Key Points:

• The #1 Best Overall dewormer for cats is the Revolution Plus Topical Solution.
• If your cat is dealing with worms, this issue can lead to health complications like weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, a distended abdomen, and a dull coat. It’s important to get a diagnosis from a veterinarian before proceeding with treatment.
• There are plenty of quality over-the-counter dewormer products that typically come in liquids or tablets. There are also natural products and those specialized to be gentle with kittens.
• Types of worms that dewormers battle are tapeworms, roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and more.

Worms in cats can lead to a variety of major health issues including diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, a distended abdomen, lesions on the skin, and a dull coat that lacks its normal shine. If you’re concerned that your cat is facing a worm infestation, your first step should be to contact your veterinarian to confirm this is the cause. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, choosing the best deworming will be important.

Dewormers are available in a variety of forms, such as liquids, tablets, and natural options, at dosages for both cats and kittens. Some can be purchased without vet prescriptions, while others may require a prescription. Many dewormers feature a broad-spectrum formula to combat various types of worms like tapeworms, roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms, while others may be more specialized for one particular species.

If you need to find the best broad-spectrum or specialized dewormer for your cat, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve researched for you and have put together this list of the top choices on the market. Continue reading to find the dewormer that will help clear up your cat’s worm infestation and return them to a healthy state.

Top Picks: The Best Dewormers for Cats

#1 Overall Best Dewormer for Cats: Revolution Plus Topical Solution

The Revolution Plus Topical Solution for Cats is our top choice for dewormers. It is designed for use in both cats and kittens who are at least two months old and weigh at least 5.6 pounds. Because it is a topical solution, Revolution plus is the easiest to apply of the other treatments here. Simply squeeze the tube to apply the medication to your cat’s back (between their shoulder blades so that they can’t lick it off easily), and you’re done! A handful of customers reported having troubles squeezing the small tube, but in general, believed it was easy to apply.

Not only is this method easier to give to your cat, but it also has broad-spectrum applications like treating ear mites and fleas as well as roundworms and hookworms. Because it can be used on both cats and kittens it is a true one-stop shop for cat deworming, and much more.

Revolution Plus comes in three types to help you use only the correct amount necessary for your cat. These are identified by the colors gold, orange, and green. Gold is suitable for 2.8 to 5.5-pound cats, orange is suitable for 5.6 to 11-pound cats, and green is appropriate for 11.1 to 22-pound cats. Please check your pet’s weight in order to make the correct product choice here.

Active ingredients include selamectin and sarolaner, in differing quantities based on your pet’s weight. The dosage for all box colors is the same. Owners should administer the entire contents of each tube monthly. The only drawback is that this medication can be a bit pricey, especially if you have several cats.

Pros and Cons of the Revolution Plus Topical Solution for Cats

Best Overall

Revolution Plus Topical Solution for Cats

• Topical application is much easier than pills
• Broad appeal with prevention for ear mites, fleas, and ticks as well as worms
• Easy regulation of dosage based on box type

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2. Best for Roundworms:Hartz UltraGuard Rid Worm

If your cat is suffering from Toxocara canis or Toxacaris leonia, more commonly known as roundworms, try the Hartz UltraGuard Rid Worm. This is a liquid dewormer that is designed to be mild, yet very effective for getting rid of roundworms. It is suitable for use in cats and kittens who are at least eight weeks old.

The liquid formula is designed to be easy to give to cats. Simply mix the syrup in with food for your cat or dispense it directly into their mouth. Most cats like the flavor, but there are some more picky eaters that may have trouble eating it. Mixing it with cat food is a great option if you are treating feral cats or cats that do not like being handled.

You’ll need to give two treatments with this dewormer to effectively rid your cat of worms. The second treatment should take place two weeks after the initial treatment. Some customers also reported that their cats needed additional treatment following their first two rounds. However, be sure to check with your veterinarian if your cat is still experiencing problems.

Pros and Cons of the Hartz UltraGuard Rid Worm

Best for Roundworms

Hartz UltraGuard Rid Worm Dewormer for Roundworms for Cats, 4-oz bottle

$7.62

• Best option for targeting roundworms specifically
• The liquid formula is easy to mix with cat food and guarantee a 100% ingestion
• Easy dosage, requiring only two treatments

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3. Best for Tapeworms: Bayer Tapeworm Dewormer for Cats

Tapeworms are another common parasite that cats deal with. We like the Bayer Tapeworm Dewormer for Cats for treating annoying tapeworms.

