Reviewed by Dr. Melissa Witherell, DVM
There’s no FDA-approved treatment for feline heartworm disease, which makes heartworm prevention for cats essential. Heartworm is a parasite transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Once a cat is infected, the parasite spreads through their body via the blood, causing inflammation and damage as it goes. Treatment is tricky for cats and the complications related to heartworm disease can be fatal, so prevention is key.
Here are some factors to consider when buying heartworm prevention for cats:
Compared to dogs, cats aren’t considered ideal hosts for heartworm. That doesn’t mean that cats are immune to infection. Talk to your vet about the best heartworm prevention option for your cat, and whether they recommend conducting a heartworm test first. Consistency is key when it comes to heartworm prevention for cats, so use Chewy’s Autoship to keep your supply steady.
Heartworm prevention is very important because cats can become infected through mosquito bites, even if they live indoors. Since there is no approved treatment for heartworm disease in cats, veterinarians recommend consistent prevention to help protect against infection.
The best way to protect your cat from heartworms is by using a veterinarian-recommended heartworm preventive year-round according to the product directions. Regular veterinary checkups and staying on schedule with monthly prevention help provide ongoing protection.
Yes. Mosquitoes can enter homes through open doors, windows, and garages, which means indoor cats can still be exposed to heartworms. Many veterinarians recommend year-round heartworm prevention for both indoor and outdoor cats.
No. While all approved heartworm preventives are designed to help prevent heartworm disease, many products differ in the additional parasites they cover. Depending on the formula, they may also help protect against fleas, ear mites, or intestinal worms, so your veterinarian can help you choose the right option for your cat.
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