All cats — indoor and outdoor — should be wormed regularly. Roundworms and tapeworms are the most common intestinal parasites in UK cats, and roundworm can be transmitted to humans (particularly children). Here is a guide to the most effective and affordable options.

How Often Should You Worm a Cat

The general recommendation is every 3 months for adult cats. Outdoor cats that hunt should be wormed monthly, as they are constantly reinfecting themselves by eating prey. Kittens need worming every 2 weeks from 3 weeks old until 8 weeks, then monthly until 6 months.

Prescription Wormers

  • Milbemax for Cats (milbemycin oxime + praziquantel): £5–£8 per dose from a vet, £3–£6 online. Covers roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, and prevents lungworm. Small tablet, easy to give.
  • Milpro for Cats (milbemycin oxime + praziquantel): £3–£5 per dose. Generic Milbemax. Same active ingredients, lower price.
  • Broadline Spot-On (fipronil + S-methoprene + eprinomectin + praziquantel): £7–£12 per dose. Prescription spot-on covering fleas, ticks, roundworms, tapeworms, and lungworm. Good for cats that will not take tablets.

Non-Prescription Wormers

  • Drontal for Cats (praziquantel + pyrantel): £3–£6 per dose. Covers roundworms and tapeworms. The most widely used non-prescription cat wormer.
  • Prazitel for Cats (same ingredients as Drontal): £1.50–£3 per dose. Generic equivalent. Same coverage, significantly cheaper.
  • Panacur (fenbendazole): £4–£8 per course. Available as granules to mix with food. Covers roundworms and some lungworm species. Often used for kittens.

Indoor vs Outdoor Cats

Even indoor cats can pick up worms — from contaminated shoes, other pets, or fleas (which carry tapeworm larvae). However, indoor cats are at much lower risk and quarterly worming with a basic product like Prazitel is usually sufficient.

Outdoor hunting cats need monthly worming with a broad-spectrum product. Milbemax or Milpro given monthly is the most common recommendation. Alternatively, Broadline spot-on provides combined flea and worm cover in a single monthly application.

Lungworm in Cats

Feline lungworm (Aelurostrongylus abstrusus) is less commonly discussed than canine lungworm but does occur in the UK, particularly in outdoor cats that hunt. Milbemax, Milpro, and Broadline all provide lungworm coverage. Standard Drontal does not.

Annual Cost Comparison

For an adult indoor cat wormed quarterly:

  • Prazitel: £6–£12/year (cheapest)
  • Drontal: £12–£24/year
  • Milbemax: £20–£32/year from vet, £12–£24 online
  • Milpro: £12–£20/year

For an outdoor hunting cat wormed monthly, multiply by 3.

Tips for Difficult Cats

Many cats are notoriously difficult to tablet. Options include:

  • Spot-on wormers: Broadline or Profender (applied to the back of the neck)
  • Pill pockets: Hide the tablet in a Dreamies pill pocket or small piece of cheese
  • Pill poppers: A syringe-like device that places the tablet at the back of the throat
  • Crushing: Some wormers can be crushed and mixed with food — check the product leaflet first

Last updated: March 2026. Prices based on UK veterinary and retail data. Consult your vet about the right worming schedule for your cat.