What To Do When Your Cat Has Worms

A Foreign Body Injuring The Intestinal Wall

Sometimes bloody stools in cats are due to the presence of a foreign body in their digestive tract, the movements of which injure the intestinal wall. It can be a piece of plastic, a badly digested bone, a needle, etc

The blood which escapes from the wounds caused will mix with the excrements of the cat, causing their coloring. In most cases, the presence of a foreign body will be accompanied by abdominal pain, loss of appetite, transit problems and requires urgent surgery to relieve the animal.

Effective Home Remedies For Worms In Cats

If youve got a cat, youre going to have to deal with parasites. Im not saying its inevitable but if you dont believe me, just look at my two month old kittens who had worms. It was quite a shock for me when I saw those wiggly things under their tail.

I know that vets can offer deworming pills that are safe and effective- but there is always the concern about toxicity of cat dewormer and how much your pet will like taking them each day. Luckily, I am here today to offer 6 homemade cat remedies for dealing with parasites!

The Common Types Of Worms That Infect Cats Are The Following:

1. Roundworms

Also known as Toxocara cati or Toxascaris leonina,; this is usually the common type of worm that affects cats. Its usually 2 to 4 inches long and looks like spaghetti strands with tapered ends. This type of worm is zoonotic, which means it can be transferred to humans thereby causing an infection called Visceral larva migrans, an inflammation of muscle tissues.

2. Hookworms;

Also known as Ancylostoma tubaeforme, this blood-sucking intestinal parasite can cause anemia, and even death, in cats. These slender and thread-like worms are hardly noticeable by the naked eye since its less than a half-inch in length. Hookworms attach to the cats intestinal tract, moves through the digestive tract, and excreted in the feces.;

3. Tapeworms;

Also known as Dipylidium caninum, this type of worm has a long and falt body and comprised of small and white-colored segments. Cats usually get tapeworms by ingesting fleas. Tapeworms cant be directly transmitted from cats to humans since fleas must be involved in the lifecycle process.;

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Diatomaceous Earth Kills Worms

Do you know what;diatomaceous earth;is? Its a type of rock formed by the fossilized remains of organisms called diatoms. But how could some rock be an effective cat worms treatment?

Well, diatomaceous earth has sharp edges even when grounded. As such, when you add it to your cats food, it cuts into the parasites living in your cats digestive system.

To use diatomaceous earth for killing worms, you should add two teaspoons of it into wet food and give it to your cat. Feed your cat wet mixed with diatomaceous earth for at least 30 days. However, make sure that you get food-grade diatomaceous earth.

Which Worming Products To Use

There are many different worming products available on the market, and drug availability varies between different countries. While worming products may be available from pet shops and even some supermarkets, these are often old or less effective products and some are even less safe to use in cats.

It is always better to seek the advice of your vet, who will know what types of worms occur commonly where you live, and will be able to recommend the most effective and safest treatments for your cat. Additionally, some treatments are available which may be easier to administer, such as an injection that your vet can give, a tiny tablet that can go in with food, or even some drops that can be applied to the skin.

See also our information on how to give your cat a tablet.

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Observe Some Preventive Measures

These include, for example, measures to:

• Avoid constipation which can irritate your cat’s lower gastrointestinal tract. Make sure it is well hydrated, moisten its food or alternate between dry and wet food.
• Favor quality foods suitable for your cat in order to limit cases of intolerance that can irritate his digestive tract.
• Worm your little feline regularly to protect it against parasites and intestinal worms.

Identifying The Type Of Worm

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What Cats Are At Risk For Roundworms

The cats who are most at risk for roundworms are kittens and cats who hunt, but any cat can get roundworms from an owners shoe or by playing with bugs that drag their bellies on the ground and pick up the eggs, Dr. Taylor says. Outdoor cats get them from contaminated soil, hunting or playing with bugs.

Parsley Water Is A Natural Dewormer

Another home remedy for parasites in cats is parsley water. Parsley is a herb that has some anti-parasitic properties that will kill the worms inside your cat. Moreover, parsley has a pleasant taste, and most cats dont mind it.

So, get some fresh parsley leaves and boiling water. Add the leaves to the water, and then let them steep for 10 minutes. After that, you should strain the liquid and wait for it to cool. Then add one teaspoon to your cats food and feed it once a day.

Do not continue the treatment for too many days because too much parsley water can harm your cats kidneys.

