Can indoor cats get worms?
Both indoor cats and outdoor cats are at risk of contracting worms. Infestation depends on the type of worm, but most often, cats get worms by coming into contact with fleas, eggs or infected particles in feces. Fleas are carriers for tapeworm eggs.
How did my cat get worms if he doesn’t go outside?
The most common way for an indoor cat to become infected with tapeworms is by eating a flea that’s infected. Even if your pet has never set foot on the ground outside, you can bring fleas into your home on your clothes, then they get on your cat.
What are the signs that my cat has worms?
Symptoms of worms in cats and kittens to be aware of
- Sickness.
- Diarrhoea.
- Weight loss, despite a normal or increased appetite.
- A dull coat.
- Lack of energy or lethargy.
- A swollen or distended belly (in severe cases and particularly in kittens)
How do I know if I get worms from my cat?
Symptoms of intestinal worms in both cats and humans include:
- Abdominal pain or distension.
- Blood in urine or feces.
- Diarrhea.
- Fatigue.
- Gas and bloating.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Weight loss or inability to gain weight.
Some owners are shocked to learn that their indoor kitty caught a case of worms, but this scenario isn’t unusual. Outdoor cats are more likely to pick up parasites and other infectious agents, but felines confined to the home also can ingest or inhale worm eggs. Cat lying on indoor couch.
Is it safe to treat worms in cats?
Fortunately, your veterinarian can treat worms in cats effectively and safely, with no need for panic on your part, said Dr. Bruce Kornreich, associate director of the Feline Health Center at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in Ithaca, NY.
What happens if you leave a cat with a wormer?
Worm infestations that are left untreated can be dangerous, even fatal, for your cat. Migration of larvae through the organs and tissues of the body as they make their way to the intestine could result in severe skin infections, blindness, convulsions, or pneumonia, depending on the path of larval migration.
Can you tell if your cat has worms without symptoms?
It may not be obvious even if your cat has worms, so it’s a good idea to have a regular program of preventative deworming treatments, especially during the summer. The signs associated with intestinal parasite infections are fairly nonspecific and adult cats infected with worms may show no clinical symptoms at all.