Are you looking for the best over the counter cat dewormer?
Roundworms and tapeworms are very common in cats and may cause several issues such as vomiting, weight loss, diarrhea, etc.
They live in the intestines and survive by absorbing nutrients from the food.
This also leads to nutrient deficiencies.
In this article, we will go through the top 5 best over the counter cat dewormers on the market and help you pick the best one.
Just in case you are in a hurry, click on our short summary below to view our Top 5 reviewed products for the best over the counter cat dewormer:
- Bayer Tapeworm Dewormer
- No products found.
- FurFinds Herbal Cleanse for Cats & Kittens
- Bayer Drontal Broad Spectrum Dewormer
- No products found.
Best Over The Counter Cat Dewormer: 2022 Top 5 Picks
1. Our Editor’s Pick: Bayer Tapeworm Dewormer (6 Weeks and Older)
If you’re looking for the best OTC cat dewormer, this is a perfect choice.
These pills offer a simple solution to remove tapeworm in cats and are suitable for kittens over six weeks in age.
Key Features
- Removes common tapeworms including Dipylidium caninum and Taenia taeniaeformis
- Suitable for cats and kittens over six weeks
- Easy to feed
- Fast-acting formula
Here’s What We Like
- Easy to camouflage with food
- Works with a single dose
- Well-reputed brand
Here’s What We Don’t Like
- A large tablet
- 3-count bottle of tapeworm dewormer for cats
- Easy effective way to remove common tapeworms in cats
- Tablets may be crumbled and mixed with food or taken by mouth
- Tapeworm Dewormer for Cats will remove the common tapeworms, Dipylidium caninum and Taenia taeniaeformis, from cats and kittens
- For use in cats over 6 weeks of age
2. No products found.
No products found.The Excel Liquid dewormer definitely deserves a spot on our list of the best dewormer for kittens over six weeks in age.
The dewormer is extremely effective and easy to administer.
Key Features
- An excellent choice for cats with roundworms
- Extremely effective
- You can use a syringe to give it to the cat
- Made in the US
Here’s What We Like
- Easy to use
- High-quality roundworm dewormer
- Good shelf life
- Value for money
Here’s What We Don’t Like
- Not for cats less than 2.5 lb in body weight
No products found.
3. FurFinds Herbal Cleanse for Cats & Kittens
This natural dewormer is easy to give as well as effective, making it one of the best cat dewormers on the market.
It is effective in removing almost all types of worms – roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms etc by using only natural and safe herbal ingredients.
The ingredient list is so simple and easy to understand: Pumpkin Seed, Oregano, Black Walnut, Wormwood, Apple Cider Vinegar, Peppermint, Clove, Papain
We also love that FurFinds Herbal cleanser comes in an easy to use and fast acting liquid formula!
You just need to add drops into your cat’s food or drink as per chart on the bottle. This definitely make feeding medication fuss free!
Key Features
- Easy to administer
- Helps fight whipworms, pinworms, tapeworms, and roundworms
- Soothes and relaxes the digestive tract
- All-natural and effective ingredients
Here’s What We Like
- Removes almost all types of worms
- Easy to use formula (Liquid drops)
- All natural herbal ingredients
- Made in USA
Here’s What We Don’t Like
- Up to 5% of the pets may not respond to the formula
- EFFECTIVE FOR DOGS AND CATS - professionally formulated and effective. Works for both dogs and cats, puppies and kittens, senior dogs and cats of all breeds and sizes.
- EASY TO USE - liquid formula makes this supplement easy to use and fast to absorb - just add drops into your pet's food or drink as per chart on the bottle. No hassle with pills or chews that your pet won't eat.
- POWERFUL NATURAL FORMULA - no strong artificial elements are used in the formula, only pure natural ingredients that have proven to be safe and effectitve. No hormones, artificial flavoring, preservatives are used in its formula.
- MADE IN USA - vet formulated and manufactured in USA. All ingredients used in its formula are sourced in USA as well.
4. Bayer Drontal Broad Spectrum Dewormer
If you’re looking for one of the best kitten dewormers, these broad-spectrum tablets by Bayer are a great choice.
These tablets are suitable for kittens over four weeks in age or 1.5 pounds in weight.
The product is reliable and easy to use.
Key Features
- Helps fight hookworms, roundworms, and tapeworms
- A great choice for multi-cat households
- The fast-acting formula works within 24 hours
- Effective
Here’s What We Like
- Easy to use
- Effective formula
- Reliable brand
- Quick-relief formula
Here’s What We Don’t Like
- More expensive than other dewormers on the list, but certainly worth the price since it is a broad-spectrum dewormer
- Broad spectrum dewormer for tapeworms, roundworms and hookworms
- For cats and kittens over 1 month of age and 1.5 pounds
- Give one tablet per 4-8 lbs. body weight
- May be given directly by mouth or in a small amount of food
5. No products found.
No products found.This cat dewormer that helps keep roundworms away from your kitty.
