Worms are a common problem for cats, and, without preventive treatment, most will catch them at some point throughout their life, says PDSA vet nurse Gemma Renwick
Why do we need to worm cats?
Worms are parasites that cats can get by accidentally eating their eggs. Worms will then live in your cat's intestines, damaging the gut lining and stealing food that your cat should be digesting. They rarely cause serious illness in adult cats, but can make kittens very poorly by causing dehydration, anaemia, gut blockages and even death in kittens.
What types of worms do cats get?
There are two main types of intestinal worm that cats in the UK are at risk of picking up:
- Roundworm - these are the most common type of worm and probably look most like people expect worms to They are white, can grow up to 15cm long, and look like spaghetti or noodles.
- Tapeworm - these are very long worms that attach themselves to the wall of the gut. They look like flat ribbons made up of lots of little segments and can grow up to 50cm long! If your cat has tapeworms, you might see worm segments (which look like grains of rice) crawling around their bottom.
How do cats get worms?
Kittens catch worms from their mother’s milk, and adult cats catch worms from:
- Hunting and eating rats, mice and birds
- Eating soil or other animal poo
- Fleas (which carry tapeworm)
What symptoms do cats show if they have worms?
Worms can cause symptoms such as:
- Weight loss
- Increased appetite
- Diarrhoea
- An itchy bottom
- Pot-belly and bloating (common in kittens with large numbers of worms)
How often should cats be wormed?
The treatment or preventative options for worms depend on whether you’ve got a kitten or an adult cat, and the pet’s lifestyle:
Worming kittens
You will need a worming treatment suitable for your kitten’s age and weight. Their first treatment should be at three weeks old and after that, they should be wormed every two weeks until they are 16 weeks old. After 16 weeks, they will need treatment every three to six months, or as regularly as your vet suggests.
Worming adult cats
- A worming treatment every three to six months is usually enough to prevent worms from causing problems in adult cats.
- It may be necessary to deworm your cat more regularly if they hunt a lot.
After treatment, you may see dead worms in your cat’s poo if they had a very heavy infestation, but it’s more than likely that you won’t see anything after treating them. Contact your vet if your cat has diarrhoea or seems unwell after a worming tablet.
What worming product should I use for my cat?
There are many 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’ll be able to give it to your cat easily i.e. use a spot-on, liquid, or paste if they won’t let you give them a tablet.
Prescription wormers
- Ask your vets which worms to treat your cat for and how frequently - this will depend on their age and lifestyle.
- Buy a prescription wormer that is effective against all the worms you need to treat. Prescription wormers can only be bought from a vet, or an online pharmacy (using a prescription from your vet), but are generally more reliable than non-prescription products.
Non-prescription wormers
If for any reason you aren’t able to buy a prescription wormer, and need to use a non-prescription wormer, choose one carefully because they vary a lot.
There are two main types of non-prescription worming products: ‘NFA-VPS’ products and ‘off the shelf’ products.
- ‘NFA-VPS’ products can only be sold by a specially qualified person who will ask you some questions about your cat, such as your cat’s weight (this could be a pharmacist or a specially qualified shop assistant). Check out PDSA’s video on ‘How to weigh your cat at home’. You can also buy NFA-VPS products online by filling out a form that will be checked by someone before they send the product. ‘NFA-VPS’ products tend to more dependable than ‘off the shelf’ products.
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‘Off the shelf’ products can be bought without speaking to anyone, or answering any questions about your dog, for example in a supermarket. Products you can buy without a prescription are not veterinary licensed and often contain less effective ingredients.
- Home remedies for worms are very unlikely to work – it’s always best to use a treatment with proven ingredients.
Could my cat get worms from other animals?
If you have other pets, such as another cat or a dog, then it is possible that they could get worms, too, if your cat has them. You should make sure you treat all animals in your house for worms regularly. Do not use dog worm treatments on cats and vice versa. Your vet will be able to provide the appropriate treatment for each pet in your home.
Can humans catch worms from cats?
It’s very rare for humans to catch worms from a cat, but it does occasionally happen. It’s most common in young children who have been playing in areas where cats have toileted, such as areas in your garden or local parks. If you have small children, it is very important to deworm your cat regularly.
If your cat has worms, there is a chance there could be worm eggs around your home. Get your cat treated as soon as possible to make sure they are clear of worms.
We’d recommend thoroughly cleaning all of your cat’s bedding, and favourite spots, such as blankets or sheets they may have touched. You may also want to steam clean flooring at home to kill off any remaining eggs. Also ensuring you completely clear your cat’s litter trays and give them a deep clean.
Can I test my cat's poop for worms?
Regular testing of cats’ poop for worm eggs can sometimes be done as an alternative to preventive treatment. However, unlike in horses, the worms that cats carry will only shed their eggs intermittently, meaning that not every poop passed will contain them, so this approach may not be suitable for cats who are at high risk of infection.
As a lot of cats poop outside and bury it, it’s not cleared up in the same way that dog poop should be, so it’s really important to follow a de-worming programme to reduce the spread to the environment. Speak to your vet about whether regular fecal testing could be suitable for your cat.
More pet advice from the experts at the PDSA
- Hairballs in cats: What hairballs are and how you can help prevent them with this expert advice
- Why do cats eat grass and is it safe for them? Gemma Renwick, a PDSA vet nurse, explores the truth...
- Blocked anal glands in dogs: PDSA vet nurse Nina Downinghow explains how to spot the symptoms of a blocked anal gland and what to do
- Why do cats play with their prey? Although it may look like it, it's not for entertainment, says PDSA vet nurse Gemma Renwick
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