Deworming in Pets: Importance, Benefits, and Process

Deworming is an essential treatment that most pets should undergo, especially cats and dogs. This vet treatment involves medications that remove parasites in pets.

Some pet owners administer the medications themselves, but this must be done under an experienced veterinarian's supervision. If you’re in a city like Dubai, where vet care is easily accessible, then you’re in luck.

But before going through this process, let’s discuss the importance and process of pet deworming.

Why Is Deworming Necessary for Pets?

Your pet may look perfectly fine on the outside. However, internal parasites might already be causing damage and illness to your companion day by day.

Pets can acquire a variety of parasites, including roundworms, tapeworms, and hookworms. These worms can cause serious pet illnesses like anaemia, malnutrition, and death.

You’re also putting other animals and yourself at risk since these worms can be transmitted through infected animals’ faeces.

Dog and cat deworming can lead to these benefits:

• Protecting your pet’s health by preventing severe diseases
• Preventing transmitting the parasite to humans and other animals
• Enabling young pets to grow strong and healthy

Common Parasites Found in Cats and Dogs

Roundworms and Hookworms

Roundworms are common parasites in cats and dogs. These worms are often transmitted from a mother pet to the offspring before birth or through nursing.

Hookworms are also common in pet dogs and cats. These parasites can be transmitted when an animal ingests hookworm eggs from contaminated soil or through direct skin contact.

Both roundworms and hookworms cause gastrointestinal problems, anaemia, and other health issues in pets.

Tapeworms and Fleas

Tapeworms appear as flat parasites that can grow very long, causing weight loss, vomiting, and discomfort in pets.

These worms can be contracted when a pet ingests fleas, the carriers of tapeworms. When a pet has fleas, it tends to scratch and bite their bodies, which is how tapeworms usually get into the intestines.

Because of this, an experienced vet in Dubai recommends regular flea control and deworming, which can prevent tapeworm infestation in your pets.

How Deworming Works

Pet deworming involves medication called anthelmintics. These meds are formulated to target and kill specific parasites like tapeworms, hookworms, and roundworms.

Deworming medications come in different forms, such as liquids and tablets, which are the most commonly used. Depending on the type of parasite, the vet will prescribe or administer the right meds to treat your pet.

Deworming Schedules

For cats and dogs, deworming begins a few weeks after they are born because they have parasites passed on from their mothers.

Puppies must be dewormed when they turn 2 weeks old. For kittens, they should be dewormed at 6 weeks of age. Then, the deworming continues every 2 weeks until the kittens and puppies turn 3 months old.

Once the kittens and puppies become 3 months of age, the deworming schedule becomes a monthly treatment until they reach 6 months old. Finally, the treatments will be every 3 months, which should be done for their lifetime.

The frequency will depend on your pet’s exposure risks. For example, if your dog loves playing outdoors, deworming might need to be more frequent, and the dose needs to be stronger.

If you live in a city like Dubai and your pet’s outdoor activities are closely monitored, you might only stick to the 3-month deworming frequency since the risks are lower.

While over-the-counter dewormer for dogs and cats is easily available, it’s still best to consult a vet first, especially when deworming puppies at home since they have more parasites than kittens.

Key Takeaways

Deworming pets is an essential part of responsible pet ownership. This treatment ensures that your pet lives a quality, parasite-free life.

Always consult your vet before administering any deworming medication to your pet, especially if it’s a puppy or kitten. There might be side effects that you need to watch out for, so always have open communication with your vet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will deworming cause diarrhoea in dogs?

Diarrhea isn’t a common side effect of deworming. However, some dogs might experience an upset stomach due to the worms getting expelled by their bodies. If severe diarrhoea persists, call your vet immediately.

How long does deworming take?

The effects of deworming might last for 1-2 weeks, depending on your pet’s unique health conditions, medications used, and risk factors.

Do cats need deworming every year?

Depending on your cat’s lifestyle, the deworming frequency may vary. But the general rule is that cats be dewormed every three months. Consult your vet for expert advice.

Are deworming tablets for cats safe?

Yes, deworming tablets are usually safe for cats, especially when used as instructed by the vet. But it’s not recommended to use cat dewormers without consulting a vet first.