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Why Is Cat Deworming Important

Just the thought of your cat having worms is gross and disconcerting. No one wants their cuddly fur-baby – that sleeps where they sleep – to have worms. Most importantly, deworming your cat is important because of the negative health impact an infestation can have on your cat. Having worms can vary from just being annoying to life-threatening. Kittens and cats that are medically compromised or fragile with age are vulnerable to health issues from worms. They can get anemia or become severely dehydrated from vomiting and diarrhea. Kittens can have so many worms that they can not pass them through the GI tract, and that can cause an intestinal blockage, a fatal condition. Infected kittens that are not dewormed can also have their growth and development negatively impacted. Healthy adult cats rarely have significant health issues from having worms, but they are at risk enough to say they need to be dewormed.

Can Humans Be Infected By The Worms

Some types of worms can be spread between cats and people. For example, the eggs from some of the roundworms can be ingested accidentally, with the result that the egg may hatch and the larva then migrate out of the bowel and lodge in the tissues of our bodies. Whilst this is not common, there are reports of a few children having eaten the eggs and suffering eye damage and even blindness as a result. As the eggs are also left in the soil when an infected cat does its toilet, it is always advised to wear gloves when gardening.

The common tapeworms are much less likely to infect humans, however yet again this can occur, and is most likely to be the result of an infected flea being swallowed.

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Which Intestinal Worms Infect Cats

There are several types of intestinal worms that can infect cats, each with its own set of unique features, Jessica Nichols, DVM, chief veterinary officer of Spay and Neuter Kansas City in Kansas City, Mo, says. Here are the three most common parasites:

Roundworms. Roundworms are long, brown round worms that look like cooked spaghetti, Nichols says. She adds that theyre the most common intestinal parasite in kittens, and kittens are infected more often than adults.;

Tapeworms. Tapeworms are long, white, flat, segmented parasites with hook-like mouth parts that they use to attach themselves to the intestinal walls of cats. Segments of adult tapeworms will break off and end up in the infected cats poop. These proglottids look like grains of rice that move, and they are commonly seen in the poop or around the rear end of infected cats, Nichols says. They eventually break open and release tapeworm eggs into the environment.;

Hookworms. Nichols says that hookworms are less common in cats than roundworms and tapeworms, which is good because theyre particularly nasty parasites. Unlike other worms that eat food and drink materials floating around the cats intestines, hookworms hook their teeth into the small intestines and suck blood, she says.;

Whipworms. These can infect the intestines of cats, but according to the Companion Animal Parasite Council, this rarely happens in North America. Feline whipworms are more common in tropical regions.;

Worms In Cats Symptoms Causes And Treatments

Posted on 08.05.19 by PetGP

Worms in Cats. Symptoms, Causes and treatments.Worms in cats and kittens are very common, and whilst they might be a concern to owners, they do not usually have serious consequences and are easy to treat.Our guide contains expert advice from qualified and registered veterinary nurses to help you choose the best course of action for your pet and help answer your question does my cat have worms and how do I prevent and treat them?

Symptoms of worms & common causes of wormsSymptoms and presenting signs

• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath

Worms are very common in cats, with the most frequently seen intestinal types being roundworms and tapeworms. Worms can be picked up in a variety of ways.

Common causes

• Swallowing larvae from mothers milk
• Eating infected prey
• Having fleas and swallowing them whilst grooming
• Picking up worms or larvae from faeces whilst outside
• Contact with slugs or snails

Tapeworms are transmitted to cats by fleas. Immature fleas ingest the worm eggs and infection is passed on to a dog when it swallows an infected flea. This is one of the reasons why its important to treat your cat for fleas as well as for worms.

Roundworm larvae start by infecting a cats intestinal tract, but they can burrow their way into other tissues and organs.

• Worms in older cats

• Worms in younger cats

• Tablets
• Pastes
• Spot-on treatments

or telephone the PetGP nurse on 0333 332 7883

Frequently asked questions about worms in cats

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Is It Possible For My Cat To Catch Worms If It Stays Inside

It is, as you probably think, much less likely that your cat will catch worms if it stays inside your home. This is why we advise you to keep cats inside your home to them safe .

That said, you may wonder How did my indoor cat get worms?

It only takes a little mouse that sneaks into your house, the visiting dog that brings in fleas, or your tomcat that runs away between your paws, for it to become at-risk.

Clean Out The Litter Boxes And Keep Them Clean

Your biggest focus should be the litter boxes, especially if youre fighting a roundworms infestation. These worms are often transmitted through feces, and that means keeping a clean house here is important.

