How To

How to Prevent Worms in Cats

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(15 Ratings)

When your cat has worms, not only is it unhealthy for the animal but it's also a health risk for you and your family. Learn how to prevent this common problem, experienced by indoor as well as outdoor cats.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  1. Step 1

    Take your cat to a veterinarian for a complete physical exam. Request that a fecal specimen be checked for intestinal parasites (worms), then administer any medication as prescribed.

  2. Step 2

    Limit your cat's contact with soil and dirt, which can contain worms in their larval and egg stages.

  3. Step 3

    Prevent your cat from catching and eating rodents and birds, which almost always harbor intestinal parasites in their intermediate life stages (larvae and eggs).

  4. Step 4

    Isolate your cat from stray or newly adopted cats, dogs, kittens and puppies until they can be checked for worms and treated if necessary.

  5. Step 5

    Treat your cat and your home with products that control all stages of fleas - adult, larval and egg - since fleas can transmit tapeworms to cats.

  6. Step 6

    Groom your kitty regularly to be aware of any infestation with fleas. Then take measures to prevent infestation with tapeworms.

  7. Step 7

    Consider keeping your cat indoors to reduce the chance of parasite infestation.

  8. Step 8

    Have a stool specimen checked twice yearly to be certain that your cat remains parasite-free.

Tips & Warnings
  • Treatment of kittens at three weeks of age is recommended, as they are likely to be born infested with worms.
  • Bathing your cat will remove fleas, flea debris and eggs, reducing environmental contamination.
  • Ask a veterinarian about safe and effective new products for parasite control.
  • Select products that are friendly to the environment as well as safe for your family and your cat.
  • Avoid home remedies and over-the-counter products, which may be toxic and ineffective.
  • Never give your cat worm medication without your veterinarian's approval.
  • Contact your veterinarian immediately if your cat shows any signs of illness (vomiting, diarrhea, tremors or poor coordination) after administration of worm medication.
Who Can Help

Comments  

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ihave5cats said

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on 12/2/2008 Salutations. I am the proud owner of 5 indoor cats. I have a huge heart for stray cats and can't stand to see them roaming the streets and knocking over trash cans for survival. This being said, I have taken each one to be fixed and to get shots. Over the weekend I was petting my 2.5 year old female cat and I noticed worms crawling around on her anus. I was shocked. I've never been in this situation before. I called the vet (she was seen today) and diagnosed with tapeworms, although they didn't look too close. I asked if it was contagious and the vet said "no". But if my other cats eat the "egg packets" won't they get the worms as well? Also, how did she get them? I noticed her eating a moth last week. My cats don't have fleas and we don't have mice (I think I'd have noticed my cat eating a mouse... ewwwwwwww)....

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on 10/12/2008 * Oops.... how long I'll have to keep bleaching everything she may have touched, and sweeping up where she sits. Thanks.

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on 10/12/2008 Yes that's worms. as nasty as it is, if you check regularly you'll see them alive crawling out of her anus, or you'll see dried out rice looking things where she sleeps or sits regularly. I just noticed that my cat also has worms so I got her an inexpensive de-wormer med. from Walmarts pet section. It was supposed to be given to her through her food, but she is a picky eater so I had to hold her down & squirt it into the back of her mouth.(she's still pretty mad at me)I just gave it to her the night before last, so I dont know how well it's worked yet. She hasn't had an apetite since & seemed to have an upset belly yesterday am, but seems to be doing fine now. does anyone know how long it takes to get rid of the disgusting things, or if I'll need to treat her again soon for it to work?? I hope this helps, & I also hope someone can help me so I know how long I'm going to have to keep

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on 12/7/2007 Hi everyone, I have an indoor cat. When I look at her stool, it sometimes has these little worms crawling. Does this mean she has worms? This month my budget is tight and I don't know if I can afford to take her to a Vet. Does anyone have any suggestions or remedies or even know a low price vet in NYC?

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on 12/7/2007 Hello everyone. I have an indoor cat and when I look at her stool it sometimes has these little live worm crawling. I am a single mom of two kids and this month is a difficult month for me to spend money to take her to a vet. Does anyone have any remedies or suggestions or even know of a low price vet in NYC?

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