Introduction
Intestinal parasites and worms are more common in cats than many pet owners realize. Studies show that up to 45% of cats may be infected with gastrointestinal parasites. With millions of pet cats living in close proximity to humans, this raises an important question – can humans get worms from cats?
What Are Cat Worms?
Cats can become infected with different types of intestinal worms, including roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, and whipworms. These worms live in a cat’s intestines and can cause a variety of health issues.
Roundworms are one of the most common worms found in cats. They are long, spaghetti-shaped worms that can grow up to 5 inches long in a cat’s intestines. Kittens often pick up roundworms from their mother’s milk, while adult cats can ingest roundworm eggs that are passed through the feces of other infected animals.
Tapeworms are flat, segmented worms that attach themselves to a cat’s intestines. Cats usually get tapeworms when they ingest infected fleas during grooming. The tapeworm segments will break off and pass through the cat’s feces.
Hookworms are small worms that latch onto the intestinal lining of cats to feed on blood. Larvae can burrow through the skin and into the intestines. Cats may get hookworms from ingesting larvae from contaminated soil or feces.
Whipworms are thin worms that live in the cecum and colon. They leave eggs that are passed through the feces and can survive in soil for years. Cats ingest whipworm eggs by grooming or ingesting contaminated soil or prey.
In most cases, worms produce eggs that are passed through the cat’s feces, which contaminates the environment. Other cats can pick up worms by ingesting contaminated soil, feces, or prey infected with larvae or eggs. Kittens can also get worms from nursing on an infected mother cat.
How Do Cats Get Worms?
Cats can get worms in a few different ways. One of the most common is by ingesting worm eggs or larvae that are present in the environment (1). These eggs and larvae may be in soil, water, food bowls, litter boxes, grass, or other places the cat frequents. If a cat accidentally swallows the eggs or larvae, they can hatch inside the cat’s body and develop into adult worms.
Another way cats acquire worms is from their mother before birth or while nursing (2). Kittens can get roundworms this way, since the worm larvae can cross the placenta before birth or pass to kittens through the mother’s milk. This is why routine deworming of kittens is so important.
Worm eggs and larvae may also burrow through a cat’s skin and enter the body that way (3). For example, hookworms can penetrate the skin and migrate to the intestines where they mature. Keeping cats away from contaminated soil can help prevent this method of transmission.
In summary, the two main ways cats get intestinal worms are by ingesting worm eggs/larvae from the environment and by transmission from mother to kittens. Good hygiene and routine deworming are important to protect cats from these common internal parasites.
Can Humans Get Worms from Cats?
Yes, humans can get parasitic worms from cats. These types of worms are called zoonotic parasites, meaning they can be transmitted between animals and humans (CDC). Some of the most common worm infections that humans can get from cats include:
- Roundworms (Toxocara cati, Toxascaris leonina) – Roundworms are very common in cats. Humans can accidentally ingest infective roundworm eggs that have been passed in a cat’s feces and then matured in the soil, resulting in a disease called toxocariasis.
- Hookworms (Ancylostoma tubaeforme) – Hookworm larvae can penetrate human skin from contaminated soil or sand. This can cause cutaneous larva migrans, an itchy skin rash.
- Tapeworms (Dipylidium caninum) – Humans can accidentally ingest tapeworm eggs shed in a cat’s feces and contract an intestinal tapeworm infection.
Children are at greatest risk for worm infections from pets. Proper hygiene around cats, promptly cleaning the litter box, washing hands after playing with pets, and preventing cats from defecating in children’s play areas can reduce the risk of transmission.
Ways Humans Can Get Cat Worms
There are a few primary ways that humans can contract worms from cats:
Litter boxes [1] – One of the most common ways humans can pick up worms from cats is by coming into contact with infected feces in the litter box. Many worm eggs are passed through the cat’s feces and can contaminate the litter. When cleaning the litter box, the eggs can accidentally be ingested if proper precautions are not taken, such as wearing gloves and washing hands afterwards.
Bites/scratches – Worm larvae can reside under the cat’s nails or in their saliva. If a human is bitten or scratched by a cat with worms, the parasite can potentially transmit to the wound site and cause an infection.
Eating infected fleas [2] – Cats can ingest worm eggs by eating infected fleas while grooming. If a human then ingests an infected flea, they can also pick up the parasite. Young children are most at risk if they eat a flea after petting or playing with cats.
To minimize infection risk, proper precautions should be taken around cats, including washing hands frequently, avoiding bites/scratches, and preventing access to litter boxes. Routinely deworming cats can also reduce environmental contamination.
[1] https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/resources/web/roundworms_hookworms.html
[2] https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/toxocariasis.html
Protecting Yourself from Cat Worms
There are several steps you can take to protect yourself and your family from potential worm transmission from cats in your home:
Wash your hands frequently, especially after touching cats or cleaning the litter box. Use soap and warm water, scrubbing for at least 20 seconds. This can help remove worm eggs that may be present on your hands before they have a chance to enter your system accidentally. According to the CDC, handwashing is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of infectious diseases like worms (1).
