Cats are much loved members of the family and so their health and well-being are always at the forefront of our mind. Worms are a common health issue in our cats and as RAMAs, we know the importance of giving routine treatment to help prevent worms, which can cause serious health risks in cats and humans. And hunting cats are at increased risk.

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That said, there are many factors in a cat getting worms. As we know, worms are internal parasites that live in the intestinal tract of the pet. Worming is an essential part of the cat’s well-being and subsequently it is always good practice to remind even indoor cat owners that their cat may need to be wormed on a regular basis. 

Quick recap: Different types of worms

There are two main groups of parasites that are common in cats, these are tapeworms and roundworms, both live in the intestinal tract. 

Tapeworms

Tapeworms can be easily identified as they are flat, “tape-like” worms. They have a scolex (head), which attaches itself to the wall of the gut by hooks. Tapeworms also have segments which contain eggs, and it is when these segments break off and are passed out in the faeces, that problems can escalate. These segments – which look like grains of rice – can be visible in the faeces, around the cat’s anus and can be seen on the bedding. 

Roundworms 

These are also common internal parasites; the most important is known as Toxocara cati – these look like spaghetti and can grow up to 10cm in length.

How are worms transmitted?

Cats can pick up worms in a variety of ways, most commonly from other infected animals, by eating the eggs of the worm or by consuming infected prey. The lifecycle can have a major impact on how worms are transmitted to pets.

Tapeworms

In the environment, the tapeworm needs a host to complete its lifecycle. Each segment of the tapeworm contains eggs, and these segments releases the eggs. However, these eggs must pass through the host to be able to complete the lifecycle. 

  • The host most commonly involved is the flea, although tapeworms transmitted by rodents and even birds are also common. 
  • The flea or other small animal (the intermediate host) eats the larvae of the tapeworm.
  • The intermediate host which contains the (tapeworm) larvae, can then be ingested by the animal during grooming (for fleas) or hunting (other prey animals).
  • The lifecycle continues.

Roundworms

As adult roundworms live in the intestine, their eggs are passed in the faeces. Initially these eggs are not infectious to other cats but turn infectious after several days when the eggs develop into larvae. These can remain in the environment for years.
Roundworms can also be passed through the milk of the mother to her kittens; this is a common route of infection.

However, hunting cats are again at a higher risk because small animals, such as rodents or even birds, can become infected with roundworm larvae. When eaten, the larvae go on to infect the cat. These small animals are sometimes known as “paratenic hosts”.

Lungworms

Lungworm is another growing concern in the UK and cats can pick up infection by eating slugs and snails. Fortunately, they rarely cause serious disease in cats, but if lungworm is prevalent in your area, it is best to discuss options with your vet, as established infection requires careful treatment because the adults live in the heart. To prevent lungworm, a single dose of a non-prescription wormer is not enough.

What are the symptoms of worms?

Worms can show numerous symptoms in kittens and cats.

Should an owner become concerned, then they should speak to their veterinary surgeon. 

Symptoms can show by:

  • If your cat is eating but is thin (apart from a pot-bellied stomach).
  • Constantly hungry.
  • Weight loss.
  • Vomiting and diarrhoea.
  • Irritation around the anus.
  • You may notice the cat is dragging their bottom along the ground, this could be because worms are irritating the anus area.
  • You may see the worms in the faeces.

Worm risk checker for cats

Two main questions to ask yourself as a cat owner is “Does my cat live with children under the age of 5, or at-risk people such as women who are pregnant or are immunocompromised” and “does my cat go outside”. It’s reasonable to assume that all cats who go outside are potentially hunting prey (whether or not we see them – and whether or not we want to think about it!), but they are also at higher risk of picking up worms from the environment where other cats have defecated.

Group one cats: 

This group of cats do not go outside or hunt, and so are at a relatively low risk of worms. However, I would still advise that they should be dewormed four times a year. It is still possible that owners could bring worm eggs and potentially fleas inside the house from shoes.

Group two cats:

This group of cats go outside and are active hunters, so the minimum the cat should be wormed is four times a year. Consider that being active hunters, tapeworm could potentially be an issue and more frequent worming may be required.

And group three cats:

Cats which are active hunters and live with someone who is young, vulnerable or immunocompromised. The cat should be wormed on a much more regular basis to protect the health of all those in the household. 

Best wormers for cats

There are numerous different worming products available for cats, including tablets, liquids, pastes and spot-on treatments. When choosing a wormer for your cat, make sure it treats for both tapeworm and roundworm, and you will be able to give it to your cat easily (i.e., use a spot-on, liquid, or paste if they will not let you give them a tablet.)

Prescription wormers

  • It is best, wherever possible, to use a prescription worming treatment from your vet.
  • If your cat is healthy, has been seen by your vet, and has been prescribed a product, your surgery will be able to dispense a worming treatment without needing to see them. They will just need to know how much they weigh so they can dispense the correct dose.
  • If your cat has not been examined for a while, you may need to book an appointment to see a veterinary surgeon.

Non-prescription wormers

  • There are many different wormers available to buy without a prescription, and they vary a lot, so it is important to know the difference between them.
  • Products that can be bought off the shelf without speaking to someone or answering questions about your cat, tend to be less reliable than ‘NFA-VPS’ products, which can only be sold by a specially qualified person and are stored in locked cupboards. To buy one you will need to answer some questions about your cat, including their weight.

Active hunters run greater risk of infection, as prey animals like rabbits and rodents function as a host for numerous types of roundworms and tapeworms.

Adult animals come across a greater variety of worms and depending on their lifestyle, may need worming once a month or once every three months. If you have indoor cats with restricted access to wildlife and the outdoors, worming every three months as a precaution will be more than enough in most cases, providing that fleas are kept at bay too.

Cats who spend a lot of time outside hunting or love to scavenge while in the garden are more likely to need worming once a month, along with a regular flea treatment.

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