Worms are a common parasite found in cats. The most common worms found in cats are roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms and heartworms. While worms can cause discomfort, weight loss and other symptoms in cats, they can be treated and managed by a veterinarian.
What types of worms commonly infect cats?
There are four main types of intestinal worms that can be found in cats:
- Roundworms – Roundworms are the most common worm found in kittens. Kittens can pick up roundworms before birth or from their mother’s milk. Roundworms absorb nutrients, leading to weight loss and poor growth. They can also cause vomiting and diarrhea. Roundworms are white, spaghetti-shaped worms that can grow to several inches long.
- Tapeworms – Tapeworms live in the small intestine and can grow up to 28 inches long. Tapeworms form segmented bodies and shed segments containing eggs which are passed in the stool. Tapeworms are transmitted when a cat ingests a flea or small rodent infected with tapeworm larvae.
- Hookworms – Hookworms attach to the intestinal wall and feed on blood. They cause blood loss, vomiting, diarrhea and weight loss. Hookworms are typically transmitted in contaminated soil.
- Heartworms – Heartworms are spread through mosquito bites. The larvae migrate to the heart and blood vessels, causing damage to the lungs, heart and liver. Heartworm infection can be deadly if left untreated.
Whipworms and stomach worms are less common intestinal worms found in cats.
What are the symptoms of worms in cats?
Symptoms of worms in cats can include:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
- Poor coat condition
- Increased appetite
- A pot-bellied appearance
- Coughing (with heartworms)
- Worm segments in stool or vomit
Kittens with heavy worm burdens may have trouble gaining weight and have a poor growth rate. Worms can rob a cat of vital nutrients leading to malnutrition. Tapeworms and roundworms may be visible around a cat’s rear or in stool and vomit.
With heartworms, cats can develop heart and respiratory symptoms like coughing and difficulty breathing. Heartworm infection progresses slower in cats compared to dogs but can still lead to potentially fatal complications.
How are worms diagnosed in cats?
There are several methods to diagnose worms in cats:
- Physical exam – The veterinarian will look for signs of worms like a pot-bellied appearance, poor body condition, or visible worms.
- Fecal tests – Microscopic examination of a stool sample can identify worm eggs. This allows identification of roundworms, hookworms and whipworms.
- Tapeworm segments – Tapeworm segments may be visible in stool or around the cat’s anus. The segments can be microscopically examined to diagnose tapeworms.
- Blood tests – A complete blood count may show anemia and eosinophilia in cats with worms. Heartworm antigen tests identify heartworm infections.
- Imaging – Chest x-rays can reveal heart and lung changes caused by heartworm infection.
A veterinarian may use a combination of diagnostic tests to check for parasites and determine the type of worms infecting the cat. Annual fecal tests and regular veterinary visits are important to screen cats for worm infections.
How are worms treated and removed in cats?
There are several effective deworming medications that kill worms in cats. The veterinarian will prescribe an appropriate dewormer based on the type of worm infecting the cat:
- Roundworms – Pyrantel pamoate, fenbendazole, milbemycin oxime
- Hookworms – Pyrantel pamoate, fenbendazole, milbemycin oxime
- Tapeworms – Praziquantel, epsiprantel
- Whipworms – Fenbendazole, milbemycin oxime
- Heartworms – Melarsomine, ivermectin, milbemycin oxime
Broad-spectrum dewormers are available that treat roundworms, hookworms and whipworms. Tapeworms require specific medication. Heartworm treatment is more involved, using medications to kill adult worms and larvae.
After deworming, re-treatment may be needed in 2-4 weeks to kill any newly hatched worms. For heavy infestations, multiple treatments are often required. The environment should also be cleaned to prevent reinfection.
In addition to medication, supportive care like fluids, vitamins and nutritional support may be part of treatment for cats that are weak or malnourished. With prompt treatment and removal of worms, most cats have a good prognosis.
Are there home remedies to get rid of worms in cats?
There are no effective home remedies to eliminate worms in cats. While some natural treatments may help prevent worms, they do not kill existing worm infections. Some natural options include:
- Pumpkin seeds – Have limited effectiveness against tapeworms but do not kill other types of worms.
