Deworming Schedule for Puppies, Kittens, Dogs and Cats

Almost every puppy and kitten is born with worms or picks them up in the first weeks. Regular deworming keeps them growing well, helps vaccines work, and protects the children in your home.

Why deworming matters

Roundworms can pass from mother to puppy before birth and to kittens through milk. Hookworms, tapeworms and whipworms are picked up from soil, grass, fleas and other animals' faeces. Heavy worm loads cause a pot belly, diarrhoea, poor growth, anaemia and a dull coat, and a puppy full of worms may not respond well to its vaccines.

Some dog and cat worms can also infect people, especially young children who play on the floor or in the garden. Regular deworming is part of keeping your whole family healthy.

Puppies and kittens

Young animals need deworming often because they keep picking worms up while their immunity develops. A common schedule is:

• Puppies: at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks of age
• Kittens: at 3, 5, 7 and 9 weeks of age
• Then once a month until 6 months of age
• Your vet will choose a dewormer and dose by weight, so weigh your pet at each visit

Adult dogs and cats

Most vets recommend deworming adult pets every three months. Your vet may advise more often if your dog eats things outdoors, hunts, lives with small children, or lives in an area with a lot of stray animals, and less often for a cat that never goes outside.

Pregnant and nursing mothers need a deworming plan from the vet, because some medicines are not safe during pregnancy.

Signs your pet may have worms

Many pets with worms show no signs at all, which is why deworming is done on a schedule and not only when you see worms.

• Worms or rice-like segments in the stool or around the bottom
• Diarrhoea, vomiting or a swollen belly
• Scooting (dragging the bottom on the floor)
• Weight loss while eating well, or poor growth in a puppy or kitten
• Pale gums, tiredness or a dull coat

Fleas and tapeworms go together

Pets get the common tapeworm by swallowing fleas while grooming. If your pet keeps getting tapeworm, treat for fleas at the same time, or the worms will keep coming back.

Keep a deworming record

Write the date and the medicine on your pet's card each time, and set a reminder for the next one. Ask your clinic to add deworming to your pet's record so their reminders cover it along with vaccinations.