In Finland, deworming is approached differently today than before. We have moved away from routine, one-size-fits-all deworming repeated several times a year, towards risk-based parasite control that relies on a fecal test: we don't medicate unnecessarily, but treat at the right time and for the right reason. A healthy, low-risk adult pet does not need regular deworming several times a year, whereas puppies, kittens and pets in risk groups benefit from regular treatment. The best measure of need is a fecal test, not the calendar.
Deworming Dogs: From Puppy to Adult
Puppies: the first deworming is done already at 2 weeks of age, because roundworms can pass to puppies in the womb and through nursing. It is then repeated every 2 weeks until weaning and after that once a month until 6 months of age. The mother is always dewormed at the same time as the litter.
Adults: for an ordinary, low-risk family dog, deworming 1–2 times a year is often enough, preferably based on a fecal test. For higher-risk dogs – such as hunting, travelling and kennel dogs, dogs that roam freely outdoors, and those that eat feces or soil – deworming can be done up to 4 times a year. During the hunting season, treatment against tapeworm may be given monthly if needed.
Deworming Cats: From Kitten to Adult
Kittens: the first deworming is done at 3 weeks of age, after which it is repeated every 2 weeks until two weeks after weaning. After that, deworming is done monthly until 6 months of age.
Adults: an indoor cat usually manages with deworming 1–2 times a year, preferably based on a fecal test. A cat that goes outdoors and catches rodents belongs to the risk group and is dewormed 4 times a year, while a cat that hunts actively needs treatment monthly, since mice and other rodents spread tapeworm.
Who Needs Deworming — and When Is a Fecal Test Enough?
The need for deworming is always assessed individually, based on the pet's lifestyle. The risk is higher if the animal is under 1 year old, roams freely outdoors, hunts or catches prey, or eats feces, raw meat or rodents.
Unnecessary medication is best avoided. For a low-risk adult pet we first recommend a fecal test: if the sample is clean, no deworming is needed at all. For adults, a fecal test once a year is usually enough – this way we treat at the right time, not just in case.
The Most Common Intestinal Parasites in Finland
Roundworms (Toxocara): the most common parasite in puppies and kittens. Roundworms are zoonotic, meaning they can also infect humans, which is especially important to keep in mind in families with children.
Tapeworms: occur mainly in animals that eat rodents or raw meat.
Giardia: a protozoan that causes diarrhea and spreads through water and environments contaminated with feces.
Echinococcus: this tapeworm does not occur in Finland, and the import requirements exist precisely to keep it that way.
Travel and Mandatory Echinococcus Treatment
When a dog returns to Finland from abroad, echinococcus treatment is required by law. The treatment uses praziquantel (or an equally effective product), given 1–5 days (24–120 hours) before arrival in Finland.
Frequently travelling dogs have their own 28-day rule: two initial treatments, after which treatment is repeated at intervals of no more than 28 days, with the final dose given in Finland after the trip. You can read more about travel requirements and the EU pet passport in our vaccination article.
Not sure whether your dog or cat needs deworming? Book a fecal test or a deworming appointment with us at Eläinklinikka Saari, and we'll help you find the right rhythm for your own pet.