This bottle includes three doses to treat your cat for tapeworms. You can either place the tablets in a pill pocket or crush them to mix with your cat’s food for easy dosing. There are three doses, which is less convenient than the two other products listed here, but if you are targeting tapeworms this is the most specifically designed product for that use case to help your cat or kitten.

You can use the Bayer Tapeworm Dewormer on cats or kittens who are at least six weeks old.

Pros and Cons of the Bayer Tapeworm Dewormer for Cats

Best for Tapeworms

BAYER Dewormer for Tapeworms for Cats

• The best option for targeting tapeworms specifically
• Three doses, higher than competing products but very effective at targeting tapeworms specifically
• Can be crushed and added to food for easier application

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How to Choose the Best Dewormer for Cats

While all of the products on this list work well, each cat and each situation is different and unique. After talking to your veterinarian, you will need to consider the features of the products you are choosing from, such as:

• Value for money
• Effective ingredients
• Application.

Let’s take a closer look at each of these.

Value for Money

We wanted to provide options for consumers that range in cost from inexpensive to pricier, depending on what you’re willing to spend. The Hartz Dewormer is great for those on a budget, and quite effective at removing roundworms from adult cats and kittens. The more expensive Revolution (our best overall) is an all-inclusive choice that not only eliminates roundworms and hookworms, but also kills fleas before they lay eggs, ticks, and ear mites, and helps prevent heartworm disease.

Effective Ingredients

The products we chose are widely recommended by veterinarians as well as reviewers for containing safe, effective ingredients that will rid your cat(s) of a variety of worms, while also benefitting them in other ways, depending on which product you choose. It’s important to ask your veterinarian which ingredients you’ll need to be included for your cat and specific situation.

Application

There are various application methods when it comes to deworming medications. While Revolution is easily applied behind the neck where it absorbs into your cat’s skin, the Bayer Tapeworm Dewormer comes in tablet form. Some reviewers find a tablet to be a challenge for cats who can be finicky. The Hartz UltraGuard Rid Worm comes in a liquid form which can be added to your cat’s water or food for easy consumption or squirted directly into their mouth. You’ll need to consider your cat’s individual personality and preferences when considering which option to choose.

How Do Cats Contract Worms?

Many cat owners assume that if their cat is an indoor cat, they won’t contract worms. Unfortunately, that is not true. Indoor cats can contract worms by accidentally consuming infected fleas when they are grooming themselves. This can result in tapeworms, as well as if your indoor cat has had contact with a rodent such as a mouse or a rat. Roundworms can be passed to a kitten through its mother’s milk, be ingested by an indoor cat if brought in on an owner’s shoes or clothes, or ingested when killing a rodent. Obviously, these methods of contracting worms apply to outdoor cats, and their chances of getting worms are higher than an indoor cat — but both indoor and outdoor cats are at risk.

How to Know if Your Cat Needs a Dewormer

Scheduling an appointment with your cat’s veterinarian is the best way to confirm if they are dealing with a worm infestation. There are several symptoms that can indicate your cat has worms. These can include:

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Dull-looking coat
• Pale gums
• Tarry and dark feces
• Weight loss
• Distended abdomen
• Pale gums
• Excessive licking of their anus
• Dehydration
• Low blood pressure
• Weakness and lethargy
• The appearance of worms in your cat’s stool or vomit

In most cases, worms are not a life-threatening condition for cats. It is estimated that up to 45% of cats will be infected with worms at some point in their life. Outdoor cats are at an even greater risk of getting worms than indoor cats.

What Type of Dewormer Should You Get?

Dewormers are available in tablet and liquid form. Both options perform similarly, and the right choice for your cat will likely be the one that you will be able to administer to them. You also want to make sure that you pay attention to the correct dosage for cats or kittens and that the dewormer you choose targets the specific type of worm that your cat has.

Some of the most common types of worms that cats get include roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, and whipworms. If you are unsure what type of worms your cat has, consult with their veterinarian to make sure you’re treating the right thing.

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