roaming and fighting.
• Females Spaying - This procedure removes both the ovaries and uterus to prevent pregnancy and heat cycles.

It is always better to consult your vet before deciding upon neutering as they monitor a lot of health parameters before giving a nod.

Neutering has various positive impacts on your cat's health. For instance, the risk of uterine infections and cancer is reduced significantly in spayed females. Males who are neutered are at a lower risk of getting injured with reduced incidences of roaming or fighting.

If you are unsure of the right time to neuter your cat, you can ask your vet who will tell you the right time depending on your cat's health and development. Usually neutering in males or spaying in females is carried out at the age of 5-6 months. Adult cats can also be neutered or spayed depending on their lifestyle or need. The only problem with neutering adult cats is that the recovery period might be longer.

Monitoring Your Kitten's Health Checkpoints

When you get a kitten, there is so much to remember. Keeping track of their healthcare checkpoints can help you provide/ the best care. Here is a summary to make it easy:

• Weeks 2, 5, 8, and 12, followed by regular treatment.
• Monthly for up to 6 months; after that, every 3 months.

• Regular spot-on or oral treatment, depending on your cat's needs and lifestyle.
• Integrated flea control at peak flea season for enhanced protection.

• 8-9 weeks: First vaccination
• 12 weeks: Second vaccination
• Annual boosters afterwards

Spay/neuter: 5-6 months of age unless your veterinarian advises otherwise. It helps you remember, particularly in the first few months when a lot of treatments and check-ups are needed. Constant care during this time will set your cat’s health foundations well.

Last Words to New Cat Parents

• Stay Alert: Animal care is constantly changing with new products and procedures surfacing. Your vet is an excellent source of new information, so don't be intimidated by new options.
• Plan for Common Expenses: Deworming, flea meds, vaccinations, and spaying/neutering are all considered simple care. Plan for these expenses, so you won't be surprised.
• Bond Through Care: Handling your kitten for treatments like worming or flea control can be an opportunity to bond. Approach these routines calmly and offer treats afterwards, so your kitten associates the experience with positive outcomes.

Proper worming and vaccinations not only prevent this illness but ensure your cat creates a healthy, comfortable life around them. Each treatment or checkup is an opportunity to bond and understand your pet more intimately. Taking care of your feline babies involves the key practices of regularly scheduled deworming, timely vaccinating, and neutering / spaying them.

Here are three tips to ensure your cat has the best time under your ownership.

• Routine vet visits are highly recommended for your pet. It is crucial to stay updated regarding their vaccination needs, kittens' worming schedule, and general care.
• Indoor cats are usually less susceptible to infections and parasitic infestations but you must adhere to their vaccination schedules.
• Early prevention is always better to improve cat health. So, try to be proactive while deciding on how to improve your cat’s health.

Keeping on top of these key milestones is not only about maintaining your cat’s health but also about laying down the foundation for a happy fulfilling life together with your fur pal.