Most domesticated cat breeds have a lifespan of 12-18 years. A number of factors tend to determine the life expectancy of a cat. Such factors include its genetic makeup, nutrition, exercise, and also health conditions it is predisposed to.
One of the health conditions known to significantly affect a domesticated cat’s longevity is worm infestation. Luckily effective deworming medications are available.
In this article, I will provide you with factual answers to the most asked cat’s deworming questions, which are: How long will a cat have diarrhea after deworming? After how long should I deworm my cat?
We will also answer the following questions: How do cats get infected with worms? What are the telltale symptoms that your cat has worms? What’s the importance of deworming your cat? And what are the side effects associated with deworming your cat?
How Long Will A Cat Have Diarrhea After Deworming?
Your cat may have diarrhea for 2-3 days after deworming. This is quite a normal occurrence that tends to occur in a number of cats after being dewormed. Diarrhea may be bloody, mucoid, or contain both dead and live worms.
Typically, this type of diarrhea is usually mild and doesn’t cause any adverse health impacts on your cat. During the diarrheal episodes, it’s essential that you provide your cat with enough freshwater and a bland diet that requires minimal digestion effort.
If your cat’s diarrheal episode doesn’t stop within 2-3 days, please take it to a vet for a more enhanced therapeutic management.
After How Long Should I Deworm My Cat?
Adult cats, especially those that spend most of their time outdoors playing, hunting, or interacting with other animals/pets, should be dewormed 1-3 times after every 3 months.
Kittens aged 3 weeks should be dewormed at least after every 2 weeks until they turn 2 months old. At 2-6 months of age, cats should be dewormed monthly.
Why is Deworming Your Cat Necessary?
It’s essential that you strictly adhere to your cat’s deworming schedule as;
- It prevents the development/establishment of worm related illnesses such as heart diseases and anemia
- Protects you and those around you (your other pets and loved ones) from getting infected with the worms
- It helps enhance your cat’s longevity and life quality
- It ensures that your kittens’ developmental stages and cognitive abilities are not in any way delayed or impacted negatively
- This also confirms that your cat’s immunity system is not compromised; thus, your cat’s ability to protect itself against infections remains at par
How Do Cats Get Infected With Worms?
Cats, just like any other animals, are susceptible to worm infestation. Below are a number of ways through which cats get infected with worms;
- Drinking or eating contaminated milk, water, or food
- Physically coming into contact with an infected cat/dog
- Eating, licking, sniffing, or rolling in feces or soils containing the infective agents of worms
- A pregnant cat may transmit worms to its unborn kitten
What Are The Telltale Signs That Your Cat Needs Deworming?
Below are some of the telltale signs that your furry lifetime companion may be in need of an oral or an injection deworming medication;
- Patchy skin, coarse, dull, or unhealthy coat
- A bloated or a distended stomach
- Recurrent episodes of vomiting
- Unexplained weight loss
- Decreased activity level or lethargy
- Diarrhea which may or may not is mucoid and blood stained
- Noticing worms around your cat’s back passage region- for instance, freshly shed tapeworms tend to resemble rice grains
- Difficulty in breathing, coughing, and asthma-like symptoms-most common symptoms in cats who have an infestation of heartworm
How Long Does It Take For My Cat to Be Fully Dewormed?
On average, it may take your cat 2-3 weeks to be fully dewormed. Several factors determine if your cat will surpass or be in the range of the above specified period.
These factors include;
The type of worm it has-for instance, a cat infected with roundworms, may take more time to be fully dewormed
The quantity or number of worms it has- a cat with a heavy infestation of worms may need at least 2 rounds of deworming
What Are The Side Effects of Deworming A Cat?
Rarely will your cat will experience side effects caused by it being dewormed. The side effects typically appear after or within 24 hours.
However rare these side effects are, some cats may exhibit apart from diarrhea the following side effects;
1. Vomiting
Some cats may react to the deworming medications, which may cause them to vomit. In case your cat vomits within one hour after being dewormed, please take it back to your vet for further management.
Note excessive vomiting in a cat may cause it to become dehydrated.
Also, it’s possible that your cat’s deworming meds may not have been effective if it vomits within one hour, so there might be a need to deworm it again.
2. Loss of Appetite
Anxiety combined with the physiological changes taking place in your cat’s gastrointestinal tract is some of the causes that may cause it to lose appetite. This side effect resolves on its own within 3-4 days.
During this period, you can help improve your cat’s appetite by giving it appetite stimulant medications (which should be prescribed by a certified vet) or feeding it with fresh and clean catnips.
Catnips are natural appetite stimulants for cats.
3. Increased/excessive salivation
Anxiety, the sour taste of the drug, and not fully swallowing the deworming medications can cause your cat to produce excess saliva. This side effect may last for 2-3 days.
Conclusion
Cats, just like any other animal, are susceptible to worm infestation. Most often, cats who have worms may not show any signs or symptoms of worm infestation such as weight loss, diarrhea, vomiting, patchy skin, coarse or dull and unhealthy coat, unexplained weight loss, and reduced level of activity.
This makes it vital that you strictly adhere to your cat deworming schedule, which is; 1-3 times deworming after every 3 months in an adult cat, and every 2 weeks administration of dewormers in cats aged 3-8 weeks and deworming cats aged 2-6 months every once a month.
After deworming, your cat may experience diarrheal episodes, which should resolve on their own within 2-3 days. Other side effects of deworming your cat may include vomiting, loss of appetite, and increased saliva production.
For a healthy and happy cat, it’s crucial that you always adopt your cat from a reputable breeder who strictly follows a deworming cat schedule.