introduction
Controlling intestinal worms is very important for the health of both a queen (mother) cat and her kittens. The queen has to support the growth of her litter, and after birth, nurse them until weaning. This puts a strain on a cat’s system which is made worse if worms are stealing valuable nutrients. For kittens, heavy worm burdens early in life can be very serious. Blood loss and nutrient loss can stunt growth, interfere with normal strength to nurse, and in rare instances, can lead to death.
Worming Pregnant Cats and their Kittens
Planning for parasite control should begin before breeding. Routine deworming should include products effective against common parasites, particularly roundworms. If a flea infestation has been identified, deworming for tapeworms is also appropriate. Not all products are safe for queens during pregnancy, so consult your veterinarian before beginning any treatment.
After birth, the mother can be safely treated for worms, and the kittens should be given worming treatments starting soon after birth. Treatment of all kittens at 3, 5, 7, and 9 weeks of age should be effective against common intestinal worms. This regimen should be followed even if stool samples do not indicate the kitten is currently infested with worms.
Preventing Worm Buildup
The nesting box where the mother and kittens stay should be kept clean, and the litter box should be cleaned daily with gloved hands to prevent buildup of worm eggs. Dirty litter should be bagged and disposed of in the garbage, not put into the garden or lawn.