Whether your cat roams the neighbourhood or lounges indoors full-time, intestinal worms are a reality every owner should prepare for. This cat worming guide covers the most common worm types, the symptoms they cause, and the deworming treatments that keep your feline healthy year-round. Catching an infestation early — or preventing one altogether — starts with knowing what to look for.
Common Worm Types in Australian Cats
Understanding the different cat worm types and their symptoms is the first step toward effective treatment. In Australia, four intestinal parasites dominate.
Roundworms are the most widespread, especially in kittens. They resemble pale spaghetti strands and live in the small intestine, competing for nutrients. Heavy infestations can cause a pot-bellied appearance and stunted growth in young cats.
Tapeworms are flat, segmented parasites often transmitted by fleas. You may notice rice-grain-like segments near your cat's rear end or in their bedding. They're more common in cats that hunt or have untreated flea problems.
Hookworms latch onto the intestinal wall and feed on blood. Even a small number can cause anaemia, particularly in kittens. They thrive in warm, humid conditions — making coastal and tropical areas of Australia higher-risk zones, especially during summer.
Heartworm, while less common in cats than dogs, is transmitted by mosquitoes and affects the heart and lungs. It's harder to detect in cats and can be serious, so prevention matters. Browse our full range of flea, tick and worming products to find preventatives that cover multiple parasite types at once.
Symptoms That Signal a Worm Problem
Cats are experts at hiding illness, so worm symptoms can be subtle at first. Knowing what to look for helps you act quickly before an infestation becomes severe.
Watch for these common signs:
- Unexplained weight loss despite a normal appetite
- Dull, rough coat that lacks its usual shine
- Vomiting or diarrhoea (sometimes with visible worms)
- Scooting or excessive licking around the rear end
- A swollen or pot-bellied abdomen, especially in kittens
- Lethargy and reduced energy levels
- Pale gums, which can indicate anaemia from hookworms
Some cats carry a light worm burden with no obvious symptoms at all, which is why routine deworming treatment is so important — even for seemingly healthy cats.
How Cats Pick Up Worms
Cats can contract worms through several pathways. Hunting and eating prey such as mice, lizards, and birds is one of the most common routes, particularly for outdoor cats in suburban and rural Australia.
Kittens often inherit roundworms from their mother, either in the womb or through her milk. Flea ingestion during grooming is the primary way cats pick up tapeworms — another reason to stay on top of flea control alongside worming.
Even indoor cats aren't immune. Worm eggs can be tracked inside on shoes, and mosquitoes carrying heartworm larvae easily find their way indoors. Shared litter trays in multi-cat households also increase the risk of transmission.
Quick tip: Clean litter trays daily and dispose of waste in sealed bags. Worm eggs shed in faeces become infective after just a few days in the environment, so prompt removal is one of the simplest ways to reduce reinfection.
Deworming Treatment Options
Modern cat deworming treatments come in several formats, making it easy to find one that suits your cat's temperament. The goal is the same across all formats: eliminate existing worms and prevent new infestations from taking hold.
Tablets and chewables are a traditional choice. Many cats accept them crushed into wet food. Flavoured chewable options have made this method more palatable than ever.
Spot-on solutions are applied to the skin at the back of the neck. They're ideal for cats that refuse oral treatments, and many formulas combine flea, tick, and worm protection in a single dose.
Pastes and syrups work well for kittens that are too young for tablets. They can be syringed directly into the mouth or mixed with food.
Whichever format you choose, always select a product appropriate for your cat's weight and age. Visit our cat health collection to compare treatments and find the right fit.
For best results, treat all cats in the household at the same time. This prevents one treated cat from being immediately reinfected by an untreated housemate.
Building a Prevention Schedule
Consistency is the key to effective worming. A regular schedule removes the guesswork and keeps your cat protected through every season.
Kittens: Worm every two weeks from two weeks of age until twelve weeks old, then monthly until six months of age.
Adult cats: Worm every three months as a general rule. Cats that hunt, live in multi-pet households, or spend a lot of time outdoors may benefit from more frequent treatment.
In warmer regions of Australia — such as Queensland, the Northern Territory, and northern New South Wales — parasite pressure tends to be higher year-round due to the humid climate. Cooler southern states may see seasonal peaks in spring and summer when mosquito and flea activity increases.
Setting a phone reminder or syncing treatments with the change of each season is an easy way to stay on track. Some owners find it helpful to align worming with their flea and tick schedule so everything is covered at once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can indoor cats get worms?
Yes. Indoor cats can contract worms through ingesting fleas during grooming, from worm eggs tracked inside on shoes, or via mosquito bites in the case of heartworm. Routine deworming is recommended even for cats that never go outside.
How quickly do deworming treatments work?
Most oral and spot-on treatments begin working within 24 hours, with dead or dying worms passed in faeces over the following days. You may notice worms in your cat's stool after treatment — this is normal and shows the product is doing its job.
Can I worm my cat and treat for fleas at the same time?
In most cases, yes. Many combination products are specifically designed to tackle both fleas and intestinal worms in a single application. Always check that the products you're using are compatible and suited to your cat's weight and age.
Protecting your cat from worms doesn't have to be complicated. If you're ever unsure which product or schedule is right for your cat, have a quick chat with your vet. Then head over to our flea, tick and worming range to stock up on everything you need to keep your feline parasite-free.