How Are Cats Infected With Worms?

Worms are a common type of intestinal parasite that infect cats, dogs and other animals. Feline parasites, such as worms, can weaken the cat's immune system. The causes of an infection depend in part upon the type of worm.

Roundworm

Roundworms (Toxocara cati and Toxascaris leonina) spread through cat feces. The feces contain the eggs of the roundworm. The infection passes after eating feces or body tissues that contain the roundworm eggs.

Hookworm

Hookworm (Ancylostoma and Uncinaria) spreads when the larvae penetrate the skin or when the cat ingests the parasite.

Tapeworm

Tapeworm (cestodes) causes an infection when a cat ingests infected fleas while grooming. The cat may also become infected by ingesting tapeworm eggs when consuming an infected rodent.

Ollanulus Tricuspis

Ollanulus tricuspis is a stomach worm. Ollanus tricuspis infections spread when a cat ingests the infected vomit of another cat.

Physaloptera

Physaloptera is a stomach worm found in insect species, such as crickets and beetles. The infection spreads when the cat ingests an infected insect or another animal, such as a frog or mouse, that has eaten an infected insect.

References

• Cornell University: Cat Parasites
• Merck Veterinary Manual: Stomach Worm

Resources

• American Cat Fanciers Association