How Often Do Dogs and Cats Need Deworming?
Puppies and kittens are dewormed every few weeks at first; for adults, common practice ranges from quarterly dosing to risk-based plans built on stool tests.
Intestinal parasites are most dangerous to the very young, so puppies and kittens start deworming early — typically every two to three weeks through the first couple of months, since many are born already carrying roundworms passed from the mother.
Adults: schedule by risk, not by habit
For adult pets, a frequently cited baseline is deworming around four times a year, but the sensible interval depends on exposure: dogs that hunt, scavenge, or visit parks daily, cats that go outdoors, raw-fed animals, and homes with young children may need more frequent coverage, while a strictly indoor cat may need less.
Stool exams once or twice a year sharpen the plan by showing what is actually present, and some monthly heartworm products already cover certain intestinal worms — overlapping doses is wasteful. Bring your pet’s lifestyle details to a veterinary consult and set an interval that fits that individual animal.
MediIndex articles are for general information only and are not medical advice, diagnosis, or advertising. Outcomes vary by individual — consult a board-certified specialist for personal decisions.