Our cats live closely with our families every day. Keeping them healthy and parasite free is extremely important. Intestinal parasites can occur in any age cat, and several types of intestinal worms infect our housecats. 

Parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and tapeworms cause weight loss, vomiting and diarrhoea, including and other gastrointestinal symptoms. Common tapeworms are a pesky example and require specific treatment and prevention.

What do tapeworms look like? 

Tapeworms are a flat, tape-like shape made up of individual segments which are connected, just like a chain.  
 
Tapeworms are common internal parasites that effect cats. The body consists of a head portion (known as the scolex) and the subsequent segments are known as the proglottids. The entire chain can be up to several centimetres long, with the adult worms reaching up to 30 cm in length. 

The tapeworm uses its hook-like mouthparts to attach to the wall of the small intestine. As the adult matures, individual segments (the proglottids) are passed in the faeces of an infected dog (the proglottids are about 12 mm long and about 3 mm wide).  

Each proglottid is filled with eggs. When ready the whole segment detaches itself from the end of the worm and passes into the faeces or on the coat, looking like small grains of rice.  

Occasionally they can be seen moving on the hairs around the anus, or more commonly, on the surface of freshly passed faeces. As the proglottid dries, it becomes a golden colour and eventually breaks open, releasing the fertilized eggs into the environment.  

What is the lifecycle of the tapeworm? 

Unlike other intestinal parasites, cats cannot become infected by eating a tapeworm egg; tapeworms must first pass through an intermediate host before they can infect the cat.  

When the tapeworm eggs are released into the environment, they must be ingested by this intermediate host. Then a cat ingests the tapeworm infected host. As the host is digested in the cat’s intestine, the tapeworm egg is released; it hatches, and then anchors itself to the intestinal lining, therefore completing the life cycle. 

What are the species of tapeworm? 

In cats, Dipylidium caninum and the Taenia species are the most common. Echinococcus and Mesocestoides are less prevalent in our domestic felines. The two common tapeworm species are transmitted very differently. Let’s talk about how they get them and how to prevent them in your feline friend. 

Dipylidium caninum requires an infected flea for transmission 

The larval form of the tapeworm enters and lives in the stomach of the adult flea, then matures into a cysticercoid. 

When your cat grooms and ingests an infected flea, the tapeworm cysticercoid infects your cat’s small intestine. One of the most common things your vet will check for are fleas. If your cat has fleas, you will need to treat both the flea issue as well as the tapeworm infection. 

Just treating the tapeworm will lead to reinfection if the fleas are not completely eliminated and prevented. There are reliable and safe flea prevention options, so be sure to discuss with your veterinary surgeon or SQP which flea control is best. 

Taenia species infections require that your cat eat part of infected prey 

Typically, this is a rodent such as a mouse or rat, but it could also be a rabbit or a bird. The tapeworm larvae mature into a cysticercoid form and live in the gastrointestinal tract of the rodent. When your feline hunter consumes the rodent, the tapeworm cysticercoid matures and infects the feline small intestine, setting up infection. 

How are tapeworms transmitted? 

Prevention is key to avoid having to give medication for repeated infections. The Dipylidium species requires a flea for transmission, so flea prevention is essential. It can be very difficult to prevent your cat from hunting. 

It is important to discuss keeping all of your pets flea free, as it only takes two hitchhiking fleas from outside to cause a problem! 

Taenia species from ingesting rodents can be trickier if your cat spends time outside, but limiting habitats for rodents can help. 

Make sure to close off areas where pests like to hang out. These include under sheds, protected areas under porches, and unsecured waste receptacles. Provide opportunities to hunt at home, using puzzle feeder and toys that stimulate your cat’s predatory instincts. 

While reports of natural remedies may sound tempting, no reliable or proven over the counter products exist that will eliminate the tapeworm. 

Tapeworms in cats occur if your feline friend is a hunter or acquires a flea infestation. Thankfully, most tapeworm infections don’t cause significant health problems and may be asymptomatic. 

If you see small grains of rice around the tail or in your cat’s faeces, call your veterinarian for an appointment. Tapeworms are treatable with minima side effects and are preventable with good flea prevention and limited access to rodents. 

What are the signs of tapeworm in my cat? 

There may be no external signs of an early infection with tapeworms. One of the first signs may be the presence of tapeworm segments in faeces or around your cats back end – these are often described as ‘looking like moving grains of rice’. 

If tapeworms start to physically affect your dog you may see more advanced signs including: 

  • Diarrhoea 
  • Itching around the anus (scooting and licking) which in time could cause a skin infection. 
  • Lack of energy 
  • Weight loss 
  • Poor skin and coat condition 

If your cat is experiencing any of these signs and you suspect that they might have worms, then you should make an appointment with your vet. 

Can cats vomit tapeworms? 

If there are multiple tapeworms or a heavy infection, a cat may throw up a tapeworm, though this is rare.

Are tapeworms zoonotic? 

As Dipylidium tapeworms are most transmitted by consuming an infected flea in cats, the risk to human health is quite small. We are much less likely to accidentally eat a flea! But it is possible….  

Believe it or not, humans can be affected by these and other tapeworms, although this is more likely to be from another source, such as undercooked meat or accidentally ingesting soil from the garden or unknown areas such as the park.   

Echinococcus granulosus tapeworms are very small (just 2-3mm), and do not cause disease in dogs. They can, however, cause significant disease in humans. An infection can lead to the development of large cysts within the organs – a very dangerous zoonotic problem for humans. 

Between 10-20 cases of this are reported in the UK each year, so it is very rare, but human health protection is an important part as to why vets recommend a thorough protocol to protect your cat from tapeworms. 

If you think you may have been exposed to a tapeworm, always contact your doctor for advice. 

How can I prevent and treat tapeworms in my cat? 

You cannot stop your cat being exposed to tapeworms but there are lots of options for preventing infections and for treating them too.  

Firstly, regular worming treatments are essential. Worming treatments usually come in the form of tablets or spot-ons and may manage a range of parasites including tapeworms.  
 

The best parasite protocol for your cat will depend on you, your cat, your lifestyle and even the season, and your vet and SQP can help you decide which regime works best for you.  

Keeping your cat(s) up to date with flea treatments. This will also help to reduce the risk of fleas infecting your cat with a tapeworm. 

Cook any meat thoroughly. This will kill any tapeworms that may be present. 

Human infection with the common cat tapeworm Dipylidium caninum is rare and occurs when an infected flea is accidentally swallowed—not through ordinary contact with a cat. Pregnant people should maintain effective flea control, practise good hygiene and ask their veterinary surgeon or healthcare professional for advice if they have concerns about exposure. 

If there is a risk your cat may have worms, your vet or SQP will prescribe a worming treatment suitable for your dog, which should eliminate the worms. They can also help you plan a worm prevention plan going forwards too; to make sure your cat stays protected.  

All cat owners should be aware of the signs and symptoms of tapeworm and flea infestation within their pets, plus how to take steps to prevent its occurrence and treat any problems that arise.  
 
If you have any concerns about tapeworm, other parasitic worms or worming products please seek advice from your qualified RAMA or veterinary surgeon.