What’s the best treatment for fleas and worms in pets?

Key takeaways

• You can get flea and worm treatments from the vet and from pet stores

• Only use flea and worm treatments specifically designed for your pet's breed and size

• Fleas and worms are contagious so if one of your pets has them you should also treat your other pets

What are the symptoms of flea and worm infestations in pets?  

Flea and worms are quite different and you can recognise which one your pet has from the following:  

Symptoms of fleas:  

• Excessive scratching, chewing and biting  

• Dark brown or black specks / droppings on the fur  

• Hair loss, sored or scabs  

• Red or irritated skin  

• Flea bites on you or other members in the house  

• Noticeable difference in your pet’s mood  

Symptoms of worms:  

• Worms, eggs or blood in their faeces  

• Diarrhoea  

• Worms in their fur, specially around their ear  

• Worms in their vomit  

• Scooting their rear ends on the ground  

• Dull coat  

• Weight loss  

If your pet is experiencing severe symptoms, it’s always a good idea to book a visit to see the vet who can give you professional advice and a prescription suited to your cat or dog based on their medical history.

A vet will also be able to check if your pet has any more serious health problems and provide treatment for these.

What’s the best treatment for fleas and worms?

The best option for you will depend on your pet and its medical history.

Your vet can give you guidance on which is most suitable for your cat or dog. For example, some treatment options may not be suitable for pets with medical conditions. They can also give you advice on the most effective treatment, the average cost you can expect to pay, and the easiest way to apply the medicine.

Flea and worm treatments can be applied in a number of different ways. You can choose from the following:

• Spot-on: you will need to apply this treatment to your pet’s skin, usually at the back of the head or neck. They come in small vials of liquid which you snap open and then administer.

• Tablets: tablets can be given to your pet, and they are usually small hard pills which can be hidden in food or you may be able to buy them in a chewable form.

• Paste or liquid: if you find it hard giving your pet tablets, a liquid or paste can be put straight into your pet’s mouth or into their food.

• Collars: you can also buy collars to help prevent and remove fleas and worms.

It’s important to give your cat or dog the correct treatment as some products may be suitable for certain dog breeds, for example, but could be toxic if given to others.

🚩 Some flea treatment for dogs contain permethrin, which is toxic for cats.

Treatment for fleas and worms will also be different depending on your pet’s age, and things like if it’s pregnant or nursing. Some products won’t be suitable to give to very young animals, for example, so it’s worth speaking to your vet if you’re unsure.

How often should I treat my pet for fleas and worms? 

This will depend on the products you are using and your pet’s health. How often you should use the treatments will be listed on the instructions on the packaging.

Usually you will need to treat for fleas around once a month. Worming, on the other hand, is recommended to be treated around once every three months. In severe cases, such as with lungworm in dogs, your vet will provide advice on the type of medication to give and how often this needs to be administered.

The time scale in which you use these treatments will also depend on things like dog breeds, if your pet has any pre-existing conditions or other health conditions, and their particular lifestyle.  

Where can I buy treatment for fleas and worms?

There are lots of different treatments available to prevent and remove fleas and worms. These aren’t included on most pet insurance policies so you’ll need to pay for these.

You can either get prescription treatment, from your vet, or you can buy an over-the-counter treatment from somewhere like a pet shop or supermarket.

What are fleas and worms? 

Fleas and worms are both parasites that can infest pets. 

Fleas are very small wingless insects that feed on the blood of animals. Fleas can be quite problematic for pets as they can transmit tapeworms to pets, they also can cause a number of problems for your pet including, itching, scratching, and hair loss in some cases.  

Worms are different from fleas, and they are internal parasites that live in the intestines of animals. There are a number of different types of worms including tapeworms and hookworms. Worms can cause a variety of health issues for your pet including, vomiting, diarrhoea, anaemia, and weight loss.  

