Pet owners may be alarmed to find worms (most often white worms) in their cat’s poop. As a vet, I know how unsettling it can be. Intestinal worms can indeed be quite harmful to cats, leading to weight loss, malnutrition, and serious health issues if left untreated.
However, don’t panic – this is a common issue that we can handle together. I’ll walk you through what you need to know and what steps to take to get your kitty back on track.
This article takes a look at the most common intestinal worms in cats (roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms), what to look for, and how these common intestinal parasites are treated.
Treatment Depends on the Type of Worms: A Guide to 3 Common Worms Found in Cat Poop [With Pictures]
1. Roundworm
The most common type of worms seen in cat poop are roundworms. They’re especially common in kittens, but adult cats can also be affected. Roundworms look like long white/yellow spaghetti strands, as shown on the pictures below. They are an extremely common intestinal worm with a spaghetti-like appearance that feeds upon the intestinal contents, competing with the host for food.
Roundworms in poop:
Two species of roundworm infect cats, Toxocara cati and Toxascaris leonina. Toxocara cati is the most common species to infect cats. Domestic and wild felids are the natural host, but other mammals can become transport hosts. Adult roundworms can reach a length of 10 – 15 cm and feed on the stomach contents, competing with the cat for nutrients.
Treatment for roundworms: Several safe medications are available to treat both roundworm species. Some of the more common medications include Pyrantel pamoate and Fenbendazole. These are available in a variety of forms including oral liquids, pastes and powders. They can be mixed with food or given with a syringe into the mouth. Most are available to buy without prescription and are relatively inexpensive, with a single treatment costing just a few dollars. Learn more about Roundworms & How to get rid of roundworms.
2. Tapeworm
The most common tapeworm species, Dipylidium caninum, infects cats when they ingest an infected flea. Tapeworms (cestodes) are flat, segmented worms that live in the small intestine of their host (white / yellow-ish). The tapeworm has a tough outer skin that is able to withstand strong digestive juices. Because tapeworms have no mouth or digestive tract, they must obtain pre-digested food via their host which they absorb through their porous skin.
Pictured below are tapeworms in cat poop (two pictures):
Treatment for tapeworms: Praziquantel is the typical treatment for tapeworms. It is often combined with other dewormers to provide a broader spectrum of parasite control. A single treatment is usually effective, but your vet may recommend a second dose in a few weeks in case of re-infection. Tapeworm therapy is usually done with a tablet, but spot ons are also available. Treatment cost is about $3-6.
Good hygiene, feces removal, and overall home cleanliness are some of the most important steps you can take to protect your cat. Cooking food is also advised, as tapeworms can be transmitted via raw meat. Since tapeworms can also be spread via infected fleas, home cleanliness and flea elimination becomes vital to preventing reinfection. It is estimated that 90% of fleas are found in the environment (house, carpet) and 10% are actually on the pet. Learn more about Tapeworms & how to get rid of tapeworms.
3. Hookworm
Hookworms are small, white, thin nematodes approximately 1 – 2 mm long that live in the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine) where they use six hook-like teeth to attach to the intestinal wall. The most common hookworms to infect cats are Ancylostoma and Uncinaria species.
These worms are treated with medicines such as Ivermectin, Fenbendazole or Milbemycin oxime. Most of the time, these are given orally as a liquid or tablet. There is also the option of spot-ons available from the vet clinic. Cost of this treatment depends on if you buy in bulk, and the size of your cat. However, like most wormers, it is very affordable; at less than $10 per cat.
Hookworms feed on mucosa and blood, and each adult hookworm can consume up to 0.1 ml of blood every day. As the hookworm feeds, it injects an anticoagulant into the feeding site to prevent blood clotting. A heavy infestation can lead to anemia (low red blood cell count) due to blood loss. In young or unwell cats, this can even lead to death. Learn more about hookworms & how to get rid of hookworms.
Worms require medical treatment
Do not ignore a cat with a worm infestation, worms will not go away on their own, and a heavy worm burden can have a negative serious impact on the cat’s health as intestinal worms compete with the cat for nutrients, or in the case of hookworms, consume the cat’s blood.
Worms are also zoonotic, meaning they can be passed on to the people in the home.
If you find worms in your cat’s poop, schedule a vet visit and bring a stool sample with you
If you notice worms in your cat’s poop, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. Bring along a sample of stool to the appointment for the veterinarian to evaluate for worms and eggs. This should be some poo collected from one poo each day over three days, to ensure you detect any parasites or eggs being shed. The veterinarian will prescribe an appropriate dewormer to treat the cat. It takes approximately 2-3 days for a dewormer to kill intestinal worms in cats. You may notice dead worms in the cat’s stool, which is normal. In some cases, the worms may still be alive in the stool, but this is uncommon. NOTE: Often you won’t see any changes, even when a wormer has worked. Remember, many parasites are microscopic.
Cleaning the house
Tapeworms segments can stick to bedding, rugs or blankets where the cat sleeps. Wash all of the cat’s bedding and blankets in hot water and if possible, dry on a high heat and use the heat of an iron over the fabric (if it is safe to do so) to kill worm eggs and tapeworm segments, and steam clean rugs. You can still touch your cat if he or she has worms, however, always wash your hands after you have had any physical contact with your cat. To learn more, read our article: My Cat Has Worms – How Do I Clean the House?