Avoid handling or cleaning cat litter boxes if possible. The fecal matter in litter boxes is how worm eggs are spread. If you must clean the litter box, wear gloves and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards. Pregnant women in particular should avoid litter boxes, as some worm larvae can be harmful to unborn babies (2).
Deworm cats regularly as prescribed by your veterinarian. Keeping your cats free of worms through regular deworming can prevent the spread of worms in your home environment. Kittens should be dewormed every 2 weeks starting at 2 weeks of age until 3 months, then monthly until 6 months old (3). Adults can be dewormed at least 2-4 times per year or as recommended by your vet.
(1) https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/handwashing-family.html
(2) https://www.ingleside.com/services/cats/blog/cat-deworming-info-you-need-avoid-potentially-fatal-condition
(3) https://www.dailypaws.com/cats-kittens/health-care/feline-parasites/worms-in-cats-what-to-do-and-how-to-avoid-them
Signs Your Cat Has Worms
There are several signs that may indicate your cat has a worm infection, including:
– Visible worms – You may see actual worms in your cat’s feces or vomit. Roundworms resemble long spaghetti noodles, while tapeworms look more like grains of rice. Seeing worms is a clear sign your cat is infected.
– Pot belly – Certain worms like roundworms and hookworms live in the intestinal tract. A heavy infestation can cause inflammation and distention of the abdomen, giving your cat a pot bellied appearance. This is a common sign of worms in kittens.
– Coughing up worms – Some cats cough up worms if they have a serious lungworm infection. Lungworm larvae migrate to the lungs after being swallowed. Your cat may cough to try and expel the worms from the respiratory tract. This is an alarming symptom that warrants immediate veterinary care.
Other symptoms of worms can include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, dull coat, and unexplained weight loss. Kittens with worms may have a poor growth rate. If you suspect your cat has worms, bring a stool sample to confirm the diagnosis.
Sources:
https://www.smalldoorvet.com/learning-center/medical/worms-in-cats/
https://www.petmd.com/cat/parasites/worms-cats-everything-you-need-know
Diagnosing Worms in Cats
There are a couple main ways that veterinarians test for worms in cats:
Fecal Exam
A fecal exam allows the veterinarian to look at a small sample of the cat’s stool under a microscope. This allows them to check for worm eggs, larvae, or adult worms that may be present. Roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and tapeworms can all be detected this way (PetMD).
Tape Test
A tape test involves pressing a piece of clear tape against the cat’s anal area, then examining the tape under a microscope. This is a good way to check for tapeworm segments, which may stick to the tape. Tapeworm eggs may also be detected this way (Small Door Vet).
In some cases, additional tests like blood work may be recommended if the fecal exam is unclear. Treatment can begin once the type of worm is identified through diagnostic testing.
Treating Cat Worms
The most common and effective treatment for worms in cats is deworming medication prescribed by a veterinarian. There are several types of dewormers that kill different kinds of worms. The veterinarian will choose the appropriate medication based on the type of worm infection, the cat’s age, and other factors.
Some common deworming medications include:
- Fenbendazole – kills roundworms, hookworms, whipworms
- Praziquantel – kills tapeworms
- Pyrantel pamoate – kills roundworms and hookworms
- Ivermectin – kills some kinds of roundworms
The deworming medication can be given orally in pill, paste or liquid form. The veterinarian will provide instructions on administering the medication properly. It often requires repeat doses over a period of time to fully eliminate the worms.
In addition to deworming medication, follow up care is important. The veterinarian will likely recommend a repeat fecal exam 2-4 weeks after treatment to check if the worms are gone. They may prescribe additional doses of the dewormer if worms still persist.
Environmental clean up is also advised after deworming. This includes thorough vacuuming, washing bedding on high heat, and cleaning the litter box with soap and hot water to remove any parasite eggs. Keeping the cat’s environment clean helps prevent reinfection.
With prompt diagnosis and correct deworming treatment under veterinary guidance, worm infections can be effectively managed. But cats may require periodic deworming throughout their lives to keep worms under control.
Conclusion
As we’ve seen, cats can absolutely get intestinal worms from a variety of sources, including fleas, prey animals, contaminated soil, and even their mother before birth. While some worms like tapeworms and hookworms can potentially be transmitted to humans, the risk is low, especially for indoor cats and with proper hygiene practices.
That said, routine deworming of cats remains incredibly important not just for your own health, but for your cat’s as well. Worms can cause vomiting, diarrhea, malnutrition, anemia, and even death in untreated cases. By staying alert for symptoms, working with your vet to check for and treat worms, and taking precautions like washing hands after handling cat feces, you can protect your feline friend and yourself. With vigilance and care, worms don’t have to pose an ongoing threat.