Finding something unusual in the litter box or around your cat’s rear end can be concerning, especially when you are not sure what you are seeing. In this UrgentVet guide, our experts cover what to know about worms in cats, including the types of parasitic worms, causes of infection, signs, symptoms and treatment options.
- Worms in cats are common, particularly in kittens and cats that hunt or spend time outdoors.
- When it comes to cat worm infections, most are treatable once a veterinarian identifies the parasite and prescribes the right medication.
- Some worms are visible in stool or fur, while others can only be found through testing.
Here is what to look for and what to do next.
Types of Worms in Cats
Exactly what types of worms do cats get? The different worm types vary in appearance, how they spread, and the problems they cause. Cats can also carry more than one parasite at a time, so appearance alone is not enough to confirm a diagnosis.
Roundworms
Roundworms are among the most common intestinal parasites in cats, especially kittens. They are cream-colored, several inches long, and often compared to spaghetti. They may appear in stool or vomit.
Cats can become infected through contaminated soil or feces, infected prey, or their mother’s milk. Heavy infections may cause vomiting, diarrhea, poor growth, weight loss. For a cat with worms, belly shape can also be a red flag – an unusually rounded shape may be seen in kittens.
Hookworms
Hookworms in cats are small parasites that attach to the intestinal lining and feed on blood. They are generally too small to see in stool and are usually found through fecal testing.
Significant infections can cause anemia, pale gums, weakness, dark stool, or poor growth. Kittens may become seriously ill more quickly than adult cats.
Whipworms
Whipworms are uncommon in cats in North America and are rarely visible in stool. When infection occurs, symptoms may include diarrhea, mucus or blood in the stool, weight loss, and straining.
Tapeworms
Tapeworms in cats are flat parasites made up of small segments. These segments may appear around a cat’s anus, in bedding, or on fresh stool and often resemble grains of rice. Dried segments may look like sesame seeds.
Many reports of small white worms in cats are actually tapeworm segments. Cats usually become infected after swallowing a flea or eating infected prey.
Other Types of Cat Worms
Cats may also develop the following types of worms:
- Heartworms, transmitted by mosquitoes
- Lungworms, which can cause coughing or breathing problems
- Bladder worms, which may contribute to urinary symptoms
- Liver flukes, acquired by eating certain infected prey
These parasites require different testing and treatment. Ringworm, despite its name, is a fungal infection rather than a worm.
How Do Cats Get Worms?
A cats exposure to worms can happen in several ways. Indoor cats have a lower risk than outdoor cats, but they are not completely protected.
Common routes and causes of parasitic worm infection in felines include:
- Nursing from an infected mother: Kittens can acquire roundworm larvae through their mother’s milk if she is infected.
- Contact with contaminated feces or soil: Microscopic eggs and larvae may be present in litter, soil, shared outdoor areas, or on paws and fur.
- Swallowing fleas: Cats can ingest infected fleas while grooming, leading to tapeworm infection.
- Hunting or eating raw prey: Rodents, birds, insects, reptiles, and other animals can carry immature parasites.
- Skin penetration: Certain hookworm larvae may enter through the skin.
- Mosquito bites: Mosquitoes transmit heartworm larvae.
- Shared environments: Shelters, multi-cat homes, and areas with poor sanitation may increase exposure.
Promptly removing feces and keeping your cat on veterinarian-recommended parasite prevention can reduce these risks.
How To Tell If Your Cat Has Worms
The signs of worms in cats depend on the parasite and the severity of the infection. Some cats show no obvious symptoms, which is why routine fecal testing is important.
Potential Signs & Symptoms of Worms in Cats
Possible symptoms of worms in cats include:
- Visible worms in cat poop, vomit, bedding, or fur
- Rice-like segments or white worms in cat poop
- Diarrhea, mucus, or blood in the stool
- Vomiting, sometimes with visible roundworms
- A swollen abdomen, especially in kittens
- Weight loss or poor growth
- A dull or rough coat
- Scooting or frequent licking near the anus
- Pale gums, weakness, or low energy
- Coughing or breathing changes
- Reduced appetite
If you are wondering, “How do I know if my cat has worms?” remember that many parasites often cannot be seen. Hookworms are microscopic, and tapeworm eggs may not appear in every stool sample.
When to Get Emergency and Urgent Vet Care
Seek prompt care if your cat has pale gums, severe weakness, repeated vomiting, black or heavily bloody stool, breathing difficulty, or loss of appetite. Young kittens can decline especially quickly.
