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Almost all cat owners have experienced cat worms at one point or another. It’s important to know that there are a number of natural options that can treat and prevent these bothersome parasites in your cat because many people are worried about the side effects of conventional worming treatments.

The best method to treat and prevent worms in your cat should always be determined in consultation with your veterinarian because every cat and situation is unique.

Cat health needs to be a top priority when it comes to cat care, and these internal parasites can be difficult. However, we’ve prepared some of the best 6 home remedies for worms in cats because pet health is something that we always say that anyone should pay the most attention to.

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6 Home Remedies For Worms In Cats

We found 6 natural dewormers you can try at home: pumpkin seeds, chamomile, turmeric, Apple Cider vinegar, Coconut, and carrots.

Let’s see each and one of them in detail:

1. Pumpkin Seeds

Roasted Salty Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds are a great deworming agent due to the amino acid cucurbitacin. The worms are made immobile so that they can be quickly taken out of the intestine. You can give them to your cat whole as a treat or grind them into a fine powder and add it to the food.

To use pumpkin seeds as a natural dewormer for your cat, you should feed them one teaspoon of raw pumpkin seeds for every 10 pounds of body weight twice daily. Pumpkin seeds are generally well-liked by animals, and consuming them regularly can help to paralyze and remove worms from the digestive system.

Once they are let out, these unwanted visitors will be gone once and for all. Your cat should consume the seeds as you normally would since they will contain many parasites because they lay eggs that will develop into parasites. We want to continue eliminating those awful parasites and prevent re-infestation.

Pumpkin seed amino acid cucurbitacin paralyzes leeching worms, causing them to release their hold on the intestinal walls of you or your pet.

After they release their hold, they can be simply pooped out without further help from you. You can chew the seeds. Add them to a salad, sprinkle them on other foods, or grind them up for your cat’s diet.

2. Chamomile

Cup of chamomile tea

Roundworms and whipworms can be prevented and treated using chamomile. For digestive issues, chamomile tea is frequently given to pets and is said to relax the entire digestive system.

In Europe, it is given to infants in bottles to help with colic and to help them learn how to nurse. However, chamomile possesses anti-parasitic properties, just like many other herbs.

It has been demonstrated that chamomile is effective in the treatment of whipworms and roundworms. The best way to administer it to your cat is as a tincture; see your veterinarian to determine the ideal dosage.

Making it just requires 1 tsp of tea, which is simple, and experts advise combining at least 1/4 cup of water with 1/4 tsp of herb. Add 1/4 cup of water to a pot or other suitable container and heat it over a stove or other heat source until it reaches boiling point.

Take the pan off the stove. Add a quarter teaspoon of the herb, cover it, and wait for two minutes. Finally, stretch it. Your cat should receive this from you.

One teaspoon is advised by Dr. Andrew Jones for every 10 pounds of body weight. Newborn kittens as tiny as infants can safely get a third of a teaspoon of brewed tea in their formula twice daily.

3. Turmeric

Turmeric powder and fresh turmeric on wooden table

A tasty spice with a long history and numerous health advantages is turmeric. Curcumin, a compound found in the roots and bulbs of a particular plant, has been used in traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for thousands of years due to its many medicinal properties. It is a miraculous spice. 

The primary ingredient present in the plant’s roots and bulbs is curcumin. These include anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fungal, anti-coagulant, antiseptic, healing, and anti-cancer effects, making it a powerful tool in the treatment of a variety of illnesses.

But when it comes to our pets, they can experience the same illnesses as us. Therefore, when it comes to our most cherished canine friends, turmeric is an excellent natural herb that can help improve your cats’ overall health and vitality.

Turmeric, a superfood known for its anti-inflammatory properties, can help to improve the health of a cat’s digestive system. Additionally, it has elements that can help with worm elimination and the repair of intestinal damage.

Turmeric is unquestionably safe for cats and has therapeutic advantages, and because of that, it is a common remedy for cat illnesses. Their immune system’s performance is enhanced, which helps in the struggle against many diseases. 

4. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has been noted for its potential health benefits and is believed by some to be effective in treating worm infestations in cats.

It functions because, in contrast to other vinegar, it increases the cat’s intestines’ alkaline levels, which deters parasites and worms from thriving.