Can you treat your cat for worms at home?
You can treat your cat for worms at home, although you should always discuss the situation with your veterinarian first before any home treatment. We recommend a veterinary-approved dewormer, as not all products are effective. Your veterinarian can perform a fecal flotation or fecal analysis to determine what species of worm the cat has and prescribe the most suitable dewormer. Treat all cats and dogs for worms at the same time. Dewormers only kill adult worms, therefore repeat treatments will be needed.
When to call your veterinarian
If you suspect your cat has worms, call or schedule an appointment with a veterinarian. Hookworms and roundworms remain in the body and do not directly pass out of the body via the stool, therefore, if you are seeing worms in the stool, it warrants investigation. The veterinarian will also evaluate the overall health of the cat to determine if the worms have caused any medical issues such as anemia or malnutrition.
How long after deworming are the worms gone?
A dewormed cat can still have worms, even if you gave them an appropriate dewormer. It does not mean that the dewormer was ineffective. It often just means that it didn’t get ALL the worms.
The other important thing to remember about most dewormers is that they only affect worms in the intestinal tract, not those in other parts of the body. So if a worm has migrated to lung or mammary tissue, those are much harder to get rid of. You may need additional rounds of dewormer as worms migrate through the body. This is especially important for cats that go outside or hunt prey animals frequently. Some vets will recommend rechecking a fecal sample from your cat to ensure that the parasites are cleared. Read our article: How Long After Deworming Are The Worms Gone?
Is it worms in your cat poop or could it be something else?
It is possible that what you are seeing in the cat’s poop are not worms but something the cat has ingested that has passed out of the body via the stool.
- String, cotton thread or hair ties may be accidentally or intentionally ingested, which can pass out of the stool.
- Undigested food such as rice can have a similar appearance to a tapeworm proglottid.
- Chewed-up bones or toy parts.
- Maggots can hatch onto cat poop if the poop is left out and a fly lays her eggs on it. It takes between 24 – 48 hours for maggots to emerge.
This highlights the importance of a veterinary diagnosis, to determine if the cat has worms, and if so, what type of worms he or she is infected with.
How are cats infected with worms?
- Transmammary – kittens can get infected via milk: Infection with hookworm or roundworm can occur even if the mother cat is routinely dewormed. When a cat is infected with hookworm or roundworm, some of the larvae migrate to the tissues of the cat where they encyst. Once the cat becomes pregnant, they migrate to the mammary glands and infect the kittens via the milk.
- Ingestion – cats can get infested when eating animals infected with worms: Infection of hookworm, roundworm and tapeworm can occur via ingestion of eggs or larvae from the environment and consuming animals infected with worms, or their stool.
- Vector – cats can get infected via the ingestion of a flea: Tapeworm transmission occurs via the ingestion of a flea which serves as an intermediate host to the parasite.
Common signs of worms in cats
Worms in the stool is an uncommon finding and most pet owners won’t be aware their cat has worms unless he or she has a heavy parasite burden. Symptoms can vary depending on the species of worm, but typically, the following symptoms are common for hookworm, roundworm and tapeworm infections.
- Potbellied appearance
- Stunted growth in kittens
- Poor coat condition
- Coughing
- Vomiting worms
- Pale gums due to anemia
- Weight loss
- Dark, tarry stools (hookworm)
Why do worms end up in cat poop?
As the adult tapeworm matures, tapeworm proglottids break off from the terminal end of the worm and pass out of the body via stool. Proglottids are approximately 10mm long and have the appearance of rice. Once outside the body, the proglottid dries out which exposes its eggs, which look like sesame seeds.
Roundworms and hookworms are seen less often in the poop than tapeworms, however, cats with heavy parasite burdens may have roundworms or hookworms in the stool. Roundworms are pale cream and spaghetti-like in appearance, and hookworms are generally too small to see. Worms may also be seen in the poop if the cat has recently been dewormed. With very heavy burdens, the worms can be vomited up.
What should I do to prevent these worms from coming back?
All cats, even indoor-only cats, should be treated for worms regularly with dewormer. Worming products may be topical (applied to the back of the neck), syrups, pastes, chews, powders or tablets.
Most dewormers treat a number of parasites including hookworm, roundworm, and fleas as well as heartworm and tick preventatives. Remember, that fleas transmit tapeworms, so it is important to routinely treat cats for fleas and worms. Preventing cats from hunting also reduces the risk of worms, which can be transmitted when the cat consumes its prey that is infected with worms or other infectious organisms. Similarly, cooking meat can prevent tapeworm infestation.
Worming adult cats:
The frequency of administration can vary between products and can range from monthly to once every three months. Always follow the instructions on the packet and never give a cat a dog worming product unless instructed to do so by your veterinarian.
Worming kittens:
- Deworm every 2-3 weeks, from 3 weeks until 12 weeks of age.
- Consult your veterinarian to assess your kittens’ risks and to obtain an appropriate dewormer.
- Remember, the mother cat should be up to date with her de-wormer, to help reduce the worm burden in her kittens
What is the prognosis for cats with intestinal worms?
Kittens are at increased risk due to their small size. Tapeworms and roundworms compete with the cat for food and nutients, which are critical for growth and development. A heavy hookworm infestation can cause anemia due to blood loss. The good news is that the prognosis is excellent. There is a wide choice of effective worming medications available to treat your cats, and they work rapidly.
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