How Veterinarians Diagnose Worms in Cats
Your veterinarian will ask about symptoms, outdoor access, flea prevention, hunting, and previous deworming. Bring a fresh stool sample if requested, along with a photo or safely contained sample of anything unusual you found.
A fecal test can identify many parasite eggs, although repeat or specialized testing may sometimes be needed. Bloodwork or imaging may be recommended if your veterinarian suspects anemia, heartworms, lungworms, or another complication.
Rice-like material, mucus, food, and insect larvae can sometimes be mistaken for cat worms, making proper testing worthwhile.
Treatment for Worms in Cats
Determining how to treat worms in cats depends on the specific parasite. No single medication reliably treats every type, and products intended for dogs or livestock can be dangerous for cats.
Cat worm treatment may include:
- Prescription dewormers given orally, topically, or by injection
- Repeat doses to address different stages of the parasite’s life cycle
- Flea treatment to prevent tapeworm reinfection
- Fluids or nausea medication for cats with digestive symptoms
- Treatment for anemia in severe blood-loss cases
- Follow-up fecal testing to confirm the infection has cleared
When researching how to get rid of worms in cats, do not choose a product based only on what the parasite looks like. The correct medication and dose depend on the species, your cat’s weight, age, and overall health.
Cat Recovery and Management From Parasitic Worm Infections
Most cats recover well after receiving the correct medication. Symptoms may improve within several days, though repeat doses may be needed to fully clear the infection.
During recovery:
- Give every dose as prescribed.
- Scoop litter boxes daily.
- Wash contaminated bedding.
- Maintain flea prevention.
- Attend recommended rechecks.
- Keep your cat indoors and discourage hunting.
- Wash your hands after handling litter or feces.
Contact the clinic if symptoms worsen or parasites remain visible after the expected treatment period.
Prevention of Worms in Cats
Routine prevention of worms in cats can reduce the risk of infection and catch parasites before they cause noticeable illness.
- Use veterinarian-recommended parasite and flea prevention.
- Keep cats indoors when possible.
- Remove stool from litter boxes daily.
- Avoid feeding raw meat.
- Discourage hunting.
- Follow kitten deworming schedules.
- Include fecal testing in regular veterinary care.
Annual testing may be appropriate for many adult cats, while kittens and cats with greater outdoor exposure may need more frequent screening.
Need Veterinary Assistance? Find an UrgentVet Near You!
Cat worms are usually treatable, but guessing at the parasite can delay the right care. UrgentVet can examine your cat, arrange appropriate testing, and recommend a treatment plan.
Find your nearest UrgentVet location to walk in or check in online. Cats with collapse, pale gums, severe weakness, breathing trouble, repeated vomiting, or heavy blood loss should be taken directly to an emergency veterinary hospital.
FAQs About Cat Worms & What To Do
How Do You Get Rid of Worms in Cats Naturally?
There is no proven natural remedy that safely eliminates all feline worms. Garlic, essential oils, herbs, and homemade treatments may be ineffective or toxic. Veterinary testing and a cat-safe dewormer are the most reliable options.
What Do Cat Worms Look Like?
Roundworms resemble pale spaghetti, while tapeworm segments look like grains of rice near the anus or in stool. Hookworms and whipworms are usually not visible. If you’re worried about possible white worms in cats, take a photo or sample to your veterinarian.
Can Humans Get Worms From Cats?
Some roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms can infect people. The greatest risks involve contact with contaminated feces or soil and swallowing infected fleas. Prompt litter cleanup, handwashing, flea prevention, and veterinary care help protect the household.
How Much Does It Cost to Deworm a Cat?
Costs vary based on the clinic, testing, medication, parasite, and severity of the infection. A routine case may require an exam, fecal test, and medication, while a sick or anemic cat may need additional care.
What Happens if Worms in Cats Go Untreated?
Untreated worms can cause diarrhea, vomiting, poor growth, weight loss, anemia, or intestinal damage. Heavy infections can be dangerous for kittens and medically fragile cats, and some parasites may spread to other pets or people.
Can I Deworm My Cat at Home?
Pet parents researching how to deworm a cat at home may be able to give prescribed medication themselves, but a veterinarian should select the product and dose. Over-the-counter treatments may not address the parasite your cat actually has.
What Are the First Signs My Cat Has Worms?
Early cat worms symptoms may include soft stool, a rounded belly, scooting, a dull coat, or small segments near the anus. Some infected cats appear healthy, making routine fecal testing important.
Photographer: Fhotodrozd / Shutterstock
