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My kitten has bloody stool. Should I use OTC dewormer or see vet?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Bombay | Male | unneutered | 2 months and 19 days old | 1lb

Is there an OTC dewormer you recommend, or simply to purchase one through our vet? (My kitten has blood in her stool and has had no preventative medication or supplements. I found an answer on Petco Pet Education Center that suggests it’s likely internal parasites.)

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Jenny, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on September 20th, 2017

parasite such as worms are a possibility, but there can also be bacteria such as coccidia that can cause that too. Any vet or pet store sells general dewormers over the counter. The most common options contain an ingredient such as pyrantel. If you can find one that contains praziquantel, this will cover tapeworms also. Your vet can check a stool sample to verify what parasites, if any, are found.

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    Answered By Linda G, MS, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on August 11th, 2020

    Hello. I am positive that your daughter did not see hookworms as they are almost microscopic. Most likely she way tape worm segments. If this is the case, you can purchase Bayer wormer for tapeworms at Petco & administer according to the label directions. This may take care of the blood, but I would still take a stool sample to your veterinarian for a stool analysis just in case there are other parasites present. An occasional bit of blood in the stool of cats is not uncommon, as a firmer stool can irritate the lining of the colon or even break a few capillaries. If the stool analysis does not show anything else, & worming with the Bayer tapeworm medication does not eliminate the blood, you should have Pebble's evaluated by your veterinarian to make sure there is nothing else going on with her. It takes a special test to look for other parasites like Tritrichomonas. You may also want to add a probiotic to her diet, such as Proviable or FortiFlora, both available at Petco. You will just sprinkle a little on her food daily. Your veterinarian might also recommend changing her to a higher fiber food like Hill's w/d, but this needs to come from your veterinarian. Hopefully, one of these will help to clear up the blood. Thanks for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

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