Do Indoor Cats Need to be Wormed?

[MrsBertMacklin]

Would be glad of some advice on this, please.

When I collected BertCat from the RSPCA, they advised me that flea treatments were necessary, because although there was a reduced flea risk, I might bring fleas back with me if I came into contact with another cat.

They also told me that worming was not necessary, as worms are only picked up from infected stools. She had been wormed by them before being given to me, due to being in the cattery with her brothers and sisters, but they clearly told me that routine worming was not necessary.

Has anyone received advice to the contrary on this for their indoor cat? I'm just thinking ahead, as she's going to be in a cattery next month and I would hate to give them a wormy cat (and am mindful that the RSPCA also gave me duff advice about the intervals between first and second vaccinations, meaning I had to do the whole lot again).

[cozietoesie]

I worm my indoor cats although not as frequently as an outside-going and/or hunting cat. I think their risk of exposure is much reduced but I don't think it's zero. After all, who is to say that you won't pick up something while gardening or walking over something in the street?

[RainbowFlutterby]

RainbowCat is wormed once or twice a year and he never goes out. Prevention is better than cure and all that.

[cozietoesie]

PS - and can you be absolutely certain that you've never had a rodent in your home? Most houses in Britain have or have had mice at some point and you might have an indoor boy who is happily hunting in your living room while you're out for the afternoon. I know that even Seniorboy, for example, has a few notches on his belt when looking back to his younger days.

[MrsBertMacklin]

Thank you. I'm inclined to err on the side of caution as well, especially before and after her cattery stays this summer.