Okay, so, I’ve got this cat, right? And it had worms. Not fun. I really didn’t want to pump it full of chemicals, so I did some digging and found out about this stuff called diatomaceous earth. People online were saying it’s a natural dewormer, so I thought, why not give it a shot?
First, I made sure to get the food-grade kind. Apparently, there are different types, and you gotta be careful. The food-grade stuff is safe for pets. It comes as a fine, white powder. I think it’s a kind of dirt, like fossils and little sea creatures.
- Started with a small dose: My cat’s a little guy, so I began with just 1/4 teaspoon of the diatomaceous earth.
- Mixed it with his wet food: He’s not a picky eater, thankfully. I just stirred it into his food, and he gobbled it up like usual.
- Gradually increased the dose: After a few days, I bumped it up to 1/2 teaspoon. I kept it there for the treatment.
- Kept this up for two weeks: I read online that you need to keep this up for at least two weeks to make sure you get all the worms and any eggs that might hatch.
Honestly, it was pretty easy. I didn’t notice any weird side effects or anything. My cat seemed totally fine. But the best part? It worked! After the two weeks, no more worms.
What I figured out:
- Diatomaceous earth is basically made of tiny, sharp particles. These particles don’t harm us or our pets, but they mess up the worms’ outsides.
- I kept him on the diatomaceous earth for a full 30 days for roundworms, whipworms, or hookworms. 30 to 45 days for tape worms and 90 days for lung worms. They say it’s because of the worms’ life cycles. You gotta catch any eggs that hatch after the first round.
- Mixing it in the food helps the cat (or any animal, really) absorb nutrients better.
I’m definitely sticking with diatomaceous earth for deworming. It’s natural, it’s safe, and it actually works. Way better than those harsh chemical treatments, in my opinion. But you know what, if your cat is really sick, the best action is take it to a vet. If you’re ever unsure about something, it’s always best to just ask your vet. They know best! Also, I found that using pumpkin seeds and apple cider vinegar are also natural ways to help pets get rid of worms. I’m going to give it a try next time.