How can I tell if my cat has worms?

Common intestinal worms

The most common intestinal worms found in cats are roundworms and tapeworms.

Roundworms

Roundworms are long, pale worms that can resemble pieces of spaghetti. Cats can become infected by swallowing worm eggs from contaminated soil, hunting infected prey or, in the case of kittens, through their mother’s milk. Roundworms live inside the intestines and can be spotted in cat poop or vomit.

Tapeworms

Tapeworms are long, flat worms made up of multiple segments. Cats commonly become infected with tapeworms after swallowing infected fleas while grooming. Hunting and eating infected rodents may also expose cats to certain species of tapeworm.

Rather than seeing an entire tapeworm, owners are more likely to notice individual segments. These can look similar to grains of rice and may appear around the cat’s bottom, on bedding or as worms in litter tray areas.

Because different parasites may require different active ingredients to be killed, it is important to use a cat wormer that is suitable for the particular type of worm your cat may have.

What do worms look like?

The appearance of worms depends on which worms your cat has.

Take a look at what roundworms and tapeworms look like here!

Worm eggs are microscopic, meaning they usually can’t be seen with the naked eye. A veterinary faecal examination may be needed to identify worm eggs and certain infections.

Kittens with significant roundworm infections may develop a particularly noticeable pot-bellied appearance. Click here to find out How to Get Rid Of Worms In Kittens.

However, many cats with worms show few or no obvious signs. This is one reason preventative worm treatment can be important rather than waiting until worms become visible.

Fleas may also provide a clue. Because some tapeworms are transmitted through infected fleas, a cat with fleas may also be at risk of tapeworm infection. Effective flea control and worm control may therefore need to be considered together.

If you are unsure whether your cat has worms, speak to your vet. They may recommend examining a faecal sample or using an appropriate dewormer medication based on your cat’s risk factors.

Can fleas give my cat worms?

Fleas can give your cat tapeworms if your cat swallows a flea. Your cat can easily swallow a flea if they are infected and are licking or scratching. Fleas usually carry tapeworms so once swallowed, the worms infest your cat’s gut. So it’s important to treat cat for fleas, as well as worms if you suspect they have fleas. Try Itch Flea Treatment for Cats, it kills adult fleas in 24 hours and targets flea eggs and larvae to stop an infestation quickly!

Will worms go away on their own?

In most cases, you should not expect cat worms to simply disappear without treatment. Especially for cats that regularly hunt or spend time outdoors because they are likely to be exposed to worms repeatedly.

Adult worms can continue living inside the intestines and producing eggs or segments, which may contaminate your cat’s environment and contribute to reinfection. 

To get rid of worms instantly use a cat wormer medication to remove existing parasites, and protect your cat from future infestations. Continue giving your cat regular worming treatment to prevent worms.

Cleaning the litter tray frequently can also reduce environmental contamination. Remove faeces promptly, wash the tray regularly and wash your hands afterwards.

If fleas are present, treat them at the same time. Because cats can acquire tapeworms by swallowing infected fleas, getting flea control right can be an important part of helping to get rid of worms and preventing them from returning.

Can my cat give me worms?

Yes, humans can get worms from cats but only via ingesting the worms. Roundworms can be transmitted when microscopic eggs from infected cat faeces contaminate soil, hands or surfaces and are accidentally swallowed. You can also become infected with certain tapeworms, but this isn’t common. You would have to accidentally swallow an infected flea. Possible, but unlikely. 

Children may be at greater risk because they are more likely to play in soil or sand and then put their hands near their mouths.

Are worms harmful to humans?

Some cat worms can cause health problems in people, although serious infections are relatively uncommon in the UK. 

Roundworms are the most common worms in humans and are spread by accidentally swallowing microscopic eggs found in contaminated soil, food, or water.

How do I know if I have worms? 

Look for physical signs in your stool, worm segments can show up in your poop. 

You might get intense night time anal itching and issues with your digestion that last more than two weeks. 

Keep an eye on your weight, usually worms absorb all of the nutrients from your food so when you have a worm infection, you eat more but tend to lose weight. This can differ from person to person, find out more on human worm symptoms via NHS. 

Should human adults deworm?

The best approach is prevention. Dispose of cat faeces promptly, clean litter trays regularly and practise good hand hygiene. Children’s sandpits should also be covered when not in use to prevent cats from using them as toilets.

If you notice worms in cat poop, worms in litter tray waste, unexplained weight loss, vomiting or other unusual symptoms, speak to your vet. They can help determine which parasite may be involved and recommend the most suitable worm treatment to get rid of worms safely and effectively.