Deworming is an important part of keeping dogs and cats healthy. Intestinal worms can affect puppies, kittens and adult pets, and some parasites can also pose a risk to people.
If you have recently adopted a puppy or kitten, you may be wondering:
How often should I deworm my pet?
What are the signs that my dog or cat has worms?
Which dewormer should I use?
The answers depend on your pet’s age, health, lifestyle, parasite exposure and the type of worms that may be present.
In Kenya, where pets can be exposed to a variety of parasites, regular veterinary advice and appropriate parasite control are important parts of responsible pet ownership.
Why Is Deworming Important for Dogs and Cats?
Dogs and cats can become infected with different types of intestinal parasites.
Common intestinal worms include:
- Roundworms
- Hookworms
- Whipworms
- Tapeworms
Some parasites can cause significant illness, particularly in puppies and kittens.
Heavy worm infestations can contribute to:
- Poor growth
- Weight loss
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Poor coat condition
- Weakness
- Anaemia
- Abdominal discomfort
Some intestinal parasites can also infect humans, making appropriate parasite control important for the whole household.
How Often Should You Deworm a Puppy?
Puppies are particularly vulnerable to intestinal parasites.
They can acquire certain worms from their mother and may also become infected through their environment.
Veterinary parasite-control guidelines commonly recommend starting deworming at a young age and repeating treatment at regular intervals during puppyhood.
A general puppy deworming programme may involve treatment every few weeks during the early months, followed by a longer-term preventive programme.
However, the correct schedule depends on the specific dewormer, the puppy’s age, health and parasite risk.
Do not use a random deworming schedule without veterinary guidance.
How Often Should You Deworm a Kitten?
Kittens can also become infected with intestinal parasites early in life.
A veterinarian can recommend an appropriate deworming schedule based on:
- Age
- Weight
- Health
- Previous treatment
- Lifestyle
- Exposure to other animals
Young kittens generally require more frequent parasite management than healthy adult cats.
If you have recently adopted a kitten and do not know its deworming history, arrange a veterinary examination.
How Often Should Adult Dogs Be Dewormed?
Adult dogs may continue to be exposed to parasites throughout their lives.
The appropriate frequency depends on factors such as:
- Whether the dog spends time outdoors
- Contact with other animals
- Hunting or scavenging behaviour
- Exposure to contaminated soil
- Flea infestations
- Travel
- Previous parasite infections
- Local parasite risks
Some dogs may require regular preventive treatment, while others may need a different approach based on their individual risk.
Your veterinarian can help create a parasite-control programme appropriate for your dog.
How Often Should Adult Cats Be Dewormed?
The same principle applies to adult cats.
Indoor cats may have lower exposure to some parasites, but they are not completely risk-free.
Outdoor cats can have increased exposure through:
- Hunting
- Contact with other animals
- Contaminated soil
- Fleas
- Infected prey
- Outdoor environments
Your veterinarian can assess your cat’s lifestyle and recommend an appropriate parasite-control programme.
What Are the Signs of Worms in Dogs?
Some dogs with worms may show no obvious symptoms.
Other dogs may develop:
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
- Poor appetite
- Bloated abdomen
- Dull coat
- Weakness
- Scooting
- Visible worms in stool or vomit
Puppies with severe worm infestations may develop anaemia or fail to grow normally.
If you suspect your dog has worms, consult a veterinarian rather than simply giving medication without identifying the problem.
What Are the Signs of Worms in Cats?
Cats may also show subtle signs of parasite infection.
Possible symptoms include:
- Weight loss
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Reduced appetite
- Poor coat condition
- Weakness
- Bloated abdomen
- Worm segments around the anus or in faeces
Cats are particularly good at hiding signs of illness, so changes in normal behaviour or body condition should not be ignored.
Can You See Worms in Your Pet’s Stool?
Sometimes.
Certain worms or worm segments may be visible in faeces.
For example, tapeworm segments can sometimes appear like small pieces of rice around the pet’s anus or in its stool.
However, the absence of visible worms does not mean that your pet is parasite-free.
Some infections can only be detected through appropriate veterinary testing.
Can Puppies and Kittens Get Worms From Their Mothers?
Yes.
Some intestinal parasites can be transmitted from mother to offspring.
This is one reason puppies and kittens need appropriate parasite-control programmes from an early age.
If you have a new litter, speak with your veterinarian about deworming the mother and young animals.
Can Humans Get Worms From Dogs and Cats?
Some parasites that affect dogs and cats can also infect people.
Children may be particularly exposed because they are more likely to play in soil or have close contact with pets.
Good hygiene can help reduce the risk.
Important habits include:
- Washing hands after handling pets
- Washing hands before eating
- Regularly cleaning pet faeces
- Keeping children’s play areas clean
- Preventing pets from contaminating food preparation areas
- Maintaining appropriate parasite control
- Regular veterinary care
If someone in your household develops symptoms that may be related to a parasitic infection, seek medical advice.
