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Cats/My indoor cats keep getting worms.

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Expert: - 5/7/2007


Question
Hi I have 4 indoor only cats They have all been brought in as strays over a 4 year period, about 1 new kitty a year. It seems like we get fleas and worms every year. They are indoor cats only, I am very strict with keeping them inside. The fleas I can understand, I either bring them in on myself or just didn't get rid of them as good as I thought I did the year before, (I have to be a little careful with my Main Coon and flea products, he has very sensitive skin) So I start treating them with Advantage as soon as the weather starts turning warm. The worms I do not get, Every year one of them hacks up a hair ball, I go to clean it up and find these long really gross worms. I treat them all for worms but where do they keep getting them? They don't eat people food, I use a mixture of an indoor cat food and a kitten food both dry (the baby is 7 months old the oldest is 6). After the pet food recalls I have been scared to feed wet food so they haven't had any at all this year. I just don't get where these worms are coming from. Help Please.

Answer
Hi Stacy,

Cats like yours usually get worms from flea bites. I think what is happening is that their are fleas somewhere that are reinfecting the cats. I would start the flea medicine a little earlier than you do now. Maybe a month or so earlier. Also when you vacuum place a flea collar in the vacuum bag. When it sucks up any fleas or eggs this will kill them. Try these two things and see what happens. Good luck.

Ciao, Karen

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Karen Craft

Expertise

I can give advice on cat behavior. I can help about newborn kitten care. I can help with senior cat care. I can answer questions about cat proofing a home or making it cat friendly. I can answer diet questions. I can answer home treatments questions for cats. At present I have 13 cats in home and two ferals outside. And there's always room for one more!

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I have over 40 year's experience with cats. Father was a veterinarian and I assisted him in his work. I have 15 cats at present. Most are shelter or feral rescues. I have one purebred cat. I have done cat rescues and foster care. Some thoughts to carry with you. A Cat's 10 Commandments My life is likely to last 15-20 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful. Give me time to understand what you want of me. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainments. But I have only you. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it. Before you swat me, before you strike me, remember that I have teeth that could draw blood. And claws to strike back. And yet I choose not to attack you. If I don't act right then have me checked to see what is wrong. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too will grow old. On the difficult journey, on the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there. Because I love you so. Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them. Life would be a much duller, less joyful thing without God's critters. Pass this on.

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I have an A.A.S.

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