How Often Should You Deworm Your Cat?

Quick Answer

Indoor cats should be dewormed at least every 6 months. Outdoor cats or cats that hunt need deworming every 3 months. Kittens should be dewormed every 2 weeks from age 3 weeks until 8 weeks, then monthly until 6 months.

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Cats are expert hiders — they mask illness so well that by the time you notice worm symptoms, the problem is already serious. And indoor cats aren't safe either: worm eggs can hitch a ride on your shoes, on other pets, or on the occasional fly your cat catches.

Detailed Breakdown

The deworming schedule for cats depends on age, indoor/outdoor lifestyle, and exposure risks.

By Age

Kittens (3 weeks to 6 months) Kittens can get worms through their mother's milk. Start deworming at 3 weeks old, repeat every 2 weeks until 8 weeks, then monthly until 6 months old.

Adult cats — indoor only (6 months+) Deworm every 6 months (twice a year). Even indoor cats can be exposed through insects, raw food, or contaminated shoes.

Adult cats — outdoor or hunting (6 months+) Deworm every 3 months (4 times a year). Hunting and eating prey dramatically increases worm exposure.

By Risk Level

More frequent deworming may be needed for:

Cats that hunt birds or rodents — every 1-3 months
Multi-cat households — every 3 months (worms spread through shared litter boxes)
Cats with flea problems — every 3 months (fleas carry tapeworm)
Cats living with young children or immunocompromised people — every 3 months

Common Worm Types in Cats

Worm Type	How Cats Get It	Symptoms
Roundworms	Mother's milk, contaminated soil	Pot belly, vomiting
Tapeworms	Swallowing fleas, eating prey	Rice-like segments in fur
Hookworms	Skin contact, contaminated environment	Weight loss, diarrhea
Lungworms	Eating slugs, snails, or prey	Coughing, wheezing

Signs Your Cat May Have Worms

Weight loss despite eating normally
Vomiting (sometimes with visible worms)
Diarrhea or constipation
Visible segments around the tail or in bedding
Scooting across the floor
Dull, rough coat
Swollen belly (especially in kittens)

Pro Tips

Spot-on treatments work well for cats that refuse tablets — ask your vet about liquid options
Treat all cats in the household at the same time, even if only one shows symptoms
Indoor cats still need deworming — don't skip it just because they don't go outside
Track the dates — quarterly or biannual schedules are easy to forget without a reminder

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