How often should I worm my cat in the UK?

Most adult cats in the UK are wormed every three months. Cats that hunt, roam outdoors or are fed raw food are often wormed monthly, because they keep re-infecting themselves through prey.

How often should kittens be wormed?

Kittens are typically wormed every two weeks from around three weeks old until eight or nine weeks, then monthly until six months old, before moving to the adult routine.

Can I use dog wormer on a cat?

No. Never give a cat a product licensed for dogs. Some dog parasite products contain permethrin, which is highly toxic to cats and can be fatal. Always use a product labelled for cats and dosed to your cat's weight.

Guide · Parasites

Cat worming schedule (UK)

Worming a cat is easy to forget because nothing visible happens when it works. Here is the usual UK pattern for kittens, adult cats, hunters and indoor-only cats — and the one safety rule that matters most.

Last reviewed: 8 September 2026

In short

Kittens are typically wormed every two weeks from three to nine weeks old, then monthly to six months. Most adult cats are wormed every three months, and monthly if they hunt. Never use a dog product on a cat.

Kitten worming timings

Kittens commonly pick up roundworm from their mother's milk, so the first weeks need frequent treatment. Ask the breeder or rescue what was given and on which dates — that determines when the next dose is due, not the day you brought them home.

Typical UK kitten worming intervals
Age	How often	Notes
3–9 weeks	Every 2 weeks	Usually roundworm; breeder or rescue starts this
2–6 months	Monthly	Vet-recommended cat product, dosed by weight
6 months+	Every 3 months	Adult routine begins

Adult cats

Three-monthly worming is the standard baseline for an adult cat in the UK, covering roundworm and tapeworm. Monthly treatment is often advised for cats that hunt birds and rodents, roam widely, are fed raw food, or live with young children. Tapeworm is frequently carried by fleas, so a cat with a flea problem usually needs both treatments rather than one.

Doses are set by weight. Weigh your cat, or get them weighed at the practice, rather than reusing last year's pack size — cats change weight far more than owners expect.

Do indoor cats need worming?

Less often, but not never. Fleas can be carried indoors on clothing, mice find their way into houses, and roundworm eggs travel on shoes. Two to four treatments a year is a common recommendation for an indoor-only adult cat — your vet will tailor it to your household, especially if there is a dog that goes outside.

Never use a dog product on a cat

Some dog spot-on parasite treatments contain permethrin, which cats cannot metabolise. It is highly toxic to them and can be fatal, and cases usually happen by accident — a spare dog pipette used on the cat, or a cat grooming a freshly treated dog. Keep the products separate, read the label every time, and phone your vet immediately if a cat is exposed.

Keeping track without a wall calendar

Worming has no vaccination card, so for most owners there is no record at all. Log the date and the product each time you treat, and set the next date in the same moment. Pawfile creates the next worming reminder automatically on a 91-day cycle, alongside flea treatment and boosters, so the whole parasite routine sits on one timeline.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. Vaccination protocols vary by country, brand of vaccine and your pet's individual risk. Always follow the schedule your own vet recommends. Pawfile is an admin tool for keeping those records and reminders organised — it does not diagnose or treat.

Common questions

How often should I worm my cat in the UK?: Most adult cats in the UK are wormed every three months. Cats that hunt, roam outdoors or are fed raw food are often wormed monthly, because they keep re-infecting themselves through prey.
Do indoor cats need worming?: Yes, though usually less often. Indoor cats can still pick up worms from fleas, from mice that get into the house, and from soil brought in on shoes. Many vets suggest treating an indoor-only adult cat two to four times a year.
How often should kittens be wormed?: Kittens are typically wormed every two weeks from around three weeks old until eight or nine weeks, then monthly until six months old, before moving to the adult routine.
Can I use dog wormer on a cat?: No. Never give a cat a product licensed for dogs. Some dog parasite products contain permethrin, which is highly toxic to cats and can be fatal. Always use a product labelled for cats and dosed to your cat's weight.

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