If you add 1/4 to 1 teaspoon of raw organic apple cider vinegar to your cat’s water each day, you might notice an improvement in the condition of its coat in addition to several other health benefits.

5. Coconut

Coconut oil on table

As a vermifuge, dried coconut can assist you in getting rid of worms in your cat. Coconut oil can help to get rid of parasites in cats and has many other health benefits. 

To use it as a dewormer, sprinkle the appropriate amount (1 tsp for small cats, 2 tsp for medium cats, and 1 tbsp for large breeds) onto your cat’s food daily. 

The lauric acid in coconut oil is converted by the body into monolaurin, which has been found to be effective against tapeworms, giardia, and other parasites. 

The amount of coconut oil you should give your cat daily should be based on their weight, with an increase of about 1 tsp for every 10 pounds.

See Also: 3 Tips On How To Get Rid Of Giardia In Cats Naturally

6. Carrots

Woman holding wooden crate of fresh ripe carrots

These well-known orange vegetables are rich in vitamin A and, it’s true, are also one of the home remedies for worms in cats.

Carrots that have been roughly chopped scratch the stomach and intestinal walls as they are digested, getting rid of any parasites and mucus that may be present. Your cats can enjoy carrots as a tasty treat or as part of their cat food meals because they are a great source of nutrients for them.

They are a great source of vitamins and minerals, strengthen the immune system, and are completely safe. Carrots will hugely help get rid of worms in our dear feline friends.

How Can I Deworm My Cat?

It is known that you can deworm your cat by yourself; however, since every case of worming is unique, it’s always best to consult your veterinarian first.

The most popular method for naturally deworming cats at home involves the use of coconut oil, turmeric, and essential oils.

See Also: How Long After Deworming A Cat Are The Worms Gone?

Can Coconut Oil Get Rid Of Worms In Cats?

Coconut oil on table on light background

Since coconut oil can change lauric acid into monolaurin, it can be used to deworm cats. One potential all-natural deworming method for cats is coconut oil.

Given that it’s a natural remedy and that your cat might find it more enjoyable to eat than a pill, this has some appealing advantages.

Owners may find it simpler to encourage their cats to eat coconut oil rather than medication as a result. Due to its numerous health advantages, particularly its built-in antibacterial properties, coconut oil is becoming more and more well-liked among cats and dogs.

Because of this, coconut oil is recognized for having anti-parasitic properties that help cats by killing worms and their larvae. Coconut oil is not advised for cats with certain medical conditions because some cats may be allergic to it.

Additionally, consuming excessive amounts of coconut oil can cause diarrhea. To determine whether the coconut oil has successfully treated your cat’s worm issue, you must have the veterinarian professionally examine your cat’s stool.

Treat cat worms with coconut oil only if you’ve already discussed it with your veterinarian. It might not be adequate or suitable for your cat’s condition.

How To Use Coconut Oil As A Dewormer? 

You can either rub it directly onto the infected worms or swallow a tablespoon of pure coconut oil. The antibacterial and antiviral properties of coconut are said to help treat feline worm infestations.

A two-step process is necessary for this treatment. Give your cat a spoonful of pure coconut oil every morning, either directly or as part of its food. At night, apply a small amount of coconut oil to the affected area.

See Also: Can Cats Drink Coconut Water, Or Is It Dangerous For Them?

Garlic As Treatment For Treatment Of Tapeworms In Cats 

white garlic on a special board

Garlic cannot be used to treat feline tapeworms because no study has demonstrated that it can. Garlic has been shown to potentially inhibit the production of eggs and larvae in certain types of intestinal worms. Tapeworms, which are long, flat worms with many segments, require an intermediary host to complete their life cycle. 

The mature segments of tapeworms, which contain eggs, are expelled in feces and can be found in a cat’s feces, on their bedding, or in the hair around their anus.

Every type of tapeworm needs an intermediary host to complete its life cycle. In order for the cat to become infected, the intermediate host must first consume the eggs from the environment.

Different animals act as intermediate hosts for various types of tapeworms. In cats all over the world, Dipylidium caninum and Taenia taeniaeformis are the most typical tapeworms to be discovered.

Compounds called disulfides, and thiosulphates found in garlic can weaken and destroy red blood cells in a cat’s body, leading to a condition called hemolytic anemia,  which can be fatal. It is important to be aware of this risk when giving garlic to cats.

