Parasites are always bad news for our pets, and they’re more common than many people think. Even cats who stay entirely indoors are at risk. These parasites can show up in your cat’s poop, cause stomach problems, or just make your cat feel off.

So, if you’ve noticed your best friend acting strangely or showing even the subtlest signs of discomfort, worms might be the problem. 

In this guide, we’ll show you the basics. From the types of worms cats can expect, all the way to how to prevent them. 

What Are the Common Worms in Cats?

Worms are parasites that live inside a cat’s body. They feed off your cat’s nutrients and can cause diseases. Along with this, they can cause irritation and organ damage, which is a severe complication. Here are the common worms in cats: 

Roundworms

Roundworms are the most common parasitic worms in cats. The worms themselves look like long, white, spaghetti-like parasites. They are about 3 to 5 inches long. 

These worms live in the cat’s intestines, where they steal nutrients. They are particularly prevalent in kittens, mostly because of their underdeveloped immune systems. Since they interfere with nutrient absorption, they can also get in the way of a cat’s growth and energy levels. 

Cats can get roundworms by ingesting the eggs from contaminated environments, such as soil, feces, and organic matter. They can also get them from eating infected prey, which can be a concern if your cat frequently goes outside. 

Additionally, infected mothers can pass the larvae to their kittens through their milk during nursing. The usual symptoms of roundworms in cats are: 

• Bloated or swollen belly

• Vomiting and diarrhea

• Lethargy and weight loss

• Poor coat condition

• Visible worms in the stool

Tapeworms

Tapeworms are also a common parasite in cats. They are flat, segmented worms that attach to the walls of the small intestine. While they can grow long, the multiple segments, called proglottids, can break off. These look like grains of rice and are often seen in your cat’s feces. 

Because they reside within the cat’s small intestines, they pose a significant problem for growth and development. So, even though your cat is eating normally, they can still lose a considerable amount of weight and energy. 

Cats can get tapeworms by swallowing fleas while grooming themselves. They can also get these parasites by eating infected raw meat and prey. Mother cats can also pass tapeworms through the placenta or milk. 

The signs of a tapeworm infection in cats include:

• Small, white segments in poop or near the anus

• Scooting or licking of the rear

• Increased appetite without weight gain

• Mild gastrointestinal issues

• Restlessness and discomfort

Hookworms

Hookworms are another type of worm in cats. These are small and thin worms, just about half an inch. They attach to the cat’s intestinal lining by using their signature hook-like mouthparts. Unlike other types, these worms feed on your cat’s blood. Hookworms are also common in kittens.

Because these parasitic worms in cats feed on blood, they are extremely dangerous. When untreated, this can result in significant blood loss and anemia. 

Cats can get hookworms mainly by ingesting them in the environment. Since the eggs are shed in the feces, contaminated water, soil, and feces are huge concerns. A cat can get infected by walking into contaminated spaces and then grooming itself.

Cats can also get these parasites by consuming infected animals. Additionally, hookworms can also be transmitted through the milk of their mothers.

Common signs include: 

• Pale gums or tongue

• Bloody or dark stool

• Weight loss despite normal appetite

• Weakness, low energy, and lethargy

• Poor coat condition

Whipworms

Whipworms are thin, whip-shaped worms that live in the large intestine and cecum. The cecum is an area where the small and large intestines meet.

They cause inflammation and irritation, which can lead to chronic gastrointestinal problems for cats. While they aren’t as prevalent as other types of worms in cats, these parasitic worms are still deadly. 

Cats can get whipworms by ingesting the eggs through contaminated feces, water, and soil. They can also get them by grooming after they have been exposed to contaminated areas. Whipworm eggs are hardy and can survive for long periods in the environment.

The usual signs of whipworms in cats include:

• Vomiting and discomfort

• Diarrhea with mucus or blood

• Abdominal pain

• Dehydration

• Anemia and lethargy

How Do Vets Check for Worms in Cats?

The only way to know for sure if your cat has worms is to test for them. In most cases, this means a trip to the clinic and a few fecal exams. Since the worms reside in the intestinal area, their eggs will be shed in the feces. 

The sample can be collected at home or during the physical exam at the clinic. The most common method vets use is a fecal flotation test. Here, your cat’s stool sample will be mixed with a special solution that lets the eggs of the worms float up to the surface. 

This works since the solution is denser than the parasite’s eggs. A coverslip is then placed to collect the eggs. This is examined under a microscope. While there are other methods, this is the most straightforward test to determine parasitic worms in cats. It’s also highly reliable and effective.