How to tell if my cat has worms?

As a veterinarian, I understand that your pets are cherished family members who bring joy and companionship into your lives. Protecting their health becomes your top priority, and that often means learning to recognize subtle signs that something might be wrong. While many illnesses present obvious symptoms, common conditions like internal parasites can be sneaky, silently affecting your cat's health without showing immediate signs. This becomes particularly challenging because cats are masters at hiding discomfort, often masking illness until problems advance significantly. Understanding how to tell if your cat has worms and knowing what to look for can make all the difference in early detection and ensuring your beloved feline stays healthy.

Internal parasites represent a common concern for cat owners like yourself, ranging from microscopic organisms to visible worms. While they might seem like a minor inconvenience, these parasites significantly impact your cat's overall health and quality of life. Worms feed on your cat's nutrients, cause internal damage, and lead to clinical signs ranging from mild discomfort to severe illness. In kittens, heavy worm burdens can hinder normal growth and development.

Beyond your cat's health, some feline parasites pose genuine risks to human family members. Roundworms can infect humans, potentially causing serious conditions like visceral or ocular larva migrans when their eggs are ingested. Effective parasite control protects your entire household's health—a concept we call "One Health."

When I discuss worms in cats with pet owners, we typically encounter two main types:

Among the most common internal parasites in cats, these parasites typically reside in your cat's small intestine and can grow several inches long, often resembling spaghetti strands in your cat's stool or vomit. Kittens face particular vulnerability to roundworm infections, acquiring them from their mother before birth or through nursing. Human infection occurs when you accidentally ingest microscopic eggs.

Unlike roundworms, tapeworms require an intermediate host, meaning your cat gets them by eating something that carries the parasite. The most common tapeworm in cats, Dipylidium caninum, enters your cat's system when they ingest infected fleas during grooming. Another type, Taenia taeniaeformis, arrives when your cat eats infected prey like birds, rodents, or reptiles. Tapeworms live in your cat's small intestine and shed segments called proglottids, which look like small rice grains and may appear in your cat's feces or around their anus.

Understanding these common types helps you pinpoint potential infection routes and identify the best diagnostic and treatment approaches.

Since cats excel at hiding illness, recognizing subtle changes in their physical appearance, gastrointestinal habits, and behavior becomes crucial for knowing how to tell if your cat has worms.

• "Pot-Bellied" Appearance: especially in kittens, a bloated or distended abdomen can signal a heavy worm burden. This occurs because worms occupy space and cause intestinal inflammation within your cat's body.
• Poor Coat Quality: a dull, dry, or unkempt coat can indicate underlying health issues, including parasitic infections, as worms deprive your cat of essential nutrients needed for healthy fur.
• Pale Gums: when your cat's gums appear paler than their usual healthy pink color, this might suggest anemia—a condition where your cat lacks enough healthy red blood cells. Severe worm infestations can lead to anemia by consuming your cat's blood.
• Weight Loss Despite Good Appetite: when your cat eats normally or even more than usual but still loses weight, this could indicate parasites are stealing their nutrition.

• Vomiting: while occasional vomiting can be normal for cats (especially with hairballs), frequent or chronic vomiting, or vomiting that contains visible worms, strongly indicates a problem requiring immediate veterinary attention.
• Diarrhea: any changes in your cat's stool, such as being softer than usual, increased frequency, or containing mucus or blood, can point to intestinal parasites. I recommend noting the duration and appearance of diarrhea for your veterinarian.
• Visible Worms or Segments: this often provides the most direct evidence. You might see small, rice-like segments (tapeworm proglottids) near your cat's anus or in their litter box. Roundworms may appear as long, thin, white "spaghetti-like" worms in vomit or feces.
• Scooting or Licking: when your cat frequently drags their rear across the floor or excessively licks around their anus, this could indicate irritation from tapeworm segments.

• Lethargy or Decreased Activity: cats with parasitic infections may seem unusually tired, less playful, or generally less active than usual. This non-specific illness sign requires investigation.
• Changes in Social Interactions or Sleeping Patterns: subtle shifts in how your cat interacts with you or other pets, or noticeable differences in their sleeping habits, can sometimes indicate discomfort or underlying illness.
• Coughing: while less common, certain parasites like lungworms can cause respiratory signs such as coughing, since their life cycle involves migration through your cat's lungs. When your cat develops a persistent cough, I recommend mentioning this to your veterinarian.

When you observe any of these signs or have a gut feeling something isn't right, I urge you to contact your veterinarian promptly. Resist the urge to self-diagnose or treat your cat with over-the-counter dewormers, since different worms require different medications, and improper treatment can prove ineffective or even harmful.

When you contact your veterinarian, be prepared to provide detailed history. Your veterinarian will likely ask about your cat's diet, including food brand and type, treats, table scraps, or supplements. They'll also want to know about their environment and habits, such as whether they stay indoor-only or have outdoor access, hunting behavior, and other household pets. Be ready to discuss any previous or current medications and provide clear descriptions of all clinical signs you've observed, including when they started and how they've progressed.

When possible, bring a fresh stool sample to your appointment. A fecal examination, where we analyze the sample under a microscope, often serves as the first step to identify specific worm eggs or larvae, guiding appropriate treatment. This targeted approach ensures your cat receives the most effective and safe medication for their specific condition. Your veterinarian may also recommend basic blood work and urinalysis to check for other underlying health issues.

Preventing parasitic infections proves far easier than treating them. This involves collaborative effort between you and your veterinary team. Regular veterinary visits are essential for preventive healthcare and early disease detection. During these visits, your veterinarian can recommend appropriate deworming schedules based on your cat's lifestyle and risk factors.

Consistent flea control also becomes critical, since fleas commonly carry tapeworms. I encourage you to discuss the best flea prevention products with your veterinarian to ensure year-round protection. Additionally, maintain good litter box hygiene by scooping daily and cleaning regularly to reduce re-infection risk.

Your veterinarian serves as your most valuable partner in your cat's health journey. By being observant, communicating openly, and adhering to professional recommendations, you empower them to provide the best possible care for your feline companion.

Internal parasites represent a common but manageable health concern for cats. By staying vigilant for subtle signs like changes in physical appearance, gastrointestinal habits, or behavior, and working closely with your veterinarian for diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing prevention, you can ensure your cat lives a long, healthy, and happy life free from the discomfort of worms