Cat wormers and veterinary products in Geneva

What can you find at the pharmacy?

Need	Products	Prescription?
Intestinal worms	Wormers as tablets, paste or spot-on for cats and dogs	Most on veterinary prescription (category B); a few without
Fleas and ticks	Spot-on pipettes, sprays, collars	Many without; some on veterinary prescription
Everyday care	Ear and eye cleaners, shampoos, wound care, tick removers	No
Treatments prescribed by your vet	Medicines and, when needed, compounded preparations at an adapted dose	Yes

How often should I worm my cat or dog?

It depends on your animal’s lifestyle. A cat that hunts outdoors, a dog that runs in the woods around Cologny or eats grass and prey, or an animal living with young children needs more frequent worming than an indoor cat. Puppies and kittens follow a specific schedule from their first weeks. Swiss veterinary guidelines (ESCCAP Switzerland) recommend adapting the frequency to the risk, which often means several treatments a year for animals that go outdoors.

• Weigh your animal: the dose depends on weight, and an underdose is ineffective.
• Choose the form your animal accepts: tablet, flavoured chew, paste or spot-on.
• Note the date of each treatment and set a reminder for the next one.
• Treat all the animals in the household at the same time against fleas, and treat their bedding.

Fleas and ticks: protecting your pet

Ticks are active in Geneva from spring to autumn and can transmit diseases to dogs. Fleas can be found all year round in heated homes. A regular preventive treatment, chosen for your animal’s species and weight, is the most effective approach. After each walk, check your dog’s coat, especially around the head, ears and paws, and remove any tick with a tick remover.

When to see a vet

Our advice does not replace a veterinary examination. Contact your vet if your animal:

• has diarrhoea or vomiting that lasts more than a day, or contains blood;
• stops eating or drinking, or seems lethargic;
• has difficulty breathing, a swollen belly or signs of pain;
• may have swallowed a medicine, a toxic plant or a poison;
• is a young puppy or kitten, pregnant or elderly and seems unwell.

Outside opening hours, Geneva has veterinary emergency services: ask your vet for the number to call, and save it in your phone.

Frequently asked questions

Can I buy a cat wormer at a pharmacy in Geneva?

Yes, but in Switzerland most cat wormers are category B veterinary medicines, dispensed only on a veterinary prescription. Bring your vet’s prescription: at Pharmacie de Cologny, we dispense it and explain how to give the right dose for your animal’s weight.

Do pharmacies fill veterinary prescriptions in Switzerland?

Yes, pharmacies can dispense medicines prescribed by a vet. Bring the prescription or send it through our online form, and we will order the medicine if it is not in stock.

How often should I worm an indoor cat?

An indoor cat that does not hunt generally needs less frequent worming than an outdoor cat. Your vet will recommend a frequency adapted to its lifestyle and to the people it lives with.

Can I use my dog’s flea treatment on my cat?

No. Some dog products contain permethrin, which can be fatal to cats. Always use a product designed for the species and weight of the animal.

Can I give my dog paracetamol or ibuprofen?

Not on your own initiative. Human painkillers can be toxic to animals, ibuprofen in particular, and the dose of any painkiller must be set by a vet. Ask your vet for a treatment suited to your dog.