# Cat worming tablets - alternatives? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 17, 2019, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-worming-tablets-alternatives/827914 "2019-01-17T09:06:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sstylon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7c8e57/32.png) [@Sstylon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sstylon)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2019, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-worming-tablets-alternatives/827914/1 "2019-01-17T09:06:10Z")
After giving those to my 6 today - there is no way I am ever going to do it again. Who in their right mind thought of those tablets? The size of them, the way cats hate it? Surely there has to be some other way of worming the cats? All 6 cats are sulking and I am absolutely covered in very painful scratches all over. It was not easy, for me or for them. Any suggestions? I am NOT looking for ways/gadgets to give them tablets with - I am looking for an alternative to tablets. ---
**Author:** ![ZurBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/71e660/32.png) [@ZurBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZurBob)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2019, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-worming-tablets-alternatives/827914/2 "2019-01-17T10:52:26Z")
Profender by Bayer. It is a topical.and very easy to apply. Expensive at $35 a pop, but worth it. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2019, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-worming-tablets-alternatives/827914/3 "2019-01-17T10:57:08Z")
> [@ZurBob](#): > > Profender by Bayer. It is a topical.and very easy to apply. Expensive at $35 a pop, but worth it. Yup - just switched to Profender here. But if you’re also doing topical flea treatment you have to do them at least a week apart. Otherwise it’s very simple. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2019, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-worming-tablets-alternatives/827914/4 "2019-01-17T15:27:33Z")
Injectable praziquantel (suitable for dogs and cats) is effective against tapeworms, if you can get them to the vet. Not a home remedy, but if you are there anyway… ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2019, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-worming-tablets-alternatives/827914/5 "2019-01-17T16:02:43Z")
OP, can you clarify what kind of worms, and which tablets? (I’ve had mostly-indoor cats for years, but am unfamiliar with this medication.) ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2019, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-worming-tablets-alternatives/827914/6 "2019-01-17T17:29:17Z")
Food-grade, freshwater diatomaceous earth. Mix a teaspoon into some wet food. ---
**Author:** ![MDfive21](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecc23a/32.png) [@MDfive21](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MDfive21)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2019, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-worming-tablets-alternatives/827914/7 "2019-01-17T18:43:58Z")
we use a product called Pill Pockets for our dog. they make a version for cats. essentially it’s a treat with a space in the middle for the pill. just pop the pill in and squeeze the top together. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2019, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-worming-tablets-alternatives/827914/8 "2019-01-17T22:03:19Z")
There are pill guns that are use to pop a pill into a cats throat – much easier than doing it by hand. And seem to work better than hiding it in a pill pocket or inside some food. Alsso, nearly all wormer medications are available in a liquid version – you just put a measured amount in an eyedropper or syringe into the cats mount. Even if you miss and some drips oto their fur, they will end up licking it off. It’s flavored so that most cats like it.