Both fleas and worms can be treated with medication and aren’t usually seen as serious medical conditions but the cost of this isn’t usually covered by cat or dog insurance.

How do pets catch fleas and worms?  

It's really easy and common for your pet to pick up fleas, whether it's in your garden or while you’re out for a walk, or when they come into contact with another pet that has fleas.

With worms, pets can pick them up in a variety of ways including from other infected animals, ingesting worm eggs or larvae, eating infected prey or raw meat, or from their mother before birth. 

Do I need to treat my other pets if one has fleas or worms?

Yes, if one pet has fleas you will also need to treat other animals in your home for fleas or worms. Both of these health issues are contagious so even if you can’t see signs of another cat or dog having them, it is safest to treat them if they’re in the same house.

However, you may not be able to use the same treatment on different animals so always check with a vet first.

Do I need to treat my home for fleas and worms?

If your pet has fleas, then you will also need to treat your home to get rid of them. Fleas can live from between 14 days to a year, according to the RSPCA, and a female can lay up to 50 eggs in one day, so it’s important to act quickly.

• Wash pet bedding: you will need to wash your pet’s bedding, or anywhere they regularly sleep, on a hot wash of at least 60C to kill any fleas or eggs within the material.

• Hoover and thoroughly clean: as soon as you notice a problem get cleaning, especially carpets, floors and skirting boards to remove as many fleas as possible.

• Empty the hoover: the contents of your hoover might contain fleas or eggs so remove this from your house.

• Consider home treatments: there are a range of products, from sprays to shampoos, you can use in your home to remove these infestations.

• Call a specialist: if you have a severe infestation and the steps above aren’t having an impact you may want to consider booking a specialist to come to your home.

Can I prevent flea and worm infestations?

While fleas and worms are very common in pets, there are some steps you can take to reduce the risk of your pet getting an infestation, including:  

• Regular preventative medication  

• Taking your pet for routine check-ups at the vet

• Ensure their pet bowls are regularly washed thoroughly with pet-safe disinfectant  

• Ensure you dispose of their faeces right away  

• Limit contact with other pets  

• Regularly groom your pet to check for eggs or dropping in their fur  

• Wash your hands if you suspect any type of infestation (especially before eating), worms are easily transmitted to humans, especially to children  

Does pet insurance cover flea and worm treatment? 

Pet insurance does not usually cover preventative or routine treatments including for fleas and worms. 

It is an annual policy designed to cover unexpected events up to an annual limit, and things like regular check-ups, vaccinations, getting your pet microchipped, spaying and neutering, or vet fees usually won’t be included.

Some pet owners choose payment plans, which work in a similar way to pet insurance policies and cover all of vet bills for a set time, usually a year. These spread out the cost of fees for things like vaccinations and regular treatments into monthly payments so you’re not faced with big one-off bills at regular check-ups.

However, while they are similar in some ways to pet insurance policies, they aren’t the same thing and usually won’t cover larger vet bills, such as if your pet needs an operation or treatment for chronic conditions.

This is why many pet owners choose pet insurance for the peace of mind in knowing they won’t face expensive vet bills if a cat or dog needs to be treated.

Where can I find affordable pet insurance?

There are several different types of pet insurance, such as accident-only pet cover which is usually the cheapest option, a multi-pet policy if you have more than one pet, and also lifetime pet cover, which providers the highest-level of cover.

Insurance providers paid out £1.23 billion last year in claims, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), and many people buy it for the peace of mind of knowing they will receive a pay out to cover high vet bills if their pet is injured or falls ill.

Costs vary considerably with pet insurance because there are lots of insurance providers offering policies so it’s important to compare prices and insurance premiums.

When you compare pet insurance quotes, you will be asked to choose the type of cover you require and if you want to add any extras to your policy. You will also need to list some details about your cat or dog including the pet’s age, and if it has any pre-existing medical conditions. The annual or monthly price you’re quoted will reflect this. You can find out more information in our pet insurance guides.