Introduction
Many cat owners worry about the possibility of their furry friends spreading worms around the house. Worm infections are common in cats, especially kittens, so it’s understandable to have concerns about contamination. However, with proper prevention and treatment, cat owners can reduce the risks and keep their homes worm-free.
This article provides an in-depth look at the different types of worms cats can get, how they spread, where they deposit eggs, and most importantly – how to clean your home and furniture if an infection occurs. With the right information, cat owners can tackle a worm problem head-on and protect their feline companions and families.
Types of Worms in Cats
Cats can become infected with several different types of intestinal worms. The most common worms found in cats include:
Roundworms
Roundworms are extremely common parasites in cats. According to the ASPCA, almost 25% of kittens are already infected with roundworms at birth. Roundworm eggs are passed from the mother cat to her kittens before birth or through her milk. Roundworms absorb nutrients, interfering with your cat’s ability to gain weight and grow properly. They can also cause intestinal blockages. Signs of a roundworm infection include a pot-bellied appearance, vomiting, and diarrhea. Roundworm eggs are microscopic and can contaminate your cat’s environment through feces. They can survive for long periods in the soil (Source).
Tapeworms
Tapeworms live in the small intestine and absorb nutrients. Tapeworm infections often do not cause any symptoms, but signs can include digestive upset, scooting, licking the anus, abdominal discomfort, vomiting, and weight loss. Tapeworms are transmitted when a cat ingests a flea infected with tapeworm larvae. Their segments break off and pass out in the feces, clinging to fur near the anus. These dried segments can sometimes be seen in the cat’s bedding (Source).
Hookworms
Hookworms attach to the intestinal wall and feed on blood, causing anemia. Signs include weight loss, pale gums, diarrhea, and dark tarry feces. Hookworm larvae can burrow into the skin and migrate to the intestine. Cats may get hookworms from ingesting larvae in the environment or from larval penetration through the skin, usually through the paws (Source).
How Cats Get Worms
Cats most commonly contract worms after coming into contact with parasite eggs or infected feces. There are a few main ways cats tend to get infected with worms:
Ingesting parasite eggs – Cats can ingest worm eggs from contaminated soil, food bowls, litterboxes, or grooming. Roundworm, hookworm, and tapeworm eggs can be accidentally consumed this way. Worm eggs are microscopic and invisible to the naked eye.
Eating infected rodents – Cats that hunt and eat rodents like mice or rats can become infected with worms this way. The rodents may harbor worm larvae or eggs in their tissues which then infect the cat. This is most common with roundworms and tapeworms.
Larvae transmission – Some worm larvae can penetrate through the skin and infect cats. Hookworms and roundworms spread this way. The larvae may be in soil or litter contaminated with feces.
References:
https://www.petmd.com/cat/parasites/worms-cats-everything-you-need-know
https://www.smalldoorvet.com/learning-center/medical/worms-in-cats/
Cat Worm Life Cycle
The lifecycle of cat worms is complex. It begins when a cat inadvertently ingests worm eggs, often from contaminated soil, feces, or fur while grooming. Once swallowed, the eggs hatch into larvae inside the cat’s intestinal tract (https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/roundworm-infection-in-cats).
The larvae migrate through the cat’s body tissues and organs, eventually growing into adult worms several inches long. Adult roundworms live in the cat’s intestines and reproduce by laying thousands of eggs that are excreted in the feces (https://kingsbrookvet.com/pdf/Roundworm%20Infection%20in%20Cats.pdf).
When a cat defecates, the worm eggs are deposited on the ground or litter box. Once in the environment, the eggs can survive and remain infectious for years. If ingested by another animal or human, the cycle repeats.
Worm Egg Contamination
Worms like roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms lay microscopic eggs that are shed through an infected cat’s feces. These eggs can survive in the environment for months or longer before being transmitted to another host. According to the American Association of Feline Practitioners, roundworm eggs can survive for years in soil while hookworm and tapeworm eggs may last for several weeks or months in favorable conditions.
This means that areas where an infected cat defecates, like litter boxes, soil around the home, carpets, floors, grass, and outdoor sandboxes and gardens can harbor infective worm eggs long after the feces has been cleaned up. Any surfaces, including furniture or bedding, that have come into contact with feces of an infected cat may also contain worm eggs that can be transmitted to humans and other animals. Properly cleaning and disinfecting areas of potential contamination is important to decrease environmental worm egg reservoirs.
