# Drontal for Cats Instructions: How to Give It Safely Giving Drontal to a cat means placing the tablet directly in the mouth or hiding it in a small amount of food, using the exact dose your veterinarian calculated for your cat's weight. Most cats take the tablet without fasting, and you should watch your cat for a short time afterward to make sure the dose stays down. This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. ## Quick Answer - Give the tablet exactly as your veterinarian prescribes, based on your cat's weight and the parasites being treated. - You can pill your cat by hand, use a pill popper, or hide the tablet in a small amount of tasty food. - Fasting is usually not required for Drontal in cats, but follow your vet's specific instructions if they give any. - If your cat vomits soon after the dose, call your veterinarian before redosing. - If you miss a dose, give it when you remember unless your vet says otherwise, then return to the regular schedule. ## What Drontal Is and What Veterinarians Use It For Drontal is a deworming tablet for cats. It contains a combination of active ingredients that target common intestinal worms, including roundworms and tapeworms. Your veterinarian may prescribe it to treat an active infection or as part of a regular deworming plan. Cats pick up intestinal worms in several ways. Kittens can get roundworms from their mother's milk. Adult cats can get tapeworms by eating fleas during grooming or by eating infected prey such as mice. Because outdoor access, hunting, and flea exposure all raise the risk, your vet will ask about your cat's lifestyle when deciding how often to deworm. Drontal does not treat every parasite. It is not a flea product, and it does not treat ear mites or mange. If your cat has fleas, your veterinarian will recommend a separate flea control product. Topical products that combine ingredients such as fipronil, moxidectin, and praziquantel have been shown to be highly effective against certain feline external parasites, reaching full efficacy against ear mites, mange mites, and lice within a few days of a single application [1]. That is a different job from deworming, so your cat may need both types of treatment at the same time. ## How Drontal Works The ingredients in Drontal attack worms in different ways, which is why the combination covers more than one type of parasite. Praziquantel, one of the ingredients, damages tapeworms so the cat's body can clear them. The other ingredients act on roundworms and hookworms. Dewormers like this work on worms living in the gut. They do not prevent reinfection. If your cat keeps hunting or keeps picking up fleas, worms can come back, which is why repeat treatment and flea control matter. A field study of a deworming product containing febantel, pyrantel embonate, and praziquantel in dogs showed measurable reductions in fecal egg counts after treatment, which is how veterinarians judge whether a dewormer is working [2]. The same principle applies in cats: the goal is fewer worms and fewer eggs being shed. ## Drontal for Cats Instructions: Step by Step ### Step 1: Confirm the dose with your veterinarian Your veterinarian calculates the dose from your cat's body weight and the worms being treated. Do not split, guess, or reuse a dose from another pet. A dose that fits a large cat can be too much for a small one, and a dose that fits a kitten may not clear an adult cat's worms. If your cat's weight has changed since the last visit, ask before you give the next tablet. ### Step 2: Decide how you will give the tablet You have three main options. **Pilling by hand.** Hold your cat gently but firmly. Tilt the head up slightly, open the mouth at the corner, and place the tablet as far back on the tongue as you can. Close the mouth and stroke the throat or blow lightly on the nose to encourage swallowing. Follow with a small syringe of water or a spoon of wet food to help the tablet go down. **Pill popper.** A plastic pill popper lets you place the tablet at the back of the mouth without your fingers near the teeth. This is helpful for cats who nip. **Hiding in food.** Offer a small amount of wet food, plain cooked chicken, or a soft treat with the tablet inside. Use only a spoonful, not a full meal. If your cat eats the whole portion, you know the dose went in. If your cat eats around the tablet, you will find it in the bowl. If your cat struggles with oral medicine, ask your veterinarian for a demonstration. Vets can show you techniques that suit your cat and give you specific guidance for your situation [3]. The same skills used for other oral and topical medicines apply here, and our guide to [giving your cat allergy medication safely](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/skin-allergy-and-ear-care/how-to-give-cat-allergy-medication) walks through gentle restraint and pilling in more detail. ### Step 3: Watch your cat for a few minutes Stay with your cat for 10 to 15 minutes after the dose. If you hid the tablet in food, check the bowl and