Is Deworming the Same as Flea and Tick Treatment?
No.
Deworming products generally target specific internal parasites, while flea and tick treatments target external parasites.
Your pet may need a broader parasite-control programme covering:
Internal parasites
- Roundworms
- Hookworms
- Whipworms
- Tapeworms
External parasites
- Fleas
- Ticks
- Mites
Some modern veterinary products may protect against multiple parasites, but not every product covers every parasite.
Ask your veterinarian which products are appropriate for your pet.
Can I Buy a Dewormer and Give It to My Pet at Home?
Some deworming medicines are available for pet owners to administer at home, but choosing the right product and dose is important.
The correct dose depends on factors such as:
- Species
- Age
- Body weight
- Health status
- Pregnancy
- The type of parasite
- The medication being used
Using the wrong product or dose can be ineffective or potentially harmful.
For puppies, kittens, pregnant animals, sick pets or pets with persistent symptoms, veterinary advice is particularly important.
What Happens During a Deworming Visit?
A veterinarian may ask about:
- Your pet’s age
- Weight
- Diet
- Lifestyle
- Outdoor exposure
- Previous deworming
- Flea and tick control
- Symptoms
- Vaccination history
The veterinarian may recommend treatment and, where appropriate, diagnostic testing.
A deworming visit can also be an opportunity to review your pet’s general preventive healthcare.
Should My Pet Be Tested for Worms?
Sometimes.
Your veterinarian may recommend a faecal examination when:
- Your pet has persistent diarrhoea
- There is unexplained weight loss
- Worms are suspected
- Treatment has not worked
- Your pet has repeated parasite infections
- The pet is very young or medically vulnerable
Testing can help identify the type of parasite and guide appropriate treatment.
How Can I Reduce My Pet’s Risk of Worms?
Deworming is only one part of parasite prevention.
You can also reduce your pet’s risk by:
- Cleaning up faeces promptly
- Keeping living areas clean
- Preventing pets from eating faeces
- Controlling fleas
- Avoiding contaminated environments where possible
- Maintaining good hygiene
- Following your veterinarian’s parasite-control programme
- Attending regular veterinary check-ups
If your dog hunts or scavenges, discuss this with your veterinarian because it can increase parasite exposure.
Deworming in Karen and Nairobi
If you live in Karen, Hardy, Lang’ata or surrounding areas of Nairobi, Hardy Veterinary Clinic can help you develop an appropriate parasite-control plan for your pet.
The clinic provides veterinary services including:
- Deworming and parasite management
- Dog and cat vaccinations
- General consultations
- Diagnostics
- Emergency veterinary care
- Surgery
- Dental care
During your pet’s visit, the veterinary team can assess your pet’s health and recommend appropriate parasite prevention based on its age, lifestyle and risk factors.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I deworm my puppy in Kenya?
Puppies generally require more frequent parasite control during their early development. The exact schedule depends on the puppy’s age, health, the dewormer being used and its parasite exposure. Ask your veterinarian for an appropriate schedule.
How often should I deworm my adult dog?
There is no single schedule that applies to every adult dog. Frequency depends on lifestyle, parasite exposure, preventive products and local risk.
How often should I deworm my kitten?
Kittens commonly require regular parasite control during their early development. Your veterinarian can recommend the appropriate schedule based on age, weight and health.
Can an indoor cat get worms?
Yes. Indoor cats can still be exposed to certain parasites through fleas, other animals, contaminated objects or other routes.
What are the signs that my dog has worms?
Possible signs include diarrhoea, vomiting, weight loss, poor coat condition, bloating, weakness and visible worms or worm segments. Some infected dogs may show no obvious symptoms.
Can worms from pets infect humans?
Some parasites that affect pets can also infect humans. Good hygiene, prompt removal of pet faeces, parasite control and veterinary care can help reduce the risk.
Can I deworm my pet without seeing a vet?
Some pet owners administer deworming medicines at home, but the correct product and dose depend on the animal and suspected parasite. Veterinary advice is particularly important for puppies, kittens, pregnant pets and animals that are sick or showing persistent symptoms.
Keep Your Pet Protected From Parasites
Regular parasite control is an important part of responsible pet ownership.
Whether you have a puppy, kitten, adult dog or adult cat, your veterinarian can help you determine how often your pet should be dewormed and which parasite-control products are appropriate.
If your pet has symptoms of worms, has an unknown deworming history or is overdue for parasite control, don’t wait for the problem to become severe.
Hardy Veterinary Clinic
391 Kongoni Road, Hardy–Karen, Nairobi
Veterinary services include:
✓ Deworming and parasite control
✓ Dog and cat vaccinations
✓ General consultations
✓ Emergency veterinary care
✓ Diagnostics and laboratory services
✓ Pet surgery
✓ Dental care
Contact Hardy Veterinary Clinic to discuss your pet’s deworming and parasite-control needs.
