17 Most Common Symptoms Of Worms In Cats You Should Know

Cat owners and lovers always want to know the symptoms of worms in cats, and today after my long research, questioning, years of experience, I present to you the list of symptoms of worms in cats!!!

Worms in cats are a common occurrence and a potential health risk to humans.

Cats can become infected by worms from their environment, other animals, or from mother’s milk.

It’s important to know the signs of worm infection, so you can have your cat tested for them.

Cat worms are most common in kittens. As they grow, they are protected from new infections because their mothers have passed on immunity to them.

This means that the majority of worm problems with cats are seen in kittens between 3 and 9 months old.

Worms can be found in both male and female cats, but females tend to carry more worm species than males do.

You may also see signs of worms in your cat if they have an upset stomach or diarrhea, weight loss, or lack of appetite.

If you suspect that your cat has worms, there are some ways to find out for sure.

Read on for a list of symptoms and how you can make sure your cat is as healthy as possible.

Symptoms Of Worms In Cats

The most common symptoms of worm infections in cats are diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, and decreased appetite. Other symptoms may be coughing, sneezing, runny eyes and nose, itching around the anus area, and rapid breathing.

There are lots of symptoms of worms in cats, as you can see from above, but the most popular is the presence of worms in feces or vomits.

Find out if cats can get worms from dogs and ways these can happen.

Common symptoms of worms in cats

The signs will depend on the type of worms, which depend on the type of your cat. However, we will be discussing the general symptoms of worms in cats.

Some cats will develop obvious symptoms quickly, while others may take days or weeks to show symptoms.

Sometimes a cat may be naturally resistant to worms, but many have a weak immune system or poor immune responses that help make them vulnerable.

Here are some common symptoms of worms in cats which you should know and look out for:

Presence of worms in cat feces

If your cat has worms, you’ll most likely see them in her feces. When parasites build up in your cat’s intestines, some of them will be passed during a bowel movement.

The presence of worms in cat’s feces is the most popular and common symptom of worms in cats.

This symptom is visible when the worms are already grown and ready to destroy things in the cat’s system.

Presence of worms in cats vomit

If your cat is sick, it’s not unusual to detect worms in their vomit.

One of the most telling signs that your cat is sick is worms in his poop or vomit.

Not all parasites, however, are visible to the human eye. So there are tendencies you may not see the worms in the larvae stages.

Visible changes in cat’s coat or fur

If your cat is malnourished, the hair and skin are the first to suffer.

Keep an eye out for a dull coat and itching, particularly around your cat’s hindquarters.

Due to a lack of nutrition or dehydration, your cat’s hair may seem dull, rumpled, or clumped if they are infected with worms.

If you notice any funny changes or wired drastic changes in your cat’s fur or hair you should see a veterinarian.

Persistent diarrhea

This is probably the most common symptom of worms in cats.

Symptoms will often come and go, but diarrhea usually lasts about 3-5 days.

This is when the worms are passing through the intestines and entering the colon.

Continues weight Loss

Weight loss and slowed growth are signs that a parasitic illness, such as worms, is present.

It’s critical to have your cat examined for worms if he or she isn’t developing as expected or abruptly loses weight.

Your cat’s capacity to absorb nutrients from its diet will be hampered by parasites, resulting in weight loss.

Find out how long worms can remain in cats after deworming cats.

Persistent or uncontrollable hunger

If your cat doesn’t appear to get full, it might be due to something more than a ravenous appetite.

Worm-infested cats are always hungry, and they will consume more than normal.

Despite his increased appetite, your cat will not gain weight as quickly as you might expect.

This is another indicator that your cat may need to be dewormed.

Persistent vomiting

If the worms enter the stomach, the cats will vomit. Cats can also vomit the food if they’ve eaten something that’s been contaminated by the worms.

If this happens, you should try to get your cat to drink at least 1/2 cup of water per hour.

It’s also important to get your cat to drink frequently and try to give it large amounts of water, so the worm will be flushed from the system and won’t be in the gastrointestinal tract.