Essential Oils For Deworming Cats

Cats can be dewormed using essential oils because they will protect your cat from any external parasites and act as a repellent, preventing further infections.

A quick solution is to combine a small amount with a cat shampoo that is suitable for the skin type of your cat.

As an alternative, you could give your cat their regular bath before putting the essential oil right on their skin. It should only take about five drops and be careful not to apply it to any open wounds or skin damage.

To use tea tree oil as a treatment for a skin condition in a cat, mix 20 drops of the essential oil with 100 ml of basic vegetable oil such as sweet almond, rosehip, or argan oil. Apply a small amount of this mixture to the affected area of your cat’s skin.

What Is The Best Home Remedy For Worms In Cats?

cat with stripes laying on the floor

Turmeric can help improve your cat’s overall health and vitality while also proving to be very effective in treating worms in cats. The anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric make it a superfood and treat worms greatly.

Additionally, it has elements that can help with worm removal and intestinal damage repair. This will improve the health of your cat’s digestive system! A perennial herbaceous plant, turmeric is unquestionably safe for cats and has therapeutic advantages.

The common remedy for illnesses in cats is turmeric. Their immune system’s performance is enhanced, which helps in the struggle against many diseases.

How Do Cats Get Worms?

Cats typically get worms from interacting with infected feces or parasite eggs. Cats are known for their grooming habits and may accidentally ingest worms or their eggs as they clean themselves, as they may come into contact with infected feces or areas where eggs are present while grooming.

Indoor cats can also be infected with worms if they share the same litter box that has infected feces. Because worms can live in the muscles of their prey, cats that hunt small rodents frequently and live outdoors are also more likely to get worms.

When a cat consumes a rodent that has worm larvae present, the larvae can grow to adulthood in the cat’s intestines and cause a worm infestation.

Types of Worms In Cats

Roundworms from a cat

The most common types of worms that cats can have problems with are whipworms, tapeworms, hookworms, and roundworms. But, there are also some worms that are not so common but can cause severe health issues and life-threatening problems, like stomach worms, liver flukes, heartworms, bladder worms, and lungworms.

Symptoms For Specific Types of Worms In Cats

These specific symptoms will help cat owners determine the type of worm based on their cat’s symptoms.

Whipworms

Anemia

• Large bowel diarrhea (with blood)

• Dehydration

Weight loss

Tapeworms

When a cat has tapeworms, you may not notice any symptoms, but you can obviously see specks that look like white grains of rice in these parts:

• On the feces or in the feces inside the litter box

• Around and on the anuts

• Attached to the fur under the tail and around the anal area

Hookworms

Weight loss

• Lack of appetite

• Diarrhea with blood

• Coughing

• Skin lesions

• Pale lips and gums

• Dark and tarry stool

Roundworms

• Diarrhea

Weight loss

• Intestinal obstructions

• Vomiting

• Coughing

• Enlarged abdomen

Hookworms

Weight loss

• Diarrhea

• Poor appetite

• Pale gums and lips

RELATED: Cat Poop Color Chart – What Does Each Color Indicate?

Liver Flakes

• Swollen belly

• Swelling of the liver

Heartworm

• Difficulty breathing

• Lethargy

• Seizures

• Vomiting

• Coughing

• Lack of appetite

• Sudden collapse

• Sudden death

Bladder Worm

• Blood in the urine

• Pain while urinating

• Straining

RELATED: Cat Urine Color Chart: Everything You Need To Know And More

Lungworm

• Pneumonia as the infestation worsens and symptoms progress

• Difficulty breathing

• Coughing

Wrapping It Up

Cat sniffs half coconut

Pet parents can effectively handle the situation with the aid of home remedies for worms in cats. Pet owners must be aware that tapeworm infections are possible and that they must regularly administer worm treatments.

If you stick with your cat’s good hygiene habits and all parasite prevention and dewormings, these troublesome parasites will be avoided along with transmission to adults and kids. 

For indoor cats, daily litter box cleaning, regular litter replacement, and regular litter box scrubbing are essential for reducing exposure to contaminated feces.

For outdoor cats, regularly removing waste from the lawn, sandbox, and flowerbeds will reduce the chance of the parasite’s life cycle spreading.

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