Your Guide to Worming, Flea and Tick Treatments for Cats

This article is written by Pet Circle's qualified veterinarian, Dr. Carla Paszkowski BVSc (Hons) and was last updated by Dr. Jacqui Victor BVSc MANZCVS (Medicine of Cats)

With an ever-growing number of parasite prevention products for pets released each year, it's not surprising that Australian cat parents are left feeling a little confused.

What parasites are actually relevant in Australia? What parasite prevention does an indoor cat need? Which prevention is actually the most effective, and most importantly - which is the safest?

We've put together a helpful guide to parasites and prevention products, so that you can be sure you're selecting the right product for your kitty cat!

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1. Parasites of Concern in Australia: Know your enemies!

1. Fleas

These hyperactive bloodsuckers reside on your cat's skin, breeding and biting every chance they get. Infestations are a common cause of flea dermatitis in cats and symptoms include intense itching, sores, crusting and hair loss.

Cat products that kill fleas: Advantage, Advocate, Revolution, Revolution Plus, Nexgard Spectra, Seresto, Bravecto Plus and Bravecto.

2. Ticks

Another bloodsucker found on the skin and coat. The paralysis tick (Ixodes Holocyclus) is the most dangerous and without a veterinary administered Tick Antiserum, may cause full body paralysis, pneumonia, pulmonary oedema, heart failure and eventually death. Ticks are mostly found along the Eastern coastline in Australia, however we recommend checking with your local vet clinic to find out whether ticks pose a risk in your area. For cats who spend time outdoors, we recommend the use of isoxazoline-based products such as those below.

Cat products that kill ticks: Nexgard Spectra, Bravecto, Bravecto Plus and Revolution Plus.

3. Heartworm

These parasitic worms are carried by infected mosquitoes and are injected as larvae which travel to the heart and lungs.

Though less common in cats than dogs, there is no direct treatment for heartworm in cats so prevention is imperative. Monthly prevention is available in tablet or topical form.

Cat products that prevent heartworm: Milbemax, Advocate, Nexgard Spectra, Bravecto Plus, Revolution Plus and Revolution.

4. Intestinal worms

Hookworm, roundworm and tapeworm are the most common intestinal worms for cats. Tapeworm is more common in cats than dogs and often arises when infected fleas are eaten. However it can also be contracted from consumption of raw meat or hunted prey that contain the parasite.

Wormers for cats are available in both tablet form or topical.

Symptoms of intestinal worms in cats may include diarrhoea, worm segments in the stools or around the anus, weight loss, distended stomach, vomiting, weakness, or anaemia.

Cat products that kill worms: Milbemax, Drontal, Nexgard Spectra, Advocate, Revolution, Bravecto Plus and Profender.

2. Topicals vs Oral Treatments

What is better - topical or oral treatments?

Topical treatments

If you have fussy, grumpy cats that spit out their medication and turn away from wet foods then topical may be the way to go. Applied to the skin on the back of the neck, these treatments either form crystal matrixes along the coat, disperse through the top lipid layer or are absorbed into the bloodstream for full body cover.

Topical treatments may be easier to apply, particularly if your cat does not take too kindly to tablets.

Your cat must be completely dry before applying a topical treatment and must usually avoid getting wet for up to 48 hours after application. Fortunately, most kitties despise water anyway! But keep an eye on the weather forecast in case they get stuck out in the rain.

Oral treatments

Oral treatments will not be affected if your cat becomes wet before or after treatment. However, there are limited options available for oral treatments which control fleas, and no all-in-one oral options.

However, an monthly oral treatment for heartworm and intestinal worms such as Milbemax may be a safer option if you have small children in your household, and you can combine it with a topical flea and tick treatment which is applied less frequently, such as Bravecto (applied once every 3 months). Topical treatments should not be ingested or come into contact with your eyes or nose, so if you are concernced that your little ones might lick your kitty's fur or touch their eyes and nose immediately after cuddles, an oral treatment may be the way to go.

Oral treatments may also be preferable if you have a water loving kitty or are concerned that your kitty's coat will get wet, washing off any topical treatments.

Need guidance? See our video below for tips on how to give your cat a pill:

How To Give Your Cat a Pill. For more helpful vet tip videos, take a look at our Youtube Channel.

3. Options for Indoor Cats

Indoor-only cats are unlikely to be exposed ticks and some intestinal worms. However, it's still possible for your indoor cat to be exposed to fleas if you have dogs or neighbouring wildlife. It's also possible that exposure to worm eggs can occur from dirt on your shoes or clothes. Heartworm is a risk for every indoor cat because it is transmitted via mosquitoes, which can easily access your home.

Therefore, we typically recommend one of the following products for indoor cats: