Do Fleas Give Cats Worms?

In the early stages of a worm infestation, you may not notice any symptoms. However, if the infestation becomes chronic, worms can damage your cat’s health. Roundworms may cause diarrhea, loss of weight, and a dull coat. If your cat has tapeworms, you may notice that she seems to be hungry more often.

The adult tapeworm, which is six to 23 inches long, is transmitted by fleas to cats. It lays segmented packets of microscopic eggs, which are consumed by flea larvae. The flea larvae then eat the tapeworm’s eggs and release them into the cat’s intestines.

While fleas are the primary source of tapeworm infection in cats, other parasites can also infect cats. Roundworm eggs can live on the cat’s fur and are found in the feces of cats and other animals. Infected animals, such as mice, voles, and birds, can pass these parasites to cats. Cats can also accidentally pick up tapeworms from other pets or prey animals.

Infection caused by tapeworms is very rare in humans, but can occur through the bite of fleas that carry worm eggs. A worm infestation in cats can be treated easily by your veterinarian with medication prescribed by your veterinarian. However, you should not attempt worm treatment on a pregnant cat. As with any parasite infestation, it is essential to check your cat’s anus for proglottids.