Worms in Cats – worming your kitten

Most people land here after noticing something unsettling: a kitten with diarrhoea, a round belly, or tiny “grains of rice” around the tail — or they’ve simply realised their new kitten hasn’t been wormed on a proper schedule. With kittens, intestinal worms can move from “common” to “serious” quickly, and some parasites can also affect people through accidental contact with contaminated soil or faeces.

Below is a clear, Australia-appropriate guide to the main worms seen in cats, what to watch for, how often to worm kittens (with the schedule vets commonly recommend), how to give treatments safely, and how to reduce the chance of reinfestation.

Types of worms in cats

Most intestinal worms in cats fall into a few familiar groups. They live in different ways, spread differently, and don’t all respond to the same products — which is why “worming” is really about choosing the right coverage for your cat’s age and risk.

Roundworms

Roundworms are very common in kittens. They’re picked up from the environment and can also be passed from a queen to her kittens during nursing. Heavy burdens can cause a pot-bellied look, poor growth and digestive upset.¹

Hookworms

Hookworms attach to the intestinal lining and feed on blood. In kittens, that blood loss can contribute to anaemia and weakness, especially if the burden is heavy.¹

Tapeworms

Tapeworm infection is often linked to fleas: cats become infected when they swallow an infected flea while grooming. You may see small segments (often described as rice-like) near the anus or in bedding, though many cats look otherwise well.²

Symptoms of worm infestation in kittens

Some kittens carry worms with only subtle signs. Others show obvious digestive or growth problems, especially if they’re very young, underfed, stressed, or carrying a high worm load.

• Vomiting or diarrhoea
• Poor weight gain or weight loss
• Pot-bellied appearance
• Dull coat
• Lethargy
• Pale gums (possible anaemia), particularly with hookworms¹

Occasionally, worms may be seen in vomit or faeces — but not seeing them does not rule them out.¹

Why regular worming matters (for kittens and households)

In kittens, worms can contribute to dehydration, poor growth and (in severe cases) life-threatening illness. A predictable worming routine matters because kittens are exposed early, and many products work by clearing current infections — they don’t create a permanent “shield”.¹

There’s also a human-health angle. Roundworm eggs can persist in the environment for long periods under the right conditions, and people (especially young children) can be exposed through contaminated soil, sandpits, or unwashed hands after handling pet waste.⁶

How often to worm a kitten (Australian vet schedule)

Schedules vary slightly by clinic and product, but a commonly used, practical regimen for kittens in Australia is:

• Every 2 weeks until 12 weeks of age
• Then monthly until 6 months of age
• Then every 3 months in adulthood (or as advised for your cat’s lifestyle and local risks)¹

If you’ve adopted a kitten and don’t know their worming history, ask the rescue/breeder for dates and product names, then confirm a catch-up plan with your vet.

Choosing the right worming treatment

Different products cover different parasites, and age limits matter. The simplest approach is to choose a broad-spectrum product appropriate for your kitten’s age and weight, then dose accurately.

What to consider

• Age and minimum weight: some actives aren’t suitable for very young kittens.¹
• Coverage: not all “wormers” treat tapeworm, and flea control is often essential to break the tapeworm cycle.²
• Lifestyle: outdoor access, hunting, multi-cat homes and flea exposure generally increase the need for consistent coverage.
• Combination products: some monthly spot-ons/tablets combine flea control and intestinal worm coverage, but may not cover every worm type in every formulation — read the label and confirm with your vet.¹

How to give worming medication to kittens

Your vet can match the product to your kitten’s age, risk and temperament. However you give it, the goal is simple: the full dose, swallowed or applied correctly, on the right day.

Tablets (or oral paste)

• Weigh your kitten (even small changes matter for dosing).
• If giving with food, offer a small amount first to make sure it’s eaten entirely.
• If pilling directly, place the tablet gently at the back of the tongue, close the mouth, and allow a swallow before offering water or a small treat.

Spot-on products

• Apply to the skin at the back of the neck (part the fur; don’t apply to hair alone).
• Prevent licking until dry and keep other pets from grooming the area.

If your kitten vomits soon after a dose, or you’re not sure the full dose went in, ring your vet before re-dosing.

Preventing reinfestation

Worming clears the worms in the kitten. Preventing reinfection is about reducing exposure — especially to fleas, prey animals, and contaminated environments.

• Keep flea control consistent to reduce tapeworm risk.²
• Remove faeces promptly and clean litter trays regularly.
• Wash hands after cleaning litter trays, gardening, or handling pet waste; supervise children closely with handwashing.⁶
• Reduce hunting and scavenging where possible (prey can carry parasites).

For households with pregnancy or immunosuppression, hygiene around litter trays matters for other parasites too. Daily litter tray cleaning reduces the chance of Toxoplasma oocysts becoming infective, and gloves plus handwashing add a practical layer of protection.⁵

Risks of leaving worms untreated

Untreated worm burdens can cause ongoing digestive disease, poor growth and general weakness. In kittens, heavy infestations can become emergencies — for example, profound anaemia with hookworms or intestinal complications with large roundworm burdens.¹

Worm control also reduces environmental contamination with eggs and larvae, which is part of protecting other pets and people, particularly children who play in soil and sand.⁶

When to see a vet

Book a veterinary check promptly if your kitten has any of the following:

• Repeated vomiting or ongoing diarrhoea
• Weight loss, failure to gain weight, or poor appetite
• Signs of dehydration (dry gums, weakness, prolonged skin tenting)
• Pale gums, marked lethargy, or collapse (possible significant anaemia)
• Visible worms or segments, especially if your kitten is very young or unwell

Your vet may recommend a faecal test, tailored parasite control (including flea treatment), and supportive care if your kitten is dehydrated or anaemic.

Final thoughts

Most kitten worm problems are manageable with a steady routine: broad-spectrum treatment on an age-appropriate schedule, accurate dosing by weight, and good flea control. Add simple hygiene — quick faeces clean-up, clean litter trays, and handwashing — and you cut the chances of reinfection while keeping the household safer.^{1, 6}

References

1. University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Sydney — Intestinal worms (kitten worming schedule and signs)
2. Merck Veterinary Manual (Cat Owners) — Worms in cats
3. University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Sydney — Kitten parasite protection calendar
4. Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) — General parasite control guidelines (kittens)
5. Victoria State Government (Health) — Toxoplasmosis (prevention and litter tray advice)
6. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — How toxocariasis spreads and prevention
7. CDC — Healthy Pets, Healthy People: Cats (hygiene and litter box precautions)
8. CDC — Preventing toxoplasmosis (daily litter tray cleaning and hygiene)
9. Crookwell Veterinary Hospital — Worming in cats (risks in kittens and suggested programs)