Drontal: Why worming your pet matters

By making regular worming a priority for your dog or cat, you not only enhance their well-being but also play a role in protecting your family's health.

Spring, famous for its blooming flowers and increased outdoor activities with loved ones, also presents potential risks to our pets while they spend time outdoors. Staying alert to these dangers is key to ensuring a safe and enjoyable season for everyone. A fundamental part of caring for your pet's health during this period involves guarding them against intestinal parasites. By making regular worming a priority for your dog or cat, you not only enhance their well-being but also play a role in protecting your family's health.

 
Even though intestinal worms like tapeworms and roundworms might not be visible, they should never be overlooked. These parasites can impact cats and dogs across all age groups, frequently without showing clear signs. While some pets may exhibit symptoms such as itching, vomiting, or diarrhoea, severe infections can render them weak and lethargic. Moreover, certain worms can transmit diseases to humans. Hence, regular treatment is essential to protect the health of your entire family.

How do cats and dogs get worms?  

There are many ways in which pets can become infected by worms – and outdoors is where they are likely to pick them up. Roundworm eggs are shed in the faeces of infected animals, which contaminate grass and soil, particularly in high-traffic areas such as parks or gardens. Your pet can then accidentally ingest these eggs when exploring and become infected. Other sources of worms include unprocessed raw meat from scavenging infected wildlife, and swallowing fleas harbouring tapeworm infection while grooming.

So when should I worm my pet?  

Most of us know that intestinal worms can cause serious health problems, but just how often should you worm your pet? Recent guidelines suggest that the majority of UK dogs and cats should be wormed as often as once a month*, based on lifestyle factors like scavenging, spending time outdoors off-lead and close contact with children or the elderly**. But it’s easy to do with the Drontal and Dronspot, a tasty bone tablet for dogs and a easy to use spot-on treatment for cats.  

*Survey of UK pet owners quantifying internal parasite infection risk and deworming recommendation implications. Pennelegion et al. Parasites Vectors 13, 218 (2020).

**ESCCAP Guideline Worm Control in Dogs and Cats.

*** Commonly found in UK dogs and cats.