Roundworms in cats
Roundworms are among the most common worms in cats. Cats can become infected, for example, by ingesting worm eggs from the environment or by eating infected prey. Kittens can also become infected through their mother’s milk.
A mild infection does not always cause symptoms. With a larger number of worms, gastrointestinal problems and a reduced general condition may occur. A severe worm infection can cause more problems, especially in kittens.
Would you like to know more about infection, symptoms and treatment? Read our detailed blog about roundworms in dogs and cats.
Tapeworms in cats
Tapeworms live in the small intestine. A well-known tapeworm in cats is Dipylidium caninum. This tapeworm is transmitted by fleas. A cat can become infected if it swallows an infected flea while grooming. Good flea control therefore also plays an important role in preventing this tapeworm.
Sometimes you may find small tapeworm segments around the anus, in the coat or where your cat sleeps. These can look like small grains of rice.
You can read all about tapeworms and their treatment in our blog about tapeworm in cats.
Lungworm in cats
Cats can also become infected with lungworms. These parasites spend part of their life cycle in the airways and lungs. A cat can become infected, for example, by eating intermediate hosts or prey animals.
A lungworm infection can cause coughing and other breathing problems, although some cats show few or no clear symptoms. Would you like to know more? Read our blog about lungworm in cats.
Heartworm in cats
Heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) is transmitted by mosquitoes and mainly occurs in warmer regions. In the United Kingdom, locally acquired heartworm infection is not common, but protection may be important if you travel abroad with your cat or adopt a cat from a risk area.
Heartworm can cause serious heart and lung problems in cats. Are you travelling with your cat? Discuss with your vet in good time which preventive treatment is needed for your destination. You can find more information in our blog about heartworm in dogs and cats.
Symptoms of worms in cats
A cat with worms does not always show symptoms. Possible symptoms of worms in cats include diarrhoea, vomiting, weight loss, reduced condition, a dull coat or a swollen abdomen, especially in kittens. Sometimes worms or worm segments can be seen in the faeces or around the anus. With lungworm, coughing and breathing problems may be more noticeable. These symptoms can also be caused by many other conditions. Have your cat examined by a vet if your cat is unwell, losing weight or has persistent gastrointestinal or respiratory problems.
How does a cat get worms?
How a cat becomes infected depends on the type of worm. Worm eggs may, for example, be picked up from the environment. Cats can also become infected by eating mice and other prey animals. Fleas can transmit certain tapeworms, while mosquitoes play a role in transmitting heartworm.
Indoor cats can therefore also come into contact with worms. The individual risk is generally lower for an indoor cat that does not hunt than for a cat that spends a lot of time outdoors and catches prey.
How do you know if your cat has worms?
You cannot always recognise a worm infection with the naked eye. The absence of visible worms in the faeces therefore does not automatically mean that your cat is worm-free.
Faecal testing can help detect certain worm infections. Which test is suitable depends on the type of worm. For lungworm and heartworm, for example, other or additional tests may be necessary.
How often should you deworm a cat?
How often you should deworm a cat depends on its age and lifestyle. A cat that lives exclusively indoors, for example, has a different infection risk from a cat that hunts outdoors and regularly eats mice. Different recommendations also apply to kittens.
Deworming can be carried out preventively according to a suitable schedule or adjusted based on regular faecal testing. In our blog how often should you deworm your cat? you can read which advice is suitable for different cats.
Which deworming treatment does my cat need?
Not every deworming treatment works against every type of worm. Some products work against roundworms and tapeworms, for example, while different active ingredients may be required for lungworm or heartworm. Choose a product based on your cat’s individual risk and the worms you want to treat against.
Take a look at our range of deworming treatments for cats. Always check which types of worms the product is suitable for and take your cat’s weight and age into account.
Can you prevent worms in cats?
It is difficult to prevent infection completely, especially if your cat goes outdoors. However, you can reduce the risk and level of infection. A suitable deworming schedule or regular faecal testing can help. Good flea control is also important because certain tapeworms are transmitted by fleas. Cats travelling abroad may need additional protection.
Can cat worms infect humans?
Some worms found in cats are zoonotic, which means they can also infect humans. Good hygiene is therefore important. Clean the litter tray regularly, wash your hands after contact with faeces and try to minimise contamination of the environment. Extra attention to hygiene is particularly sensible around young children and vulnerable people, such as pregnant women, older people and people with a weakened immune system.
