Young or old, indoors or outdoors, any cat can be affected by worms at some point. You can help your buddy out by getting to know these unwelcome visitors a little better, learning how to spot the symptoms of worm infestations, and administering regular worming treatments...

What are Cat Worms?

By 'worms', we mean an assortment of parasites that have a habit of finding a home in your buddy's stomach or intestine. All types can lead to serious health issues; they're easily passed on, and some can cause problems for humans as well.

Fortunately, with the right cat worming treatment, stopping an outbreak in its tracks is usually pretty simple.

Here's a closer look at the main types of worms in cats.

Roundworms

These little nasties are the most common worms in cats. They make their home in the intestine and their eggs find their way into the wider environment through passing in the faeces. So, a cat can catch worms by eating the eggs directly or by eating intermediate hosts like rodents, birds and earthworms that have the worm eggs inside them. In this way, the worm completes its life cycle.

Kittens are especially prone to becoming infected with roundworms, particularly Toxicara cati roundworms. The larvae of these worms can be present in a mother cat's mammary glands, so members of the litter can become infected through their mother's milk.

Humans (especially children) are also at risk from roundworms through ingestion of eggs after touching infected faeces or soil.

Tapeworms

Cats are most likely to get tapeworms through swallowing fleas, so they are commonly found in cats with a flea infestation. These long, thin intestinal worms stick to your cat's intestinal lining. Tapeworm eggs are often visible in the fur around the anus and resemble grains of rice. Tapeworms can also affect humans.

Hookworms

These tiny translucent parasites are invisible to the naked eye. They make their home in the small intestine and the lungs and are contracted through contaminated dirt containing eggs and worm larvae.

The hookworm will feed off the cat's blood, and the worse the infestation gets, the more likely it is that the cat will develop anaemia. Healthy adult cats can usually fend off a hookworm infestation without showing any symptoms. Still, kittens are much more susceptible to developing anaemia, and this can be fatal if not sorted out quickly.

Humans can get hookworms, too. Walk barefoot through an infected area, and the worm can actually burrow into your skin and find its way into your digestive tract - so watch your step!

Stomach worms

Although a less common type of worm than tapeworms, hookworms and roundworms, these parasites can arise, especially if a few cats share the same home.

Less than half an inch long, they live in the stomach and are only very rarely visible in the cat's stools (poo). Most stomach worm infestations are caused by a cat eating the vomit of another infected animal.

What do Cat Worms Look Like?

Cat worms vary in appearance. While most intestinal worms in cats can usually be seen in the stool, others, like hookworms, are so small and translucent that they're not visible to the naked eye.

Tapeworms can grow up to 60 cm long, are white and have a flat ribbon-like appearance with segments. Hookworms are usually 1-2 cm long, translucent and look like a thin string with a hook-like head. Roundworms can grow up to 15 cm in length, are white, and have a smooth body

Signs and Symptoms of Worms in Cats

With roundworms, you might see small white strands in the stools. Your buddy might also be lacking in energy and suffer from regular vomiting or diarrhoea. Cats with roundworm can also develop a pot belly.

Tapeworms feast on the nutrients a cat ingests - basically taking away the benefit of its food. So weight loss is likely to be a symptom regardless of how much the cat eats. You may also notice what look like long strands of rice in their stools (tapeworm eggs).

Hookworm symptoms are most commonly found in kittens rather than adult cats. These can include blood in the stool, diarrhoea, lack of energy, and a reluctance to be touched around their tummy.

What is the Best Treatment for Worms in Cats?

There are many different types of worm treatments for cats, including drops, pastes, injections, and cat worming tablets. There are also combined products that can address multiple types of worms in a single course.

But don't just guess and grab a cat worming solution from the shelf. It's important to check with your vet when treating worms in cats. The best type of worming treatment for your cat will depend on several factors, including age, breed, whether it's part of a multi-cat household, the types of parasites in your area, and any pre-existing health issues.

Common intestinal parasites, such as hookworm, roundworm, and tapeworm, can infect any cat. The most common way to become infected is through ingestion of worm eggs. Your vet will be able to advise on the best worming product for your cat and how often your cat should be treated.

Everypaw Cat Insurance

Everypaw's Cat Insurance comes with 24/7 unlimited access to vets and vet nurses that can help with your pet's health, care, nutrition and behaviour. So you can rest assured your kitty will be well looked after. 

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