Worms, fleas and ticks: protecting your pet all year

Why prevention matters

Parasites cause itching, anaemia, diarrhoea and poor growth, and some worms can pass to people, especially children. Prevention is far easier than treatment.

Puppies and kittens

• First deworming dose at 2 weeks old.
• Repeat every 2 weeks until regular monthly prevention starts.
• If regular prevention isn’t kept up: every 2 weeks until 2 months old, then monthly until 6 months.
• Stool tests 2–4 times in the first year.

Adult pets

• Regular protection against worms, fleas and ticks all year round, not just in summer.
• A stool test once or twice a year, depending on your pet’s lifestyle.
• Your vet picks the right product (tablet, spot-on or collar) for your pet’s species and weight; some dog products are toxic to cats.

Signs that need a check-up

• Constant scratching or hair loss.
• Worms, or small rice-like pieces, in the stool or around the bottom.
• Repeated diarrhoea or a pot belly in young animals.
• Pale gums or unusual tiredness.