The product is easy to administer, safe, and highly effective. A single dose works for 10 days.
Key Features
- Easy to give
- Piperazine citrate, the active ingredient fights roundworms
- Safe to use for cats over 6 weeks
- One dose every 10 days, keeps the roundworms away
Here’s What We Like
- Simple and effective formula
- Excellent for adult cats
Here’s What We Don’t Like
- Not for young kittens
No products found.
How Do You Know When Your Cats Have Worms?
Let’s take a quick look at some of the symptoms of worms in cats, shall we?
a) Roundworm Symptoms
Roundworms are extremely common in cats.
Your cat may get infected if she consumes roundworms in some form or through nursing.
The symptoms of roundworm infection in cats include:
- Dull coat
- Delayed growth in kittens
- Coughing
- Bloated stomach
- Diarrhea with mucus
- Worms visible in feces and vomit
B) Hookworm Symptoms
Hookworms are one of the most common intestinal parasites in cats.
Here are the symptoms of hookworm infestation:
- Lesions on the paws
- Constipation
- Coughing
- Dark stool
- Diarrhea
C) Tapeworm Symptoms
A cat gets tapeworm through an intermediary host, usually ticks.
They’re hard to diagnose, and the symptoms include:
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
- Tapeworm segments in the stool
Important Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Over the Counter Cat Dewormer
Let’s take a look at a few things you need to know before getting an over the counter cat dewormer.
1) The Recommended Age
Some dewormers aren’t suitable for kittens under six weeks of age, while others may not be suitable for senior cats.
Make sure that the dewormer you choose is the right one. Kittens need to be dewormed more regularly than older cats.
2) Bodyweight
The best over the counter cat dewormers are well-suited for cats over 2.5 lbs in weight.
It’s crucial to check it to make sure your kitty doesn’t have a bad reaction to it.
3) Allergies
Give the list of ingredients a close look to make sure it doesn’t contain ingredients that your cat is allergic to!
4) Diagnosis
If you know the type of worm that’s infesting your cat, you should get medicine to address it. However, if you’re not so sure, you should get a broad-spectrum dewormer.
5) Country of Origin
It’s best to go for cat dewormers made in the United States or Canada so that they’re safe to use.
6) Natural Versus Allopathic
If you prefer a holistic approach, you should go for a natural OTC dewormer. These are effective if used consistently are have little to no side effects.
If you don’t believe in natural remedies, allopathic dewormers are a good choice as they are highly effective and have quick results.
Keep these factors in mind when looking for the best over the counter cat dewormer.
These will help you make a well-informed decision.
FAQs on The Best Over The Counter Cat Dewormer
1. Can I deworm my cat myself?
Yes! If you are familiar with the process, you can conveniently deworm your cat at home.
You need a digital scale to measure the weight for determining the right dosage, your choice of oral dewormer and a syringe.
After 2-3 weeks of taking the first medication cycle, a follow up is needed.
If after deworming your cat still did not get any better, you need to call or bring him to the vet for extra test.
2. Will Apple cider vinegar kill worms in cats?
Apple cider or ACV is an effective solution to get rid of parasites in your cat.
ACV turns the intestinal ph of your cat from acidic to alkaline, so the worms cant live in their stomach.
The acidity of ACV can prevent parasite infestation if you give it to them through water or meal.
Bear in mind though that when your cat has an extreme condition, use a deworming solution instead of ACV.
3. How long after deworming a cat are the worms gone?
It takes about 24 hours for most deworming solution to work and eliminate tapeworms in your cat.
It works so fast that most of the cats taking it don’t need a second dose.
However, it is recommended to take another shot after 2-3 weeks to kill the remaining adult worms.
4. Is it bad to deworm a cat without worms?
It is not recommended to give your cat a deworming solution if no symptoms of worm infestations are present.
Giving them a deworming solution is harsh for their system.
You need to reach out to your vet if you are not sure on what to administer to your cat if they are showing symptoms of any discomfort.
In Conclusion
Did we help you find the best over the counter cat dewormer?
We feel that the Bayer Tapeworm Dewormer is the best choice as it is simple to use, effective, and highly reliable.
The quick-acting formula 24 hours and the tapeworm dewormer is safe for kittens (over six weeks) and adult cats.
Bayer Tapeworm Dewormer is an excellent choice if you’re looking to keep all kinds of worms away from your kitty.
