Have you ever heard of tapeworms? Did you know this is a problem that could potentially affect your cat? What should you do if your cat has tapeworms or if you suspect that he might?

Tapeworms are a type of intestinal parasite that are fairly common in cats. Cats get tapeworms from swallowing fleas that are infected with tapeworm eggs. If your cat has tapeworms, you need to take care of the problem as soon as possible. Read through the article below to find out more about dealing with tapeworms in your cat.

SIGNS OF TAPEWORM IN CATS

The most obvious sign of tapeworm is actually seeing worms or segments of worms in your cat's stool. To identify, they're small and look like rice grains. But there may be accompanying signs that signal that your cat may have tapeworms.

• Diarrhea

• Increased appetite

• Scooting their butt across the rug

• Vomiting

• Weight loss (despite your cat's overeating)

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR CAT HAS TAPEWORM

If you notice signs of worms in your cat’s stool, go to your nearest VEG vet hospital right away. Your cat will need to be given a deworming medication to remove the tapeworm from their body. You may see the tapeworm in their stool after the deworming medication has been given, although it may take several bowel movements before all of the worms are expelled.

Your vet will give your cat a specific type of dewormer, either oral or injectable. Only prescription-strength vet-administered deworming medication is strong enough to get rid of tapeworms, so don’t rely on over-the-counter medicine for this problem.

Cat showing signs of tapeworm? VEG iER for Pets is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week to treat cats—and all pets. Walk in anytime for prompt, compassionate emergency pet care.

HOW TO TREAT TAPEWORM IN CATS AT HOME

There is no scientific data to support home remedies for tapeworm in cats. Getting to an emergency vet is imperative. A skilled vet can properly identify and diagnose tapeworm, and provide the medication that your cat needs.

Below, we discuss steps you can take to care for your cat if they have an infestation. These steps will also help avoid the spread of tapeworm to humans and other pets too.

How to clean your cat's litter box

A clean litter box is important all the time, but especially if your cat has tapeworm. When scooping your cat’s litter box or otherwise disposing of feces you may find in the home or yard, be very careful about proper handling methods. This should be true all the time, but especially so if your cat has a tapeworm.

• Put on gloves before handling feces and before cleaning out the litter box

• Scoop your cat’s litter box at least twice per day

• Clean the litter box thoroughly every couple of days when dealing with tapeworms

• If you have multiple cats using one litter box, you will need to increase the frequency of your cleanings.

Bedding care for cat's with tapeworm

If your cat has a tapeworm, it is very important to keep up with cleaning their bedding regularly until the problem is resolved. You should also clean their bedding even if they doesn’t have a tapeworm, but you don’t have to be as proactive about it when you have a healthy cat.

Wash your cat’s bedding every couple of days in hot water until the tapeworm clears up. If your cat also has fleas at the same time, you may want to wash their bedding daily until the flea problem and tapeworm are both resolved.

Treat your cat for fleas to reduce tapeworm risk

Since fleas are the method of transmission when it comes to cats getting tapeworms, getting rid of fleas will help your cat reduce the risk of further tapeworm infections, too. Additionally, you won’t risk your cat developing a chronic tapeworm problem if you are able to remove fleas from the equation.

Keep your cat on a regular flea preventative medication for best results. A topical or oral medication may work, depending on your specific cat. And if necessary, talk to your primary care vet about considering a flea bath to remove the majority of the problem all at once.

Treat other pets exposed to cat with tapeworm

Tapeworms can be spread to other pets by ingesting infected fleas. If your pet is diagnosed with a tapeworm, take precautions against other pets in your household contracting this parasite too. Have your other pets tested, and if they are free from tapeworms, treat them for fleas right away.

By keeping up with regular flea treatments for every pet in your home—not just for your infected cat—you will be able to reduce the risk of tapeworm infections as well as a wide variety of other problems associated with fleas.

CAN HUMANS OR OTHER PETS GET TAPEWORMS FROM CATS?

It is possible for humans and pets to get tapeworms by ingesting infected fleas. Although for humans, this issue is uncommon, it’s crucial to practice good hygiene, like hand washing after handling cat or feces, when your cat has an active tapeworm infection.

If you have children or other members of your household, make sure they also keep a distance and good hygiene until the infection clears from your cat.

ARE TAPEWORMS IN CATS AN EMERGENCY?

Based on this information, you should have a better idea of how to tackle the problem of tapeworms in your cat. Your cat may need to be treated for tapeworms and fleas several times before the problem clears up entirely, but with proper medical care, the issue will be able to be resolved in most cases.

Use the information in this guide to help you learn the best possible response to tapeworms in your cat. If you notice your cat has tapeworms, don’t hesitate to call VEG. VEG hospitals all over the country are open 24 hours every day to help provide prompt care for your pet. You can speak directly with an emergency vet who will be able to provide advice on your pet’s condition. Call or come in to any VEG location for the emergency care your pet needs.