What’s the worst that could happen without regular worming treatment?

Well, unfortunately, quite a lot of bad stuff. And worms don’t just affect our pets – us humans aren’t safe from them either!

Read on to find out more about these nasty wrigglers, the symptoms of worm infestation and how regular worming treatment can help to keep you, your pet and family safe.

Can I just wait until my pet shows symptoms of worms to give them their treatment?

In a word: No!

One of the worrying things about worms infesting your pet is that quite often, there are often no early signs of them whatsoever. Those worms can remain hidden away, deep in your pet’s guts. Your pet could be playing, sleeping and eating just fine, but inside they may have worms feeding, growing and multiplying.  

You wouldn’t have a clue until it was possibly too late – scary stuff, right?

When pets do show signs of worms, it’s usually at the point when an infestation has got a firm hold of them.

Symptoms of worm infestation can include:

• Tummy pain
• Diarrhoea
• Weight loss
• Dull or lifeless fur
• Anaemia

In pups or kittens, large numbers of worms can even cause blockages on their insides, which sadly can be fatal. This can be easily prevented by giving a regular worming treatment.

What signs should I be on the lookout for?

Signs that your pet might have worms include: 

• Scratching or rubbing their bum (‘scooting’). Pets with worms will often drag their bum across the floor to give themselves a good ol’ scratch from your carpet.
• Eggs or worms in your pet’s poo or vomit. This is the most common way to spot them, but remember that not all worms are big enough to be seen.
• Worms in their fur or around their bum. You might see tapeworms moving in your pet’s fur or on their body (shudder). 
• Diarrhoea. Any form of upset tummy should always be treated as a red flag.

Why is regular, preventative worming treatment so important?

The age-old saying is true: prevention is better than cure. 

Worms are not just a threat to your pet. They can be a threat to people too – especially young children or those living with a weakened immune system. One worm in particular you don’t want a child to cross paths with is (Toxocara) – they can cause serious health conditions such as blindness and epilepsy.

That’s why it’s super important that worming tablets are given regularly and on-time to all dogs and cats living in the house.  

Is there a connection between fleas and worms?

Yes, there is! As if fleas couldn’t get any worse, they can also give your pet worms. That’s right, your pet could accidentally swallow a flea mid-grooming sesh and if that blighter is carrying tapeworm larvae, they’ll be in your bestie’s guts and multiplying before you know it.

It’s important to treat your pet for fleas alongside treating them for worms. Think of them as a really iconic duo, like ham and cheese, or Ant & Dec.

How does Itch help me to protect my pet from worms?

Itch Wormer’s fast-acting formula kills common intestinal worms and prevents newly hatched larvae from growing and multiplying. Protecting you, your home and your pet until their next monthly treatment.

It’s suitable for dogs 2 weeks or older and cats 6 weeks or older.

You can either give it to your pet as it comes, roll it up in something tasty or crush the hell out of it and mix it in with their food. Sit back and watch them gobble the lot to make sure they get their full dose of protection!

For those of you with particularly finickity felines, here’s how to give worming treatment without the drama. 

What else should I know about worming treatments?

If you take your dog on holiday, you’ll need to make sure that their worming treatment is up-to-date.

When returning back to the UK, a local vet must confirm tapeworm treatment has been administered. This must be recorded in your pet’s Pet Passport.

Worms pose a serious health risk to your pet, but it’s not all doom and gloom. As you now know, they’re easily preventable with regular worming treatment.

We’re here to help

We’re a dab hand at slaying worms, if we do say so ourselves! The pet wellness pros in our customer service team are ready to support with any advice you might need. Drop our team a message 8am-10pm or call us on 020 3370 0905 Mon to Fri 8am-4pm.