The first days with a new puppy or kitten are filled with small moments you never forget. The way they run across the living room for the first time. The way they curl up beside you after a long day. Very quickly, they stop feeling like “a pet” and start feeling like part of the family. And like any family member, their health quickly becomes one of your biggest priorities.
As that bond grows, most pet owners begin learning about the care their new companion needs. Vaccinations, wellness exams, good nutrition, and another important step that sometimes surprises new pet owners, deworming.
Worms are actually very common in dogs and cats. The good news is that routine care makes them much easier to prevent and treat.
Why Deworming Is Important for Dogs and Cats
Many dogs and cats can pick up worms without their owners ever realizing it. Puppies and kittens may even carry parasites early in life, sometimes before they ever leave their mother.
As animals grow, they explore their surroundings. They sniff grass, dig in soil, chase bugs, and sometimes swallow things they probably should not. These normal behaviors can expose them to parasites that live in the environment. Fleas can also carry certain types of worms, which means pets can become infected even when they spend most of their time indoors.
Common parasites in pets include roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms. These worms live in your pet’s digestive system and feed on the nutrients your dog or cat needs to stay healthy. Over time, this may affect energy levels, digestion, and overall comfort.
Deworming treatments help remove these parasites and prevent them from growing further in the body. When done regularly, deworming treatments for dogs and cats help pets stay healthier and more comfortable as they grow.
When Puppies and Kittens Should Be Dewormed
Puppies and kittens are often dewormed very early in life. Because parasites can sometimes be passed from the mother, veterinarians usually recommend starting treatment within the first few weeks after birth.
Many veterinarians begin deworming puppies and kittens at around 2 to 3 weeks of age, followed by additional treatments during the early months of development as the pet continues to grow.
These treatments are often done during routine veterinary visits. This allows the veterinary team to check for parasites, monitor growth, and ensure the young pet is developing properly.
How Often Adult Dogs and Cats Need Deworming
Once pets reach adulthood, the deworming schedule usually changes. Instead of the frequent early treatments used for puppies and kittens, adult animals often follow a routine parasite prevention plan based on their lifestyle.
Dogs and cats that spend time outdoors, visit parks, hunt small animals, or interact with other animals may have a higher risk of exposure to parasites. Even indoor pets may still be exposed through fleas or other carriers.
For many adult pets, veterinarians may recommend deworming several times per year as part of a routine parasite prevention plan. The exact schedule often depends on your pet’s environment, daily habits, and overall health.
Signs Your Dog or Cat May Have Worms
Sometimes pets carry parasites without obvious symptoms at first. However, certain signs may suggest worms are present.
Common signs of worms may include:
- Digestive upset, such as diarrhea – irritation in the digestive system, may signal parasites interfering with normal digestion.
- Unexplained weight loss – worms consume nutrients, meaning your pet may lose weight even while eating normally.
- Lower energy levels – parasites can reduce nutrient absorption, meaning pets may feel tired or less playful.
- Scooting or licking the rear area – irritation around the digestive tract may cause this behavior.
- Visible worms in stool – in some cases, worms can be seen, meaning veterinary care is needed to properly treat the infection.
If you notice any of these changes, speaking with a veterinarian is always a good idea. Early treatment often makes the problem much easier to manage.
Can Indoor Pets Still Get Worms?
Many pet owners believe indoor pets are fully protected from parasites. While staying indoors reduces risk, it does not eliminate it completely.
Fleas can enter homes on clothing, shoes, or other pets, and some types of worms can spread through fleas. Parasites can also be carried inside on soil from shoes or outdoor items that enter the home. Even pets that rarely leave the house may still be exposed to these small sources of infection.
Because of this, veterinarians may still recommend routine parasite prevention for indoor pets. Regular wellness visits and stool testing help detect problems early, allowing treatment before parasites begin affecting your pet’s health.
Preventive Care Helps Keep Pets Healthy
Deworming is part of a larger plan to protect your pet’s health. Preventive care focuses on preventing problems before they become bigger concerns.
A few simple preventive steps can make a big difference for dogs and cats:
- Routine deworming schedules – regular treatments remove parasites early, meaning worms do not have time to grow or cause larger health problems.
- Flea prevention – controlling fleas reduces the chance of parasites spreading, meaning your pet stays protected from common carriers of worms.
- Stool testing during checkups – laboratory testing can detect parasites before symptoms appear, meaning treatment can begin early and protect your pet’s health.
- Annual wellness exams – regular veterinary visits allow the care team to monitor your pet’s health and adjust prevention plans, meaning your dog or cat receives care that fits their lifestyle.
With guidance from a veterinary team, parasite prevention becomes a simple and manageable part of caring for a dog or cat.
Looking for a Pet Hospital in Calgary?
If you are unsure when your dog or cat should be dewormed, speaking with a veterinary team can make things much easier. At West Springs Vet in Calgary, we focus on preventive care to help pets stay healthy at every stage of life.
As a trusted pet hospital and veterinary hospital, our team at West Springs Vet Hospital provides a wide range of animal care services for local families. For pet owners searching for reliable animal care west or an experienced animal hospital west, we are here to offer compassionate care and clear guidance for dogs and cats.
If you would like help building a deworming schedule or learning more about routine wellness care, we invite you to book a visit with our team at West Springs Vet Hospital, a trusted veterinary hospital serving pets and families in Calgary.
