Worming Treatment
Cost UK
Worming treatment costs £5 to £15 per dose in the UK in 2026. Dogs should be wormed every 3 months and cats every 3-6 months. Online retailers offer the same products for 30-50% less than vet prices.
What You Will Pay
Intestinal worms (roundworm, tapeworm, hookworm, whipworm) and lungworm are common parasites in UK dogs and cats. Regular worming protects your pet and your family — roundworm can be transmitted to humans, particularly children.
| Component | Typical Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Milbemax/Milpro (dogs, per tablet) | £5 – £10 | Covers roundworm, tapeworm, hookworm |
| Drontal (dogs, per tablet) | £4 – £8 | Roundworm, tapeworm, whipworm |
| Milbemax (cats, per tablet) | £4 – £8 | Roundworm, tapeworm, lungworm |
| Advocate (monthly spot-on) | £8 – £15 | Fleas + lungworm + roundworm |
| Panacur (5-day course) | £8 – £15 | Broad-spectrum, used for Giardia too |
| Online retailer (per dose) | £3 – £8 | Same products, prescription required |
Drontal tablet from an online retailer
Milbemax from the vet for a medium dog
monthly lungworm prevention (Advocate)
Factors That Affect
the Price
Dog size
Larger dogs need larger (or multiple) tablets, increasing cost per dose. A Milbemax tablet for a small dog costs £5-£7 while a large dog dose costs £8-£10.
Worming frequency
Standard recommendation is every 3 months for adult dogs and cats. However, dogs at high risk of lungworm (those that eat slugs and snails) need monthly prevention with Advocate or Milbemax, increasing annual costs.
Vet vs online pricing
The same products cost 30-50% less from online retailers. A year's supply of Milbemax from your vet costs £30-£40 versus £15-£25 online with a prescription.
Combination products
Products like Advocate (monthly spot-on for fleas, lungworm, and roundworm) combine flea and worm prevention. While more expensive per dose, they replace separate flea and worm products, potentially saving money overall.
How to Save Money
Buy online with a prescription
Ask your vet for a prescription (max £21) and buy worming tablets online. On an annual supply, you'll typically save £15-£25 even after the prescription fee.
Use combination products
Advocate covers fleas, roundworm, and lungworm in one monthly application. This can be cheaper than buying separate flea and worm products.
Worm on schedule
Sticking to the recommended 3-month worming schedule prevents heavy worm burdens that can cause illness requiring vet treatment (£100-£300). Prevention is always cheaper than cure.
Weigh your pet accurately
Worming tablets are dosed by weight. An accurate weight ensures you buy the right size tablet and don't waste money on oversized doses.
Would insurance have covered this?
On a typical lifetime policy an owner pays the excess (usually £60–£200) and, on some policies, 10–20% of the rest. Pre-existing conditions are never covered, so the time to compare is before something goes wrong.
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VetBox Flea & Worm Protection for Dogs
Vet-founded monthly parasite subscription. Flea, tick and worm protection delivered to your door. Founded by Dr Will Woodley, protecting 30,000+ pets.
Itch Worming Treatment for Dogs
Vet-approved worming tablets delivered on schedule. No more forgetting treatments. Personalised to your dog.
Wormers for Dogs
Drontal, Milbemax, Panacur and generic wormers for dogs. Dispensed by a UK registered pharmacy.
We may earn a small commission if you purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Worming tablets cost £5-£15 per dose from the vet, or £3-£8 from online retailers. Annual worming costs £20-£60 depending on product and frequency. Monthly lungworm prevention costs £60-£120 per year.
Adult dogs should be wormed at least every 3 months (4 times per year). Dogs at risk of lungworm need monthly prevention. Puppies need worming every 2 weeks until 12 weeks old, then monthly until 6 months.
Adult cats should be wormed every 3-6 months. Outdoor cats and those that hunt should be wormed every 3 months. Indoor-only cats may only need worming every 6 months. Kittens follow the same schedule as puppies.
Some basic wormers (Drontal for dogs) are available over the counter from pet shops. However, prescription-only products (Milbemax, Advocate) require a vet prescription and tend to be more effective and broader-spectrum.
Yes. Toxocara (roundworm) can be transmitted from dogs and cats to humans, particularly children, causing toxocariasis which can affect vision. Regular worming of pets and good hygiene (hand washing, cleaning up faeces promptly) prevents transmission.
Compare worming treatment prices
Find the best prices on worming products from local vets and online retailers.