How Much Does It Cost to Deworm a Cat?

Although, the thought of our cats carrying around a belly full of worms is very unappealing, worms in cats are not uncommon. Left untreated, various types of intestinal parasites can cause other health issues for your feline buddy.

Read on to discover the basics of intestinal worms in cats and to find out how much does it cost to deworm a cat.

Intestinal Worms in Cats

There are three types of common intestinal worms that cans can be infected with; roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms.

Roundworms

These are the most common type of intestinal parasite of the feline species. The roundworm can affect cats of all ages and can be passed into the kitten’s system via an infected mother’s milk.

Roundworms can also be picked up through the feces of an infected animal (such as the ingestion of a rodent) or the eggs can be picked up directly from the environment.

Adult round worms look like long thin, white strands of spaghetti and can be seen in the stool of the infected cat. However, the cat would have to be severely infected before you would see the presence of the roundworms in the feces.

To determine if you cat has roundworms, bring a fecal sample to your veterinarian so they can look for the eggs under a microscope.

If your cat has roundworms our recommended solution is the Durvet WormEze (see on Amazon.com).

Hookworms

As the name implies, hookworms have a small “hook” on them that they use to attach themselves to the surface of your cat’s intestines. They can cause weight loss, bleeding and anemia.

The hookworm is transmitted through the ingestion of an infected host, the environment or the worm burrowing through the skin of an infected cat.

If your cat has hookworms our recommended solution is the Drontal Broad Spectrum Dewormer, (see on Amazon.com).

Tapeworms

These types of worms can grow various lengths inside your feline’s stomach. They are segmented and therefore broken segments may be eliminated through your cat’s feces. These segments look like grains of rice.

Depending on the species of tapeworm, they can be transmitted through the ingestion of an infected host, through the environment or through the bite of an infected mosquito.

If your cat has tapeworms, our recommended solution is the Bayer Tapeworm Dewormer (see on Amazon.com).

How Much Does it Cost to Deworm a Cat?

The cost of deworming a cat will depend greatly on the area you live in and how bad the infestation is in your feline.

When you take in your new kitten for an initial vet check, take a fresh stool sample with you. This saves on having to pay for another visit-charge.

Fecal tests to diagnose worms can range from $31 to $131 depending on your city. In addition, if your vet determines your cat has intestinal parasites, you will have to pay for the treatment drug. Again depending on the type of treatment (usually oral) and the amount prescribed and duration, you could be looking for at least $15 for the initial medication.

Also keep in mind that your cat will most likely have to have another fecal examine to determine if the worms are gone, so depending on your individual vet, you may have to pay again for the lab work and another office visit.

It’s Worth the Cost

Getting your cat tested for intestinal parasites, then taking the appropriate measures to eradicate them is the best plan. Cat’s left with worms can become severely ill and can continue to pass on these parasites to other animals.