the floor. If your cat swallows the tablet and then vomits within a short time, the dose may not have been absorbed. ### Fasting rules Fasting is usually not needed before Drontal in cats. Some owners worry that food will block the medicine from working, but for most cats the tablet can be given with or without a small amount of food. If your veterinarian tells you to fast your cat, follow that instruction exactly, because it may relate to another procedure or a different medicine. Never withhold food from a cat for a long stretch without veterinary direction. Cats can become very ill if they stop eating. ### What to do if you miss a dose If you miss a dose, give it as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for the next one. Then skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not give two doses at once to catch up. If you are unsure, call your veterinarian's office and ask. They can tell you whether to wait or give the tablet now. ### What to do if your cat vomits the dose If your cat vomits within about an hour of taking the tablet, call your veterinarian. They will decide whether the dose was absorbed and whether it is safe to repeat. Do not give a second tablet on your own. Giving an extra dose can lead to side effects, and some cats vomit for reasons unrelated to the medicine. ## Common and Serious Side Effects Most cats tolerate Drontal well. Side effects, when they happen, are usually mild and short lived. The table below covers what owners most often see. | Side effect | How common or serious | What to do | |---|---|---| | Vomiting | Common and usually mild | Withhold food for a short time, offer water, and call your vet if it continues or the dose came back up | | Diarrhea | Common and usually mild | Keep water available and call your vet if it lasts more than a day or your cat seems unwell | | Drooling or lip smacking | Common right after pilling | Offer water or a small treat, this usually passes quickly | | Loss of appetite | Possible and usually short lived | Call your vet if your cat refuses food for more than 24 hours | | Lethargy | Possible and usually mild | Let your cat rest and call your vet if it is marked or lasts | | Allergic reaction (swelling, hives, trouble breathing) | Rare but serious | Treat as an emergency and go to a veterinary hospital right away | | Neurologic signs (wobbling, tremors, dilated pupils) | Rare but serious | Stop giving the medicine and contact your vet or poison control immediately | If your cat has a history of seizures or liver disease, tell your veterinarian before the first dose. They may choose a different product or adjust the plan. ## Who Should Not Take Drontal and Drug Interactions Drontal is not right for every cat. Your veterinarian may avoid it or choose another product if your cat: - Is pregnant or nursing, unless your vet specifically approves it - Is under the minimum age or weight listed for the product - Has liver or kidney disease - Has a known allergy to any ingredient in the tablet - Is already taking another dewormer or a medicine that interacts with it Tell your veterinarian about everything your cat takes, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter products, flea and tick treatments, and supplements. Some flea products and dewormers overlap in what they treat, and giving both without guidance can double up on the same ingredient. If your cat is being treated for another condition, bring the full list to the appointment. If your cat also needs other routine care, keep the visit calm. Our guide to [how to give your cat ear drops safely](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/pet-medication-guide/give-cat-ear-drops-safely) covers handling tips that work for tablets too, and [how to brush a cat's teeth safely](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/dental-care/how-to-brush-cat-teeth) shows how to build a low-stress routine around handling your cat's mouth. ## Overdose and When to Call Poison Control An overdose can happen if a cat eats several tablets, if two people in the house each give a dose, or if a cat gets into the package. Signs of overdose can include vomiting, drooling, wobbliness, tremors, and lethargy. These signs need prompt attention. If you think your cat took too much Drontal, call your veterinarian or a pet poison control hotline right away. Have the package with you so you can read the ingredients and the strength of each tablet. Tell the staff your cat's weight, how many tablets were involved, and when it happened. Do not wait for symptoms to appear before you call. If your cat is having trouble breathing, collapses, or has a seizure, go to the nearest emergency veterinary hospital now. Do not try to make your cat vomit at home unless a veterinarian tells you to. ## Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian This article gives general guidance only. Your cat's dose, schedule, and product choice depend on their weight, age, health history, and the parasites involved. Individual cases need a veterinarian