Introduction
Parasites are organisms that live on or in a host organism and get their food from or at the expense of the host. Parasites can cause disease and illness in the host. Cats can become infected with several types of parasites, including protozoa, worms, and external parasites like fleas and ticks. These parasites live in various parts of the cat’s body and are shed in the feces.
Some parasites that cats pass in their feces can infect humans and pose health risks if the feces are not properly disposed of. Parasite eggs, larvae, and cysts can survive in the environment and on surfaces for long periods. Understanding how long parasites persist in cat feces is important to reduce transmission and protect human and animal health.
Common Parasites in Cats
The most common parasites found in cat feces include:
- Roundworms (Toxocara cati and Toxascaris leonina) – Roundworms are the most prevalent intestinal parasite in cats, with an estimated prevalence of 25-75%, and often higher in kittens. These long, thin worms live in the small intestine and shed eggs that are passed in the feces. The eggs can survive and infect other animals for years in the environment.
- Hookworms (Ancylostoma tubaeforme) – Hookworms attach to the intestinal wall and feed on blood, causing anemia. They are less common than roundworms, with a prevalence around 15%. The larvae emerge in the feces and can infect other animals through skin contact.
- Tapeworms (Dipylidium caninum and Taenia species) – Tapeworms live in the small intestine and shed segments containing eggs that pass out in the feces and can infect fleas or small prey animals. Tapeworms are found in around 20% of cats.
- Coccidia (Cystoisospora species) – Coccidia are single-celled protozoan parasites that invade the intestinal wall, causing diarrhea especially in kittens. Oocysts shed in the feces can survive for a long time and infect other cats.
These are the most common parasitic threats found when examining cat feces. Kittens and cats with weakened immune systems are especially vulnerable. Regular deworming and flea control is important to reduce parasitic infections.
Transmission of Parasites
One of the main ways parasites are transmitted through cat feces is via the fecal-oral route. Parasites like Toxoplasma gondii, the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis, are shed in the feces of infected cats. Humans or other animals can become infected by ingesting anything contaminated with infected feces, even just by ingesting a small amount from unwashed hands.1
Some common ways parasites can spread through cat feces include:
- Not washing hands after cleaning a litter box and then ingesting the parasites
- Eating unwashed vegetables or fruits that have been contaminated with infected feces
- Drinking water contaminated with cat feces
- Eating undercooked meat from an infected animal
- Accidental ingestion of infected soil or dirt
In addition to fecal-oral transmission, some parasites like Toxoplasma can be spread congenitally from a mother cat to her kittens. Fleas may also play a role in transmission of certain parasites.
Proper hygiene like washing hands and produce, cooking meat thoroughly, and preventing cats from defecating in gardens and sandboxes can help reduce the risk of parasite transmission through cat feces.
Parasite Lifecycles
The two most common parasites found in cats are Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara cati. These parasites go through complex lifecycles involving multiple hosts.
Toxoplasma gondii has a lifecycle that can involve cats, rodents, and birds. Cats become infected by eating infected prey animals containing tissue cysts. The parasite then forms oocysts in the cat’s intestines, which are shed in feces (CDC). After 1-5 days in the environment, the oocysts sporulate and become infectious. Other animals can then ingest sporulated oocysts from contaminated soil, food, or water. In these intermediate hosts, the parasites form tissue cysts, especially in muscle and neural tissue (Attias 2020). If intermediate hosts are eaten by a cat, the lifecycle continues.
Toxocara cati infects cats through larvated eggs from contaminated environments. In cats, the larvae hatch, migrate through tissues, and mature into adults in the intestine. The adult worms mate and produce eggs that are shed in feces. The eggs must spend 2-4 weeks in soil to become infective. If larvated eggs are ingested by a cat, the lifecycle repeats (CDC).
Environmental Persistence
Many parasites can survive for extended periods of time outside of a host in feces and the environment. According to the CDC, toxoplasma parasites in cat feces become infective 1-5 days after being passed and can survive for many months in the environment1. Whipworm eggs are extremely hardy and can survive outside a host for up to 5 years before maturing and becoming infective2.
Roundworm eggs can survive in favorable environmental conditions for months to years. Hookworm larvae can survive up to 10-14 days in the environment. Giardia cysts can remain infective in water sources for months. Coccidia oocysts can survive for years in soil and grass.
In summary, many feline parasites have evolved to be extremely hardy and long-lived in the outside environment and feces as a survival mechanism to find a new host. Proper disinfection methods are essential to kill parasites and prevent transmission.
Disinfection Methods
To prevent the spread of parasites from cat feces, it is important to properly disinfect any areas or objects contaminated by cat waste. The CDC recommends the following methods for disinfection:
For surfaces like floors and counters, use bleach diluted with water to make a 10% bleach solution. Apply the solution and let it sit for 10 minutes before wiping up. Be sure to wear gloves when handling bleach. Vinegar can also be used but may not kill some parasite eggs.
