Today’s topic is fundamental. It is about knowing how to deworm kittens step by step .
If you have a cat, there are a number of clinical care steps you should take into account to ensure that it is in full health. One of the most common problems among baby kittens is parasites , which is why the first deworming is essential.
Deworming is the process necessary to eliminate the different parasites that your pet may have from its digestive system or fur. It is a very important process, since if you do not deworm your cat, its health can seriously worsen and it can infect other animals and even people. It is contagious, so this is another reason to proceed with deworming as soon as possible.
Types of parasites that we combat when deworming baby kittens
There are two very different types of parasites depending on where they are located:
- Internal parasites . These are found inside the body, mainly in the intestine, but also in the heart and lungs, among other organs. The most common are protozoa and intestinal worms , which can cause serious obstructions and wounds in the intestine. Their symptoms are fatigue, cough, swollen abdomen, lack of appetite, diarrhea and vomiting. You should be especially careful with these parasites if your cat is a kitten, as they can cause growth retardation.
If you need more information, don’t miss our article “ Common intestinal parasites in cats ”
- External parasites . Also called ectoparasites, they live on the outside of animals, either on the skin, on the hair or in the ears. The most well-known are the famous fleas , which are really annoying for the animal and feed on blood hidden in the fur. Also in this group are mites (which cause scabies), ticks and lice . For fleas, there are special combs to remove them.
Internal deworming of baby kittens
There are also different formats for internal parasites: tablets or pills to deworm cats , pastes or even pipettes , which are ideal for adult cats who find it “mission impossible” to give something by mouth. Therefore, it is essential that when your cat is small and you need to deworm it, you do it as soon as possible, since kittens are much more vulnerable than adult cats.
Whether it is an adult cat or a kitten, it is important that you first go to your veterinarian so that he can advise you and tell you what is best for your pet. Remember that each cat is different and requires different care.
External deworming of kittens
There are several methods for deworming cats . For external parasites you can find flea combs, tick tweezers, special shampoos, pipettes , collars or antiparasitic sprays for cats and even products with insecticides for the home.
How to deworm a baby cat?
When it comes to treating external parasites, flea collars are usually quite effective. The only drawback is that most of them are recommended for kittens that are already between 4-10 weeks old. If your cat is much smaller, there are other flea spray products that can be applied to cats as young as two days old with great safety for the kitten.
We also recommend that you read our article on remedies to deworm a cat from fleas where you will get more detailed information on this subject.
If you have been to the vet and have been given treatment for your kitten’s internal parasites, you will have to face the task of how to give medicine to a cat . Not knowing how to deworm cats can turn into a real battle.
Cats are very stubborn and if they are not calm, they may try to defend themselves from your “attack” with their claws and teeth. Learn how to calm your cat with these simple steps so that you can administer the medicine comfortably.
7 Steps to Calm a Baby Kitten Before Deworming
| 1st Wrap your cat |
| Use a small sheet, thin blanket or towel to wrap him up, leaving only his head exposed. You should do this in a calm manner so that he is also calm. |
| 2. Place him between your legs or sitting on your lap |
| This way your cat will be comfortable and calm in your arms, and you will be able to have more control over him. This will make the process much easier. |
| 3rd Hold his head |
| Place your thumb and index finger on either side of its mouth. You must be careful , as its reaction may be to try to bite you if it feels “threatened”. |
| 4th Open your mouth |
| Apply a little pressure carefully to get your cat to open his mouth. Remember to stay calm . If he notices you are tense or nervous, he will be uneasy too. |
| 5. Place the medication in your mouth |
| Drop your cat’s deworming medication onto the back of the tongue . |
| 6. Help him swallow |
| Release your cat’s mouth while still holding the muzzle and lift the jaw up. Gently rub the cat’s throat to create the urge to swallow, holding this position for a few seconds until you are sure the cat has swallowed. |
| 7th Start letting go |
| Once you’ve made sure he’s swallowed the medication, you can let go of his muzzle, but it’s best to keep him on your lap for a few minutes. This will make sure he doesn’t spit it out without you noticing. Praise him for his good work! |
After a few minutes you can let him go. It is important that you congratulate your cat for his good behavior and remove the sheet or blanket while you continue praising him. The more affection you give him, the more positive his reaction will be in future occasions . So don’t forget to give him his favorite cat treat . He will associate the process as something good, calm and relaxing.
