How can I prevent my cat from getting worms?

There is really no way to prevent worms. And it only takes one bite from an infected flea to start tapeworm all over again. The only thing that is really effective on fleas is Revolution and Advantage Multi - from the vet (prescription only). These things will also kill roundworm and hookworm as well as prevent fleas. They will not, however kill nor prevent tapeworm. Garlic does not prevent fleas, and the dose you'd need to give a cat is potentially toxic. There are two kinds of tapeworms - the most common one is from flea bites, which the Revolution or Advantage Multi will prevent. There is another type they can get from eating an infected mouse - nothing will prevent that. It's best to take an outdoor cat to the vet periodically so that they can be dewormed properly and safely. That's one of the things you need to accept when you allow your cat outdoors.

She needs to be on monthly frontline/stronghold for the fleas. If you see one or two she could have loads and loads. Fleas burrow and run away from you as you start to look. And, they make the cat anemic and quite ill with blood loss. Frontline is effective for fleas and ticks NOT worms. Fleas and worms are different animals so you would have to do a wormer in addition.

Flea infestations are terrible so do treat for the fleas. And if she's outside she will need worm protection too. I get cheap liquid wormer from the pet store to use several times a year and then worm with an expensive drontal from the vet once a year that covers broadly all the worms but is very strong. I have not seen that the natural remedies actually work to the same degree of effectiveness as the real stuff.

First of all, DON'T give your cat garlic. Garlic is toxic to cats.

There are several different types of worms that your cat could have. Stomach worms, roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms are the most common; and all are gastrointestinal parasites. The products intended to kill fleas or ticks have no effect on worms (other than heart worms, but that's a different story and is not the kind of worm we are talking about). About 45% percent of all cats in the US will at some time in their life suffer from worms, whether the cat is indoors or outdoors.

Cats can infected with roundworms by ingesting its eggs or by eating rodents that have larvae in their tissues. It is also possible to become infected by drinking contaminated water, licking contaminated fur or paws, or eating infected soil. Roundworms are known to cause life-threatening problems in kittens. Cats become infected with tapeworms by ingesting infected fleas while grooming or by eating infected rodents. Stomach worms are caused by the cat eating insects.

A vet will examine the cat's feces, and determine what kind of worm it has and the specific medicine needed to kill the worm. The vet has much stronger medications that the over-the-counter de-worming medicines. He usually only needs to give the cat one tablet and will usually administer the medicine to the cat himself, and it gets the job done easily.

There is really no sure-fire way to "prevent" worms. You need to take the cat to the vet about every 4 months, and have him de-wormed as a preventative measure. There are over-the-counter de-worming medications you can buy, but to me their administration is a hassel I don't want to go through. I just take the cat to the vet every few months, and let him do it.

No, garlic is toxic to cats.

Apply a topical flea treatment like advantage/frontline/revolution. Do not keep giving her flea baths. That shampoo isn't effective and can make a cat sick if used too frequently.

You won't see the flea eggs. They are too small. The cat will groom herself and ingest them. But the topical ointment would solve your problem.

Cats groom a lot and if she swallow ONE flea she can get tapeworms - that is the only way she can get the tapeworms even if you don't see a flea on her.

By keeping her inside only, treating her for fleas, and check up/testing by a vet is the only way to prevent them. When you let her outside to roam unsupervised she can still have contact with other animals, still get fleas and still have a worm problem.

It's because she's outside, and eats things that you don't know she's eating. That's where the parasites are coming from. Worms don't come from fleas or ticks.

Make no mistake, cats are highly skilled murdering machines when they're alone outdoors. Ever see that critter cam video that went viral online? Cats are brutally vicious hunters. Think twice about kissing Woogums on the lips.....

You give her a worming tablet every few weeks, as per your vet's instructions.