Flea & Worm Treatments for Cats

Properly caring for your cat is vital to his long term health. Food and water are the two main things cats need, but felines also need routine treatments because they suffer with fleas and worms throughout the year. The Pet Meds website says there are eight main types of intestinal worms that affect cats. They recommend giving your cat worm medication every three months. In addition, they also say to administer flea spot treatment on the back your cat's neck every time you give him worm medication.

  1. Advantage

    • Advantage flea control is a topical medication for cats. This product is applied to the collar line and fleas are immobilized on contact. This immediately stops them from biting your feline. After one to 12 hours the medicine takes the full effect and kills adult fleas. However, flea eggs are killed within 20 minutes. You can begin giving your cat these treatments after 8 weeks of age.

      Imidacloprid, is the main ingredient that makes this product so effective by disabling the fleas nervous system. Some pets may be sensitive to this product. Most flea medicines have the same active ingredients. Other brands to consider are Bio Spot, Front Line and Program.

    Advantage Multi Worm Treatment for Cats

    • Advantage Multi Worm Treatment is a treatment that kills round worms and tape worms. Many worm medications treat a spectrum of worms beyond these two types. If you suspect that your cat has both, get the more intense brand. Common ingredients found in these medicines are febantel, pyrantel pamoate and piperazine. You can also try other brands such as Erliworm and Homeo Pet.

      However, standard worm medications may not be enough to fully protect you cat from heart worm species. Choose a heart worm medication in addition to regular worm treatments. Heartgard is a heart worm medicine for cats. This treatment specifically targets heart worms. Heartgard is a chewable beef flavored tablet.

    Considerations and Warnings

    • There are a few things to consider before giving your feline worm and flea medications. Keep these treatments away from children and read the directions carefully. Labels usually advise you to administer dose amounts based on your cat's weight. If your animals gets too much worm medication she could get very sick and end up throwing up most of the treatment. Some medicines can be added to food to make the experience more pleasant because cats generally do not like to be held down. If your cat develops a rash or any other strange symptoms after putting flea medicine on her neck, call your vet.