How often to deworm your cat?

For an adult cat, the general recommendation is 4 dewormings per year, or once every 3 months. This quarterly frequency is recommended by ESCCAP France. It can be adjusted to the lifestyle: a cat that goes outdoors, hunts, or lives with young children may be dewormed more frequently (up to every 2 months). Conversely, a strictly indoor cat with no contact with prey and protected from fleas can sometimes space out treatments – but never skip them entirely, as parasite eggs can be brought inside via shoes or clothing.

A kitten is much more vulnerable than an adult cat: it can already be infected from birth by its mother. The recommended frequency is closer: deworm every 2 weeks until 3 months of age, then once a month until 6 months. After 6 months, gradually switch to the adult rhythm (once every 3 months). This high frequency is explained by the rapid development of worms and the risks to a young animal's growth.

Yes, lifestyle is the main adjustment factor. A hunting cat or a cat that regularly goes outdoors is more exposed (prey, outdoor environment) and warrants a strict quarterly, or even bi-monthly, deworming schedule. A cat living indoors remains indirectly exposed (fleas, eggs brought in from outside), so deworming is still necessary, even without going outdoors. The presence of young children in the household is also a reason to maintain a more frequent rhythm, as some parasites are transmissible to humans.

The immune system of older cats is more vulnerable. There is no universal frequency for seniors: this is typically a case where regular veterinary check-ups can determine the most appropriate rhythm for the animal's health condition.