For cleaning litter boxes, dump out feces and flush down the toilet. Then scrub the box with soap and hot water before disinfecting with the 10% bleach solution. Rinse thoroughly and allow to fully dry before refilling with litter.
Wash any bedding, toys, dishes, or other objects exposed to cat feces in hot, soapy water. For washable items, running them through the hot cycle in the washing machine will kill parasites. Disinfect any non-washable items with the bleach solution.
When cleaning up feces from any surface, wear gloves and avoid direct contact. Place feces in a plastic bag, seal tightly, and dispose of in the regular trash. Immediately wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after cleanup.
Vacuuming can spread parasites through the air, so try to avoid vacuuming areas contaminated by cat feces. If vacuuming is necessary, wear a dust mask and clean/replace vacuum filters afterward.
By properly disinfecting and cleaning litter boxes, surfaces, bedding, and other items, the risk of parasite transmission from cat feces can be greatly reduced. Be sure to take precautions during cleanup and wash hands afterwards.
Source: CDC
Protecting Humans
There are several steps humans can take to avoid contracting parasites from cats:
- Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling cat litter, cleaning litter boxes, or touching cats who go outdoors. Scrub under fingernails as parasites eggs can collect there.
- Wear gloves when cleaning litter boxes and wash hands afterwards. Disinfect litter scoops and boxes regularly.
- Have cats regularly tested and treated for parasites by a veterinarian. Stick to prescribed treatment plans to fully eliminate parasites.
- Keep cats indoors to prevent exposure to parasite eggs and infected rodents/animals. This also prevents environmental contamination.
- Clean fruits and vegetables thoroughly, as outdoor cats may use gardens as litter boxes.
- Avoid contact with cat feces in yards or sandboxes where cats go. Cover sandboxes when not in use.
- Pregnant women should take extra care to avoid exposure, as some parasites can be harmful to the fetus.
Following basic hygiene and limiting cats’ outdoor access reduces the risk of humans contracting parasites. Veterinary care and proper treatment of cats is also essential. If concerned about exposure, see a doctor for parasite testing.
Protecting Other Animals
One of the biggest risks of parasites in cats is that they can spread to other pets in the household. According to the CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/toxocariasis/prevent.html), controlling parasite infections in cats and dogs is key to reducing the spread. Here are some tips to prevent transmission to other pets:
Clean up feces promptly – Feces infected with parasites should be removed from the yard immediately to prevent spread. Wear gloves when handling.
De-worm regularly – Work with your vet to keep your cat on a regular deworming schedule. Treating according to label directions can break the parasite lifecycle.
Limit access to feces – Use covered litterboxes and clean frequently. Pick up dog waste promptly from the yard. Supervise outdoor time.
Isolate infected animals – House cats infected with parasites separately until treated to avoid direct or indirect fecal-oral transmission.
Practice good hygiene – Wash hands after handling pets or cleaning areas. Disinfect food/water bowls between uses. Control intermediate hosts like fleas and rodents.
Test new pets – Have stool samples checked for parasites before introducing any new animals to the household.
Veterinary Care
Preventing and treating parasites in cats requires a partnership between pet owners and veterinarians. Veterinarians play a key role in managing parasites by:
Performing fecal tests to check for intestinal parasites. Fecal tests allow vets to identify parasites and provide proper treatment. Kittens should be tested with multiple fecal exams before adoption, and adult cats screened 1-4 times per year depending on risk factors (CAPC).
Prescribing monthly parasite prevention medication. Broad-spectrum parasite preventives containing compounds like selamectin, milbemycin, or moxidectin help control internal and external parasites when given year-round (AAHA).
Educating clients on risks, prevention, and control. Vets advise owners on monthly preventatives, environmental control, zoonotic risks, and monitoring pets for signs of parasites.
Treating active parasitic infections. If cats are diagnosed with parasites through fecal testing or symptoms, vets provide medications like fenbendazole, praziquantel, or topical formulations to eliminate the parasites.
Performing wellness checks and diagnostics. During annual exams and sick visits, vets visually check cats for signs of external parasites and take blood tests to uncover hidden parasitic diseases.
Veterinary care is crucial for keeping cats parasite-free. By partnering with a trusted vet, owners can protect their pets and families from the risks of parasitic infestations (Metro Vet).
Conclusion
In summary, parasites like Toxoplasma gondii can live in cat feces for over a year if conditions are right. The main way humans get infected is by accidentally ingesting contaminated cat feces, through contact with contaminated soil, food, or water. The parasite causes the disease toxoplasmosis which can have mild flu-like symptoms in healthy adults but more severe effects in pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals. Proper hygiene like washing hands after cleaning the litter box, keeping cats indoors, and thoroughly washing fruits and vegetables can help prevent infection. If you are pregnant or immunocompromised, it’s best to avoid changing the litter box. While the parasites can persist in the environment, proper precautions can reduce the risk of transmission to humans and other animals.