Natural Remedies for Tapeworms in Cats

Tapeworms are worms that enter a cat's digestive system when a cat swallows a flea infected with a tapeworm larvae. When left untreated, tapeworms can cause depression, irritability, loss of appetite or other symptoms or illnesses in your cat. There are a number of ways to get rid of your cat's tapeworms, including the common over-the-counter drug Praziquantel. However, some people prefer to treat tapeworms through natural remedies.

  1. Tapeworm-fighting herbs

    • Herbs such as wormwood, ruta graveolens, cloves and neem are all known to help treat or prevent tapeworms in cats. Wormwood and ruta graveolens help cleanse the digestive system, which helps to flush out tapeworms. Cloves and neem possess properties that causes them to act as natural parasite repellents. Depending on the type of herb and degree of tapeworm infection the amount to be administered varies. Consult your veterinarian, local pet shop or natural remedy store to determine specific doses.

      These and other all-natural medications that can help prevent tapeworm, such as Parasite Dr., an herbal blend used twice a day for two to three weeks, can be found in pet specialty stores, online or at the veterinarian's office.

      Herbal remedies are not as consistent as tapeworm pharmaceuticals or other veterinary methods of getting rid of tapeworms and may take longer to get rid of the worms, cause the occasional adverse reaction or prove ineffective.

    Diatomaceous Earth

    • Diatomaceous earth is the fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of prehistoric, hard-shelled algae. For some time diatomaceous earth has been used as a non-toxic, non-chemical method of eliminating parasites in livestock. The shells of the small algae in the earth scratch the exoskeletons of parasites and dehydrate them. Certain types of diatomaceous earth have been approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for use with humans and animals. To get rid of tapeworms in your cat, give it 2 tsp. of diatomaceous earth twice a day. Be sure to continue daily dosing for 60 days or longer to eradicate worms. Diatomaceous earth can also be given as a supplement in food year-round. Before using diatomaceous earth with your pet it is a good idea to consult your veterinarian on the use of this alternative method to make sure he or she approves.

    HomeoPet Worm Clear

    • HomeoPet Worm Clear is a 100 percent natural formula made to remove and prevent round, hook and tapeworms in dogs, cats, puppies and kittens. HomeoPet Worm Clear is a liquid product administered three times daily for 14 days to get rid of worms and for longer periods if infection persists.