What Cat Lovers Should Know About Tapeworms in a Cat

Nearly all cats will experience at least one form of worm infection during their lifetime; among the most widespread worm infestations are that of the roundworm and the tapeworm.

What are Tapeworms?

All worms are parasites that feed off the inside of your cat and can make them rather sick. Worms can be transferred from the mother to the kitten; the litter box is also a source of worm infestation - particularly if you have more than one cat.

The tapeworm is made up of a number of segments and each of these segments contains the eggs of the worm. The segments containing the eggs fall off the worm and are excreted out of the cat's body in its stools.

How Do Cats Get Tapeworms?

The tapeworm may have been passed down to a kitten by its mother. However, the main source of the tapeworm is cat fleas. Fleas eat the tapeworm eggs that are passed in the cat's stool - the cat will swallow the flea when it cleans itself and this is how the tapeworm egg enters your cat's body. If you want to avoid tapeworm infestation then you first need to ensure that your cat is free from fleas. If a cat has fleas then it is more likely to be suffering from tapeworms, which attacks the cat's intestinal tract.

Symptoms of Tapeworms in Cats

You should watch your cat's behavior. Cats who have tapeworms will show more scratching and licking around their anus. Irritability and loss of appetite are other symptoms that the cat has fleas.

Treatment of Tapeworms in Cats

You should always bring your cat to the vet for a checkup if you suspect it has a worm infection. Your vet will most likely treat your cat by prescribing some deworming medicine, which will almost always get rid of the tapeworm problem. You will also need to clean the cat's bed and areas of the house your cat has access to. Combine the treatment with exercise along with a correct diet and regular checkups and your cat should be free of tapeworms.

Prevention of Tapeworms in Cats

In order to prevent your cat from being re-infested with tapeworms, you will have to keep fleas out of your cat and house. A regular dosage of deworming medicine prescribed by your vet will definitely keep the worms out permanently.

Natalie Williams is the author of WormsInMyPet.com. Visit her web site for more tips on treating and preventing worms in your pet.