After your cats are treated, you should begin by scrubbing out the litter box thoroughly with a solution of hot water and bleach to kill any leftover tapeworm or roundworm eggs.

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How To Detect Helminths In Cats

With such unpredictable harm, its essential to find out if your cat has worms or not. Sometimes the very initial findings will help you quickly deal with its condition as well as the timely intervention of a veterinarian before its too late.

The initial symptoms will be quite unclear, so you need to consider carefully because only a few negligence, can make false assessments.

Pumpkin Seeds Destroy Tapeworms

Im sure youre wondering how something as simple as;pumpkin seeds;can be effective against parasites. As it turns out, pumpkin seeds contain a compound that paralyzes parasites and helps the body to eliminate them. They are especially effective against tapeworms.

Pumpkin seeds are also very easy to use. You just have to grind some raw pumpkin seeds and then add 1/4 of a cup to your cats wet food. Make sure that you mix them well with the food, or your kitty might not be tempted to eat them. Continue this for at least a week and ensure that your cat has access to fresh water.

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Preventing Cat Intestinal Parasites

When it comes to intestinal parasites, prevention is the best medicine. Certain monthly flea, tick, and heartworm preventives also protect your cat against certain intestinal parasites . Talk to your veterinarian about the best parasite prevention for your cat.

Whichever preventative you choose, use it year-round and follow the instructions carefully.

Is There More Than One Type Of Tapeworm

There are two types of tapeworm. The most common, and the one discussed throughout this article, is known scientifically as dipylidium caninum, explains the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

The other type which is far more dangerous and far more rare is called Echinococcus. According to the CDC, cystic echinococcosis is caused by infection with the larval stage of a tapeworm called hydatid worm, or Echinococcus granulosus, which is found in dogs, sheep, cattle, goats, and pigs.

“Although most infections in humans are asymptomatic, CE causes harmful, slowly enlarging cysts in the liver, lungs, and other organs that often grow unnoticed and neglected for years,” the CDC reports.

Another type of tapeworm is called Echinococcus multilocularis, and can cause a disease called Alveolar echinococcosis . This tapeworm is found in foxes, coyotes, dogs, cats, and small rodents. Human cases are rare but very seriouscausing parasitic tumors that can form in the liver, lungs, brain, and other organs. AE can be fatal if it isn’t treated, according to the CDC. But that, thankfully, is rare. In fact, a study published by the PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases found only forty-one echinococcosis-related deaths in the United States between 1990 and 2007.

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How To Prevent Worms In Cats

Worm infestations in cats and transmission to children and adults can be prevented through good hygiene practices and the year-round use of heartworm, intestinal worm, and parasite prevention.

For indoor cats, cleaning the litter box on a daily basis, as well as changing out the litter and scrubbing the litter box on a regular basis is vital for minimizing exposure to contaminated feces.

For outdoor cats, regularly scooping feces from the yard, sandbox, and flower beds will minimize the potential for propagation of the parasite life cycle.

Featured Image: Shutterstock/Sakolnap

How Your Cat Can Get Worms

There are several ways that your cat can get worms, including:

• If your cat goes outside, one of the following: worms, worm eggs, or fleas carrying worm eggs can get caught on your cat’s coat. The cat can then ingest the eggs while grooming themselves or grooming other cats, says Travis Arndt, DVM, Medical Director at the Animal Medical Center of Mid-America.
• Kittens often get infected through breast milk when their mothers have a dormant case of worms, says Nichols.;
• “Some worms are also found in muscle tissue of infected animals, so cats who hunt or are fed raw meat products can ingest worms through their diet,” McNabb says.

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Why Do We Need To Deworm Cats

This is the origin of all the stories we are discussing in this article. Taking care of pets, including cats, is a job that requires a lot of work. And each stage plays a different role. Deworming is very important if you want your cat to be in good health and grow healthy.

• Deworming is necessary to prevent any worms from attacking your cat. Cats are very susceptible to the types of helminths such as hookworms, pinworms, threadworms, tapeworms, etc. These worms live inside the animals body, causing intestinal and digestive diseases such as respiratory, vomiting, loss of appetite, weight loss, weakness, or even death.
• Deworming also prevents zoonosis like Toxocra infection. AS worms are not only dangerous for cats but also the risk of transmitting the infection to humans and other pets when handled without treatment.

Therefore, it is necessary to conduct the periodic inspection and deworming for cats to eliminate the parasitic worm problems in them.