Last Updated: 06/05/2025
Everything You Need to Know about Worms in Cats
Click through to learn all about worms in cats and how to keep your cat purr-fectly worm-free!
Author: Dr Teagan Lever BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 26 minutes - medium read
Last Updated: 06/05/2025
Click through to learn all about worms in cats and how to keep your cat purr-fectly worm-free!
Author: Dr Teagan Lever BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 26 minutes - medium read
It's not always a topic we like to think about, but worms in our pets are important parasites for Australian cat parents to understand. This is due to a number of reasons but one being that some worms are zoonotic, meaning they can be spread from your cat to you! Even indoor cats are at risk of contracting worms and other parasites.
Although worms can lead to serious illness this is easy to prevent with regular treatment. Read on to learn more about these unwanted parasites and learn how to keep your cat purr-fectly worm-free!
In Australia, there are three main types of worms your can cat can get, these include:
Did you know that NexGard SPECTRA Spot-On for Cats offers protection against all these worms as well as protection for deadly paralysis ticks, fleas and mites!
ROUNDWORM
Roundworms, the most common intestinal parasite in cats, are long and round with an appearance resembling spaghetti. A single female adult roundworm can shed up to 200,000 eggs per day in the faeces of infested cats, and these eggs can survive in the environment for several years. Cats can become infested with roundworm in various ways:
HOOKWORM
These nasty critters can inflict damage to the intestine where they attach and feed on the cat's blood. In extreme cases this blood-feeding parasite can lead to fatal blood loss, particularly in young kittens. Transmission to cats can occur through various means:
TAPEWORM
Tapeworms are so named for their flat ribbon-like bodies. The worms reside in the cat's gut and feed off the nutrients in there. Some cats may display no symptoms at all but others may exhibit mild signs of infestation. Sometimes you may be unfortunate enough to notice motile worm segments in your catsâ faeces or the fur around their bottom. Cats become infested with tapeworm when they ingest an intermediate host infested with these parasites. The type of intermediate host varies with the different tapeworm species. For example:
Unlike dogs, cats are not the natural host of heartworm; however they can still contract the infection through a mosquito.The cat's effective immune system usually fights the infection. Many cats wonât show symptoms however if symptoms do arise, they may include coughing, lack of appetite, or weight loss. Unfortunately in some cats the first sign that may be seen is sudden death.
These parasites are typically transmitted through slugs, snails, often reaching cats when they hunt and consume an animal, such as a rodent or bird, that has ingested an infected mollusk or earthworm. Outdoor cats with hunting tendencies face the highest risk of contracting this parasite. While some cats can live with a high worm burden, others may exhibit respiratory signs like coughing, wheezing and breathing difficulties.
Common signs of intestinal worms:
It is important to note that your cat might not show any symptoms at all, and evidence of worms may not always appear in their faeces.
Treatment involves administering a dewormer to your cat. Regular treatment is essential to help keep your cat worm-free, as they will continually be at risk for reinfection due to their natural behaviours of roaming, grooming, and hunting.
NexGard SPECTRA Spot-On for Cats is Australia's first and only parasite prevention that protects against fleas, ticks, mites, heartworm, lungworm and intestinal worms (including tapeworm!). It provides a convenient solution to control external and internal parasites (like worms) with just a single product. Just one and it's done!
Roundworms and hookworms of cats are zoonotic, which means they can infect and cause disease in people. To reduce this risk veterinary and human infectious disease experts recommend monthly deworming for all cats. NexGard SPECTRA Spot-On for Cats offers a convenient solution by ensuring monthly treatment for these worms.
Topical treatments are highly effective, especially for fussy and grumpy cats who are difficult to tablet.
NexGard SPECTRA Spot-On for Cats is applied to the skin on the back of the neck with an innovative, easy to use applicator which reduces stress and mess for cats and their owners.
After application, the three active ingredients are absorbed through the skin and into the catâs blood stream to be distributed throughout the body.
For more parasite protection recommendations read Which Flea and Worming Product Does Your Cat Need?.
Many assume that if their cat remains indoors, the risk of parasitic infections is low. However, indoor cats are still vulnerable to various parasites through different avenues.
Intestinal worms: Worm eggs can be inadvertently carried indoors on shoes and clothing. Additionally, cats can also acquire tapeworm indirectly via fleas carried inside by outdoor pets or through activities like hunting lizards. Roundworms and tapeworms can also be transmitted to cats through the consumption of undercooked or raw meat or consuming pests such as small rodents which may enter the home.
Heartworm: Every indoor cat is at risk of heartworm infection, as it is transmitted via mosquitoes, which can easily access indoor spaces.
Lungworm: Indoor cats can still contract lungworm, particularly if rodents are present in the indoor environment or if the cat has access to a balcony where birds or carriers like mollusks or earthworms may be encountered.
One of the more concerning aspects of worms is their zoonotic risk, which is the potential transmission of these parasites from cats to humans. Both feline roundworms and hookworms can infect and cause serious disease in people.
The Australian Companion Animal Zoonoses Advisory Panel recommends monthly deworming and year-round flea control for all cats. This approach helps lessen the zoonotic risk associated with these parasites.
Want to know more? Check out our Discover Page for more tips on keeping your pets happy and healthy.