- Garlic – May have some benefit against roundworms but can be toxic to cats in high doses.
- Diatomaceous earth – Abrasive powder that may prevent worms when fed regularly but does not kill existing infections.
Using home remedies alone often delays proper treatment. These options should never replace deworming medication prescribed by a veterinarian. Prevention through regular stool screening and deworming is vital for controlling worms.
How can I prevent worms in cats?
You can help prevent worm infections in cats by following these tips:
- Have kittens dewormed starting at 2 weeks old, repeating every 2 weeks until 12 weeks old.
- Deworm adult cats regularly with broad-spectrum dewormers.
- Clean the litter box daily to remove stool that could contain worm eggs.
- Prevent fleas and ticks which transmit worms.
- Stop cats from hunting and eating rodents that carry worms.
- Provide monthly heartworm prevention.
- Avoid contact with stray cats and contaminated environments.
- Clean up any vomit or diarrhea right away.
- Schedule annual fecal exams to check for worms.
Ensure cats receive regular deworming to kill any ingested worm eggs or larvae before they can mature. Prompt removal of feces prevents environmental contamination. Restricting hunting reduces exposure to worms carried by rodents and wildlife. Following these steps can help minimize the worm burden and risk of infection.
Are worms contagious to other pets and humans?
Some worms in cats can be transmitted to other pets and humans:
- Roundworms – Kittens are most likely to transmit roundworms. People can accidentally ingest infective eggs that may cause eye and organ damage.
- Hookworms – Hookworm larvae can penetrate human skin from contaminated soil. This causes itchy skin lesions.
- Tapeworms – Humans get tapeworms if they ingest infected fleas. This is rare but can cause abdominal symptoms.
- Heartworms – Heartworms are only spread through mosquito bites, not directly between pets.
To reduce risk of transmission:
- Deworm cats regularly and prevent fleas.
- Clean the litter box daily.
- Cover sandboxes that may become contaminated with stool.
- Wash hands after handling pets or cleaning up stool.
- Keep cats indoors to limit hunting and exposure to infected hosts.
- Treat dogs monthly with heartworm prevention.
Practicing good hygiene and controlling worms in cats reduces the risk of human infection. While some worms can spread between pets, most are host-specific and only infect certain species.
Are worms hard to get rid of in cats?
With veterinary treatment and preventive care, most worm infections in cats can be effectively managed and eliminated. However, reinfection is common if the proper steps are not taken.
Factors that can make getting rid of worms more difficult include:
- Heavy environmental contamination with worm eggs and larvae
- Multi-pet households where reinfection occurs between pets
- Cats with outdoor access that hunt or ingest feces/soil
- Failure to properly clean litter boxes and living areas
- Underlying conditions like immunosuppression that increase susceptibility
- Not providing monthly heartworm prevention
- Missing scheduled deworming treatments
- Not addressing flea infestations
To successfully eliminate worms:
- Treat with the proper deworming medication based on the type of worm.
- Retreat in 2-4 weeks to kill newly hatched worms.
- Thoroughly clean the environment and litter box.
- Deworm other pets and provide monthly heartworm prevention.
- Restrict outdoor access and hunting until stool tests are negative.
- Continue deworming treatments and fecal testing to monitor effectiveness.
While getting rid of an existing worm burden takes diligence, preventing reinfection after treatment is most critical. With the right medications prescribed by your vet and smart preventive care, worms do not have to be difficult to control.
Conclusion
Worms are a common problem in cats but very manageable with veterinary care and prevention. The most prevalent cat worms are roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms and heartworms, each requiring specific treatment. Diagnosis is made through physical exam, fecal tests and other laboratory diagnostics. Several safe, effective deworming medications are available to kill adult worms and larvae. Eliminating fleas, cleaning litter boxes, controlling outdoor access and providing heartworm prevention all help break the worm life cycle. While worms may require persistent treatment, they are not hard to get rid of in cats with a strategic parasites control plan.