Sources:
My Cat Has Worms: How Do I Clean My House? Vet Approved Guide
Worm Transmission Risks
Cats infected with worms shed microscopic eggs in their feces which contaminate their fur when they groom themselves. These eggs can then be transferred to furniture, carpets, bedding and anywhere else the cat goes. According to the CDC, a single adult female roundworm can produce up to 200,000 eggs per day1, so heavy infestations lead to widespread contamination.
When a human comes into contact with contaminated fur and ingests infective worm eggs, either directly or via food, they can become infected. Young children are at highest risk as they frequently put hands and objects in their mouths without washing. The eggs can survive for long periods in the environment waiting to be ingested. Thorough vacuuming and cleaning is required to remove contamination, but reinfection will occur rapidly if the cat isn’t treated.
Cats also ingest eggs when grooming, continuing the egg-shedding cycle. For this reason, treating the environment alone without treating the cat is insufficient for eliminating infection.
Reducing Worm Risks
There are several steps cat owners can take to reduce the risks of worms spreading in the home:
De-worming medication – Giving cats regular de-worming medication prescribed by a veterinarian can help kill worms and prevent re-infection. Medications like fenbendazole, pyrantel pamoate, or ivermectin help remove worms from a cat’s body.[1]
Litter box hygiene – Keeping the litter box clean and frequently scooping waste can help prevent eggs and larvae from hatching and spreading. Use gloves when cleaning the litter box and wash hands afterwards.
Vacuuming – Thoroughly vacuuming carpets, furniture, and other fabric surfaces can help remove eggs or larvae that may get transferred from a cat’s paws or fur. Pay close attention to areas the cat frequents. Empty the vacuum immediately after to prevent any eggs from hatching inside.
Treating a Worm Infection
The most effective way to treat a worm infection in cats is with prescription de-worming medications. There are several broad-spectrum de-wormers available that are safe and effective for cats:
Fenbendazole (brand name Panacur) is the most commonly prescribed de-wormer for cats. It kills roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms. Treatment involves an initial dose followed by a repeat dose 2-4 weeks later to kill any newly hatched worms.
Pyrantel pamoate (brand name Strongid) kills roundworms and hookworms. It is given as a single dose, but may need to be repeated in 2-3 weeks.
Praziquantel (brand name Droncit) is effective against tapeworms. Cats are often treated with a single dose, but a second dose may be needed 2-4 weeks later.
The combination drug praziquantel/pyrantel (brand name Drontal) or pyrantel/praziquantel/fenbendazole (brand name Drontal Plus) can treat all three common worms with one medication.
For any de-worming medication, it is important to follow up with a repeat dose in 2-4 weeks to kill any newly hatched worms from eggs not destroyed in the first dose. Multi-dose treatment ensures the infection is fully eliminated.
Over-the-counter de-wormers are not as reliable, so prescription medication specifically for cats from your veterinarian is strongly recommended to most effectively remove a worm infection.
Preventing Re-Infection
Worm reinfections are unfortunately very common in cats. To help prevent re-infection after treating an initial worm infestation, it’s important to take the following ongoing prevention measures:
Ongoing de-worming: Vets recommend de-worming kittens starting at 2 weeks old, then every 2 weeks until 3 months of age, and then monthly until 6 months old. Adult cats should be de-wormed at least 2-4 times per year according to VCA Hospitals. This helps clear any new worms or eggs that a cat may ingest between treatments.
Limit outdoor exposure: Since worms can be transmitted through contaminated soil, feces or hunting, it’s best to keep cats indoors as much as possible. When cats go outside, avoid areas frequented by strays or wildlife. Supervise outdoor time and prevent hunting. Use litter boxes and clean any outdoor defecation promptly.
Conclusion
In summary, cats can get different types of intestinal worms like roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms and whipworms. These worms have complex life cycles that involve egg laying in the cat’s intestine, egg shedding in the feces, and ingestion by other hosts. While some worms like hookworms can penetrate human skin, the main risk of human infection is through ingesting microscopic worm eggs that have contaminated the environment.
Worm eggs can potentially contaminate any surfaces, objects or soil that infected feces have contacted. However, the risk is lowest for smooth non-porous surfaces like metal and plastic furniture that can be easily disinfected. Higher risk surfaces include porous materials like fabric, carpeting and soil where eggs can persist for long periods.
To limit human exposure, it’s important to practice good cat hygiene, treat worm infections promptly, clean the environment thoroughly and prevent re-infection. With proper precautions, cat owners can minimize the risks of worms in the home.
The key takeaway is that while intestinal worms in cats can potentially contaminate the home environment, the risks can be reduced through veterinary care, sanitation and ongoing prevention.