What it is
Kittens can pick up roundworms with their mother's milk, and adult cats by eating prey or swallowing eggs from the environment. A cat gets tapeworm by swallowing a flea or eating a mouse.
An adult cat can carry worms with no signs at all. In a kitten a heavy load causes more trouble: a swollen belly, diarrhoea and poor growth, and a large tangle of worms can even block the gut.
The eggs of some cat worms can infect people too, especially children playing in sandpits or gardens. A stool test helps tell which worm it is, so a worm or segment you find is worth showing to your vet.
Signs you may notice
- Diarrhoea
- Vomits
- Loses weight while eating
- Pot belly in a kitten
- Kitten grows poorly
- Dull, rough coat
A cat may have diarrhoea or vomit, lose weight while still eating, and its coat turns dull. A kitten gets a pot belly and grows poorly; sometimes worms, or tapeworm segments like grains of rice, show in the stools, the vomit or around the bottom.
When to see a vet
Book a visit if you have seen worms in the stools or around the bottom, or your cat is losing weight or has diarrhoea. If a kitten is vomiting, off its food or listless, contact a vet the same day.
This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own cat's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.