Essential Guide to Cat Deworming for New Pet Owners

When it comes to the first deworming for your furry friend, most deworming medications require the pet to be at least eight weeks old and weigh over 0.5 kilograms before they can be administered.

Deworming can be categorized into two types: internal and external. For external parasites, it's generally recommended to deworm monthly. For internal parasites, during spring and summer, deworming should be done every two months, while in autumn and winter, it's advisable to deworm every three months.

Let's delve into external deworming medications first. These are typically in the form of drops and include popular brands like Frontline, Advocate, Revolution, Bravecto, Nitenpyram (oral), and Noprost (oral). These external dewormers are designed to target external parasites such as fleas, lice, ticks, ear mites, mange mites, and demodex mites. (Revolution, by the way, is safe to use during breeding, lactation, and pregnancy.)

Internal deworming medications usually come in the form of oral tablets, with common brands including Canine Heartgard, Heartgard Plus, and Revolution. These are primarily effective against internal parasites like roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, whipworms, and heartworms.

There are also specific deworming medications for certain types of parasites, such as coccidia, which requires the use of Baycox, and trichomoniasis, which may require the use of metronidazole, among others.

It's advisable to deworm both internally and externally, as some external parasites can act as vectors for internal parasites. Fleas, for instance, can transmit tapeworms, and ticks can carry Babesia. Therefore, a combined approach is often the best choice.

When selecting deworming medication, consider your pet's environment. If you live in an urban apartment with minimal soil contact, Frontline/Advocate combined with Heartgard Plus/Canine Heartgard should suffice. However, if you're in a rural area where your pet has more contact with soil, you might opt for Frontline/Bravecto combined with Heartgard Plus/Canine Heartgard.

Bravecto, being a French import known for its high safety standards (suitable for cats over 7 weeks old), offers peace of mind for pet owners. Its syringe design is also more convenient than squeeze bottles, eliminating the risk of incomplete application. The packaging and effectiveness are topnotch, with no noticeable flaws. If you spot fleas on your pet, Bravecto is a reliable choice. Go for it! Go for it! Go for it!

Deworming medications are, after all, a form of medication. Whether you deworm at home or take your pet to a professional, always purchase dewormers from a reputable source and strictly follow the dosage instructions. Let's not let our negligence cause any distress to our beloved pets!

It's commendable that pet owners are becoming more aware of deworming, as many still underestimate its importance compared to vaccinations. Remember, deworming not only treats parasitic diseases but also plays a crucial role in prevention.