Presence of mucus or blood in cat stool

The existence of worms in cats is largely determined by the presence of mucus, blood, or worm segments in your cat’s feces.

As a defensive mechanism against parasite invasion, the intestines create mucus, which makes your cat’s feces sticky.

Tapeworm segments, as well as roundworms, may break off and wind up in your cat’s feces.

Loss of appetite

This is also a common symptom of worms in cats. It usually starts off with a low appetite.

Your cat will no longer be interested in eating, as usual, this may be due to worm intestinal obstructions.

Rapid changes in stool color

Some worms cause noticeable changes in the color of a cat’s feces to blood color or irregular bowel motions.

The presence of blood, possibly from hookworms, is indicated by dark, tarry stool.

Diarrhea can also be caused by worms in the stomach.

Lethargy

The cat is lethargic and may only sleep in a small area in the house or in a box all day. Usually, the cat is not hungry or thirstier, and the cat is not interested in going outside or playing.

This is an indication of anemia caused by the parasites in the cat’s intestine.

Stomach discomfort

The stomach is tender and the cat may be vomiting or retching as if she can’t digest her food. The cat may appear weak, or he may not eat or drink much.

A swollen or distended belly

Swollen/distended stomach (pot belly) in extreme instances Is especially evident in kittens. Many cats will exhibit no signs of tapeworms at all.

The most typical symptoms are increased appetite, dragging the bottom along the ground owing to worm discomfort, and spending more time cleaning the worm’s anal region.

Visible bloating

Bloating is a typical sign of worms in kittens who have been afflicted.

Bloating is particularly frequent in nursing kittens who have been exposed to parasites such as worms from their mother.

They came into touch with the worms through their mother, either through sulking the mother’s breast milk or by contacting the worms in the mother’s womb.

Presence of pale gums in cats

To begin, raise your cat’s lip to examine their gums. The gums of cats are usually a pink hue and slightly wet.

Just above the tooth line, place your index finger on their gums.

Your cat may have worms if they feel dry or “tacky” and/or seem very pale or bright red.

Difficulty breathing

Worms do not only attack the internal system of a cat but can also cause a lack of energy which makes the cat to be weak.

Heartworms are known to be one of the most dangerous of all worms and have been associated to cause difficulty in breathing.

The good news is that cats only get heartworm from mosquito bites, which can be avoided.

Presence of worms in cat butt

Segments of the tapeworm may be seen crawling on the surface of the feces as they break off and pass into the cat’s stool.

These proglottid segments resemble cooked white rice grains or cucumber seeds.

Segments traveling around the cat’s anus are less common.

Find out more about the common question: does my cat have worms!!!

Most common types of worms found in cats

Here are the four most popular and common types of worms found in cats:

Tapeworms

Tapeworms can be transmitted to cats by infected fleas.

By biting on an irritated region, your cat may inadvertently consume a flea.

The flea eggs will hatch if they are eaten. After latching onto the intestines, the worm can grow to reach up to 8 inches long.

Tapeworms are different from other worms in that they grow in segments. These pieces might get loose and end up in your cat’s feces.

They’re rectangular and flat. Your cat’s anus might get clogged with eggs, causing it to slide about on the floor.

Roundworms

In cats, roundworms are quite prevalent. Roundworms can infect kittens while they are still in their mother’s womb or through the consumption of breast milk.

Roundworm eggs can be discovered in the soil, on plants, in diseased animals’ excrement, and on the bodies of deceased animals.

They’re spherical, white, and smooth. Some have compared them to living noodles, and they may infect a cat.

Heartworms

Heartworms are parasitic parasites that infest the heart, blood arteries, and lungs and can be fatal.

They’re spread through mosquito bites infected with the virus.

Because there is no treatment for heartworm in cats, the only way to protect them is to use monthly preventatives.

Hookworms

Hookworms can be passed down to your kitten from its mother or by consuming contaminated feces.