who can examine your cat and review the full picture. Contact your veterinarian the same day if: - Your cat vomited the dose within an hour of taking it - Your cat has diarrhea or vomiting that lasts more than a day - Your cat refuses food for more than 24 hours - You are not sure whether the tablet went in - You gave two doses by mistake Go to an emergency clinic now if: - Your cat has trouble breathing, swelling of the face, or hives - Your cat collapses, has a seizure, or cannot stand - Your cat has severe tremors or seems disoriented Schedule a routine visit if: - You see worms in your cat's stool or around the tail area after treatment - Your cat keeps getting worms despite regular deworming - Your cat has fleas, because flea control is part of stopping tapeworms - You need a refill or a new weight-based dose ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Can I give Drontal to my cat without food? Yes, most cats can take the tablet with or without a small amount of food. Fasting is usually not required. If your veterinarian gives you specific instructions about food, follow those instead. ### What if my cat spits out the tablet? Check the floor, the bowl, and your cat's mouth for the tablet. If you find it, you can try again using a pill popper or a small amount of wet food. If you cannot tell whether the tablet was swallowed, call your veterinarian before giving another one. ### How long does it take for Drontal to work in cats? Dewormers like this begin working soon after the dose, and you may see dead worms in the stool or around the tail within a day or two. Full clearance depends on the type of worm and how heavy the infection was. Your veterinarian can tell you when to expect improvement. ### Can I give my cat Drontal if they are on flea treatment? Often yes, but it depends on which flea product you use. Some flea products also treat certain worms, so combining them without guidance can overlap. Tell your veterinarian exactly which flea product your cat receives and when it was last applied. ### Is Drontal safe for kittens? Some deworming products are approved for kittens above a certain age and weight, and others are not. Your veterinarian will check your kitten's age and weight and choose a product that fits. Never give an adult cat tablet to a kitten without veterinary direction. ## Related Articles - [How to Give Your Cat Allergy Medication Safely](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/skin-allergy-and-ear-care/how-to-give-cat-allergy-medication) - [How to Give Your Cat Ear Drops Safely](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/pet-medication-guide/give-cat-ear-drops-safely) - [How To Brush a Cat's Teeth Safely](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/dental-care/how-to-brush-cat-teeth) - [How to Safely Give Your Dog or Cat a Bath at Home](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/senior-and-chronic-care/safe-bathing-dog-cat-home) - [Cat Diarrhea Medicine: What's Safe to Give?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/digestive-and-urinary-care/cat-diarrhea-medicine-safe) - [Can You Give Your Cat Benadryl? Dosage and Safety Guide](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/pet-medication-guide/cat-benadryl-dosage-safety) - [Drontal for Cats: Dosage, Schedule, and How Often](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/parasitic-diseases/drontal-for-cats-dosage) - [Drontal for Cats: Side Effects and What to Expect](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/pet-medication-guide/drontal-for-cats-side-effects) - [How to Give a Cat Medicine: Tips, Tricks, and Food](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/pet-medication-guide/how-to-give-cat-medicine) ## References 1. [Efficacy of a single-dose topical formulation combining Fipronil, Moxidectin and Praziquantel against natural infestations of Notoedres cati, Otodectes cynotis and Felicola subrostratus in cats](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41983805/). Revista brasileira de parasitologia veterinaria = Brazilian journal of veterinary parasitology : Orgao Oficial do Colegio Brasileiro de Parasitologia Veterinaria, 2026. 2. [Field efficacy of Febantel, Pyrantel embonate and Praziquantel (Drontal® Tasty) against naturally acquired intestinal helminths of hunting dogs in southern Italy](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40993797/). Parasites & vectors, 2025. 3. [Giving Medicine to a Cat - Cat Owners](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/cat-owners/caring-for-cats/giving-medicine-to-a-cat). Merck Veterinary Manual. ## Further Reading - [American Veterinary Medical Association: First Aid Tips for Pet Owners](https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/emergencycare/first-aid-tips-pet-owners) - [Merck Veterinary Manual: Cat Owners](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/cat-owners) - [Cornell Feline Health Center: Health Information](https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information)