Intestinal worms are very common in cats and can seriously affect their health, especially in kittens. Some can also be passed to people. Here’s how cats get worms, the signs to look for and how to protect your cat with regular, vet-recommended deworming.
How Do Cats Get Worms?
Worm eggs and larvae can be found in soil, grass and the feces of infected animals. Even indoor cats that never go outside can be infected: you can bring eggs into your home on your shoes, and other pets can bring them in too. Common sources of infection include:
- hunting and eating mice, rats, birds and other prey;
- swallowing infected fleas while grooming (a common source of tapeworms);
- eating raw or undercooked meat or fish;
- contact with contaminated soil, sandboxes or feces;
- kittens can be infected through their mother’s milk;
- in some regions, mosquito bites can transmit heartworm, and eating slugs, snails or prey can transmit lungworm.
Signs of Worms in Cats
Many cats with worms show no signs at all, especially early on. When signs do appear, they can include:
- worms or worm segments in the feces or vomit, or around the bottom: tapeworm segments look like grains of rice or sesame seeds;
- vomiting or diarrhea;
- weight loss despite a good appetite, or a reduced appetite;
- a dull, scruffy coat;
- a pot-bellied appearance, especially in kittens;
- scooting or licking around the bottom;
- lethargy;
- pale gums, which can indicate anemia (especially with hookworms);
- coughing or breathing problems, with lungworm or heartworm.
If you notice any of these signs, see your vet. They can examine your cat and test a stool sample if needed.
Common Types of Worms in Cats
- Roundworms are the most common worms in cats, especially kittens. They look like spaghetti and can sometimes be seen in vomit or feces. Roundworm eggs can also infect people, particularly children, which is why regular deworming and good hygiene matter.
- Tapeworms are long, flat, segmented worms. Cats get them by swallowing infected fleas or eating infected prey. Small, rice-like segments may be seen around the bottom or on bedding.
- Hookworms are less common in cats than in dogs, but they feed on blood and can cause anemia.
- Lungworms live in the lungs and airways and can cause coughing.
- Heartworm is spread by mosquitoes. It’s a concern for cats in parts of the US and many warmer regions, but it’s rare in the UK. Prevention is important, because there’s no approved treatment for heartworm in cats.
How to Deworm Your Cat
Ask your vet which dewormer is right for your cat and how often to use it. Dewormers come as tablets, spot-on treatments and pastes, and some products treat several types of worms and parasites (such as fleas) together. Not every dewormer kills every type of worm, so the right choice depends on your cat’s risks.
General guidelines (your vet may recommend a different schedule):
- Kittens are usually dewormed every two weeks from about two to three weeks of age until they’re eight to nine weeks old, then monthly until about six months old.
- Adult cats are commonly dewormed every one to three months. Cats that hunt or go outside usually need more frequent treatment than indoor-only cats.
- Pregnant and nursing cats need special care: ask your vet which products are safe.
- Cats with fleas should also be treated for tapeworms, and fleas should be treated at the same time, otherwise reinfection is very likely. Read more about fleas on cats.
Always use a dewormer designed for cats, at the dose for your cat’s weight, and follow the instructions exactly. If you have trouble giving tablets, ask your vet about spot-on treatments, or read our tips on how to give a cat a pill.
Don’t use home remedies such as garlic, pumpkin seeds, herbs or essential oils to treat worms. They don’t work reliably, and some, like garlic, are toxic to cats. Don’t use dog dewormers on cats either.
How to Prevent Worms
- deworm your cat regularly, following your vet’s advice;
- use year-round flea prevention;
- scoop the litter box every day, and wash your hands afterward;
- feed cooked or commercially prepared food rather than raw meat;
- keep your cat indoors or limit hunting, if possible;
- cover children’s sandboxes when not in use;
- wash your hands after handling soil or gardening, and teach children to wash their hands after playing with pets.
If you’ve just adopted a kitten or cat, ask your vet about deworming at your first visit.