Because of their fangs, these worms are appropriately called. They attach to your cat’s stomach lining.

This might result in bleeding and anemia.

If not treated right away, your cat may grow frail and pale. If left untreated, hookworms have the potential to harm you as well as your cat.

Find out if humans can get worms from cats and how they contact worms from cats.

How to prevent worm infections in cats?

You can prevent worms in your cat from becoming an issue by keeping your cat’s environment clean and away from sources of uncleanness.

To prevent them from consuming uncooked or undercooked meat, cat food, or cheese, which are common sources of infection in cats, wash your hands and use soap before handling your cat or food.

Do NOT feed your cat anything other than certified cat food.

Feeding her straight cat food does not do any harm to her or even make her sick.

Proper nutrition and vet care should never be a problem. It’s only common to feed your cat canned or dry foods.

Are there any diseases caused by worm infections? Worms can spread an illness called toxoplasmosis.

Worm preventive tips for cats

Here are some common tips to help prevent worm infestation in cats:

• Early in the morning, prevent your cats from devouring the damp, green grass outside your entrance.
• Cats should be given deworming pills on a regular basis.
• You must groom your cat correctly and on a regular basis to get rid of fleas.
• The installation of a rodent control system is required.
• Maintain a safe distance between your cat and any suspected pets.
• Maintain a safe distance between your cat’s water bowl and the windows and doors.
• Allowing your cat to drink from a watering can that has been filled with water for more than two days is not a good idea.
• You can keep fleas off your cat and out of the environment by using a flea control system.
• If your cat shows signs of worms, seek treatment as soon as possible.
• Make sure your kittens have been dewormed by a vet.
• Check to see whether your cat has eaten any contaminated raw meat.
• As quickly as possible, scoop any excrement on your property, including that of cats and other canines.
• Walking your cat through areas where other dogs and cats have deposited their excrement is not a good idea.
• Keep your cat’s heartworm prevention up to date.
• You may minimize the mosquito population by avoiding allowing mosquitos to breed in standing water.

Find out the 7 common ways indoor cats get ear mites and what to do.

How to diagnose worms in cats

Your veterinarian will examine your cat thoroughly and take a complete medical history from you.

The majority of healthy animals will not show signs of worm infection.

In kittens with a high worm burden, roundworms can be detected.

They may develop a pot belly as a result of a large number of worms in extreme situations.

The most common method for detecting worms is microscopic stool inspection; however, a single fecal test might be deceptive since eggs are not always released into the feces.

Broad-spectrum dewormers are often used in situations where intestinal worms are suspected, and deworming cats who go outside and hunt on a regular basis is also appropriate.

Find out the 10 common ways indoor cats get fleas and what to do.

How to treat worm infections in cats?

If your cat has symptoms of worms, your veterinarian should be able to determine the species of worms involved, and therefore, the best treatment.

The treatment for cats is often the same as for dogs, which is prophylactic medication.

Your veterinarian may also prescribe medication that will kill any worms that are in the cat’s body, including the eggs.

However, even the most effective treatment cannot eradicate all worms. Some worms can live in the intestines for years.

In addition to treatment, an integrated approach is necessary.

Your veterinarian may recommend that you keep your cat in a location with a strong ventilation system.

Can indoor cats get worms?

While indoor cats are less prone to contract worms, they are not immune. If fleas are introduced into the house from the outside, they may carry tapeworm, which is then passed on to the cat.

To be cautious, it’s still a good idea to treat indoor cats for worms, and it won’t hurt the cat.

Find out the 14 common ways indoor cats get worms.

Wrapping up on symptoms of worms in cats

Because there are many different varieties of worms that may infect cats, it’s important to be aware of the warning symptoms.

Not only can prompt treatment help to prevent the infestation in your cat from worsening, but it will also safeguard the other cats, pets, and people in your home.

It might be upsetting to learn that your cat has worms, but with excellent treatment from your veterinarian, your cat will be worm-free in no time!