how often do you need to worm feral cats

i was wondering how often feral cats should be wormed?

atasborn69 said:

i was wondering how often feral cats should be wormed?

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I'll move this to the Caring for Strays and Ferals forum. Someone there might have a better idea.

I read somewhere that every three months or so is good. I would guess it depends on whether the cats eat mice or other wildlife. If they've been wormed and only eat cat food, I am not sure if there's a need. Maybe if they can get worms from other cat's waste? But even then, that might only happen if they share a litter box, which most ferals don't do.

Good question. I'll be interested in seeing what others have to add.

Ondine said:

I read somewhere that every three months or so is good. I would guess it depends on whether the cats eat mice or other wildlife. If they've been wormed and only eat cat food, I am not sure if there's a need. Maybe if they can get worms from other cat's waste? But even then, that might only happen if they share a litter box, which most ferals don't do.

Good question. I'll be interested in seeing what others have to add.

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Yes, three month is what they say. But Im not sure, successful semiferales do have some natural ability to manage, a small amount of worms dont bother them much.. And interesting enough, they often dont get more than small amounts, it seems to be a balance of sorts.   So what they really need, is a good question.

The easy answer is to do it individually. A caretaker who follows her herd, and have some working contact with them, can surely see what deworming is needed, and what is not necessary.

But otherwise?  As a rule of thumb??

Comment.  I heard lately, they discovered worms in humans has some positive effects. I dont remember at this moment what it was. Perhaps they help with immunity against  allergies.   Something such...

So although parasites, historically and developmentally they worms are also to see as partly symbiotics.

Perhaps it is so with these succesfull semiferales too??

Lets hope experienced colony caretakers do tune in!

My ferals don't do much hunting any more and usually only eat cat food.  With that said, on occasion they go on a monkey see monkey do spree where they bring me hone lots of "presents".  I try my best to worm at least once a year and twice if I notice lots of hunting.

I have used both homeopathic drops as well as Drontal that I order online.