Everything You Need to Know About Cat Worms

Worms are one of the most common parasites found in cats. Young or old, indoors or outdoors, any cat can be affected by worms at some point. You can help your cat 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.

How Do Cats Get Worms?

There are several ways a cat could get worms, as different types are transmitted in different ways. Some methods include contaminated environments or swallowing infected fleas. Read below to learn more about how different types of cat worms could infect your furry friend.

Different 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. They can appear in the stool as rice-like segments.
• Hookworms: are usually invisible. They are typically 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, spaghetti-like and have a smooth body.
• Stomach worms: are rarely visible.

Signs and Symptoms of Worms in Cats

Are you wondering how to tell if your cat has worms? Here are common symptoms of cat worms to look out for.

Symptoms of Roundworms in Cats

With roundworms, you might see:

• Small white strands in the stools
• Your buddy might also be lacking in energy
• Suffering from regular vomiting or diarrhoea
• Cats with roundworm can also develop a potbelly

Symptoms of Tapeworms in Cats

• Weight loss: 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).

Symptoms of Hookworms in Cats

Hookworm symptoms are most commonly found in kittens rather than adult cats. These can include:

• Blood in the stool
• Diarrhoea
• Lack of energy
• A reluctance to be touched around their tummy

Do Indoor Cats Get Worms?

Many owners assume indoor cats can't get worms, but indoor cats can still become infected.

Some ways that indoor cats could get worms include:

• Fleas brought indoors
• Contaminated shoes
• Infected prey entering the home
• Contact with other pets

Therefore, if you’re wondering, ‘Do indoor cats need to be wormed?’, the answer is yes.

What to Do if Your Cat Has Worms

• Contact your vet
• Start appropriate treatment
• Treat fleas if necessary
• Clean litter trays regularly
• Follow the treatment schedule

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.

How Long Do Worming Tablets Take to Work in Cats?

Typically, worming treatment begins working within hours and worms are usually passed over several days.

Please note that we always recommend seeking guidance from your vet, as treatments and cases can vary.

How to Give a Cat Worming Tablets

• Use pill pockets to conceal the tablet
• Hide the tablet in food
• Manually place the tablet in your cat's mouth and allow them to swallow it
• Use a tablet applicator

Tip: having a tiny amount of water in a prepared syringe and putting this into the side of their mouth is good to ensure the pill goes down fully and doesn’t irritate the oesophagus.

You should always reward your cat with a tasty treat, their favourite wet food, or plenty of fuss so they associate the process with something positive.

How To Prevent Cat Worms

Worm prevention for cats requires a year-round routine of regular deworming, flea control, and environmental hygiene. Since worms can cause severe health issues and can be passed onto humans, you should consult a vet to establish a schedule tailored to your cat's age and lifestyle.

1. Establish a deworming schedule.
2. Choose the right preventative product.
3. Maintain strict flea control.
4. Practice good hygiene - reduce the chances of re-infection and transmission to humans by keeping your cat's environment clean by scooping litter trays daily, emptying and disinfecting trays regularly, washing your cat’s bedding, and avoiding raw meat diets.

How Often Should You Worm a Cat?

• For kittens, it is recommended to worm them more frequently than adult cats. It’s advised to treat kittens every 2 weeks from 3 to 12 weeks of age, then once a month until they are 6 months old.
• Indoor adult cats should be treated every 3 to 6 months.
• Outdoor/hunting adult cats should be treated more often, about every 1 to 3 months, as they are at a higher risk of ingesting infected prey.
• Raw-fed cats should be treated monthly, as raw meat can contain immature worm stages.

However, always follow your vet's advice and product instructions.

Can Worms Kill a Cat?

Most worm infestations are treatable, but severe infestations can become serious if left untreated.

Potential complications include:

• Anaemia
• Malnutrition
• Intestinal blockages

Therefore, it is important to regularly deworm your cat and be able to spot symptoms to treat it before complications can arise.

Can Humans Catch Worms From a Cat?

Some types of cat worms can be passed onto humans, although the risk is generally low if you follow good hygiene practices and keep up with regular worming treatments.

The worms most commonly associated with human infection are roundworms and hookworms. People can become infected by accidentally swallowing microscopic worm eggs after handling contaminated soil, litter trays or cat faeces. Young children are particularly at risk because they're more likely to put their hands in their mouths after playing outdoors.

Roundworm larvae can cause a condition known as toxocariasis, which can affect different parts of the body. In rare cases, it can lead to eye problems or other health complications. Hookworm larvae can sometimes burrow into the skin, causing an itchy, red rash known as cutaneous larva migrans.

Fortunately, there are simple ways to reduce the risk:

• Follow a regular worming programme recommended by your vet
• Wash your hands thoroughly after handling your cat, cleaning litter trays or gardening
• Dispose of cat faeces promptly and safely
• Wear gloves when gardening, particularly in areas where cats may have toileted
• Keep children's play areas clean and covered when not in use

While it can sound worrying, regular parasite prevention and good hygiene go a long way towards protecting both your cat and your family from worms.

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