Tapeworms in Cats, Poop, Vomit, Symptoms, Causes, Pictures, Home Remedies, Treatment & Prevention

Discover the facts about tapeworms in cats. Learn the Signs and Symptoms of tapeworms in dogs, including in poop, vomit. Read on to get an insight into the causes, treatment and prevention of tapeworms in cats, including effective home remedies. Also, use the illustrative pictures inserted in this post for better understanding.

Tapeworm in Cats Symptoms

Symptoms of tapeworms in cats differ largely depending on the type of parasite and the location of an infection, but some of the common clinical signs are:

Diarrhea in cats
Worms that are visible in stool or worm seen near anus
Bloody stool
Bloating, potbellied appearance of the abdomen
Weight loss by cats
Vomiting
Coughing
Troubled breathing

Causes of Tapeworm in Cats

Fleas are usually the intermediate host for the parasite Dipylidium caninum. In other words, the tapeworm is thus unable to complete the life cycle without the presence of fleas in the environment. Regardless of whether the owner might have seen fleas, the cat should have ingested a flea so as to have the tapeworms.

Thus, tapeworms are common in environments which are heavily infested with the fleas. Lice are reported as intermediate hosts for the tapeworm but they are uncommon parasites of the cats.

First, tapeworm eggs should be ingested by flea larvae, which is an immature stage of a flea. Contact between flea larvae and the tapeworm eggs is then facilitated by the contaminated bedding or even the carpet. Adult fleas do not involve themselves in this particular part of tapeworm lifecycle. The infected flea larvae can then mature into adult fleas.

Next, the cat licks its skin in response to flea bites and swallows the flea. As the flea is digested within the intestine, the tapeworm is then released and thus hatches and anchors itself to the intestinal lining.

Tapeworm in Cats Poop

Tapeworms in cats are usually long, flat worms which attach themselves to your cat’s intestines. A tapeworm has several parts each having its own reproductive organs.

Tapeworm infections are diagnosed by finding the segments -which appear as white worms that appear like grains of rice or even the seeds – on the rear end of your cat, in your cat’s feces, as well as where your cat lives.

There are many different species of the tapeworms which can infect your cat, each having stage(s) in an intermediate host, which the cat eats. Some use fleas as intermediate host; others make use of small rodents, like squirrels, as intermediate hosts.

Tapeworms are normally intestinal parasites of cat and dog. They are normally classified as cestodes. They, therefore, belong to a different family than the hookworms and the roundworms, which are also intestinal parasites of dogs and cats. Several other types of tapeworms infect cats. Dipylidium caninum is the most common species that is observed in cats.

The tapeworms in cats then use its hook-like mouthparts for anchoring to the wall of the small intestine. Then, adult tapeworms can reach several inches. As the adult matures, individual segments which are known as the proglottids break off from the main body of tapeworm and then pass into cat’s feces.

Tapeworm in Cats Vomit

Usually, the cat is taken to veterinarian due to the owner’s aversion to the availability of the proglottids or tapeworm segments. Rarely, tapeworms in cats might lead to debilitation or even the weight loss if they are available in large numbers.

A cat can sometimes scoot or even drag its anus across the ground or carpet because of the anal irritation brought about by proglottids. But, this particular behavior is more common in dogs than in cats.

Sometimes, a tapeworm can release the attachment in intestines and then migrate to stomach. When this occurs, the cat can vomit an adult tapeworm that is several inches in length.

Tapeworms in Cats Pictures

What do tapeworms in cats look like? We have inserted excellent pictures of tapeworms on cats including those in cats poop and vomit. Using these pictures, you are able to understand and identify these tapeworms.

How to Get Rid of Tapeworms in Cats

Most of the cats are usually infected by tapeworm at some period of time in their lives. It is one of the common internal parasites that is suffered by pets, sometimes because tapeworms are transmitted by fleas.

But for cats, the tapeworm is treatable using oral medication. You may prevent tapeworm by ensuring vigilant flea control, keeping the cat’s coat and your home free of the pesky invaders.

Home Remedies for Tapeworm in Cats

1. Consumption of Raw Pumpkin Seed

Raw pumpkin seed is indicated for high levels of the anti-parasitic properties. Using the remedy can greatly assist get rid of any larvae or even the adult parasites present and also prevent them from returning. Combining the pumpkin seed with cat’s food can assist to fight the tapeworms in cats directly in intestines.

Required Ingredients:

1 cup of Raw, pumpkin seeds
Mortar and pestle
Wet cat food for your cat

Procedure:

Rinse the pumpkin seeds and then add some amount to mortar and pestle.
Crush the seeds into fine powder.
Add 1 teaspoon to the cat’s wet food and then stir.
Continue adding about one teaspoon of crushed pumpkin seed to your cat’s wet food at least once per day for a period of 21 days.

2. Consumption of Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth

Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth is a natural parasite fighting agent which is used to combat both internal and external parasites. In this particular case, for killing and preventing the tapeworms in cats, letting your cat take Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth is a potent remedy.

Required Ingredients:

Wet cat food for your cat
2 tbsps. of Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth

Procedure:

Combine the Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth with cat’s wet food at least once per day.
Continue to add the Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth to cat’s food for at least a period of one month.

3. Practicing Good Litter Box Hygiene

The litter box might be a contributing culprit to tapeworm infestation in cats, more especially if you have several cats in the home. Keeping a clean and disinfected litter box might assist to prevent the spread of present worms, as well as ensuring good hygiene for your cat.

Required Ingredients:

Litter Scoop
Fresh Litter and
Bleach

Procedure:

After each time your cat defecates, promptly get rid.
Scoop litter box several times in a day.
Change the litter to the fresh litter each week.
When you change the litter, clean and disinfect the litter box using bleach.
Make the cleaning regime a habit throughout the ownership of a cat.

4. Cleaning the Home

Keeping your home clean will prevent any eggs or larvae from attaching to surfaces in search of a host.

Required Ingredients:

Vacuum
Disinfectant and
Bleach

Procedure:

Vacuum your home daily, particular paying attention to the surfaces and the areas where your cat frequents.
Clean the hard surfaces using bleach and disinfectant so as to gather or get rid of any eggs or larvae.
Clean your home daily or every other day so as to ensure that assist to stop the spread of the worm infestation.

5. Consumption of Garlic Powder and Apple Cider Vinegar

The powerful antiseptic and the anti-bacterial qualities that are found in garlic are used for home remedies. Unknown to most, garlic also contains parasite fighting agents.

When your cat takes garlic, they can eradicate any parasites which are present in the intestinal tract.

A 2008 study was done to prove the effectiveness of the garlic against parasites like the tapeworms in cats. Over the course of 7 days, mice were be given crushed garlic to get rid of the worms that were present. According to the study, mice which received the garlic were fully cleared of parasites at 91% success.

Required Ingredients:

Wet cat food for your cat’s
Dropper
Apple Cider Vinegar and
1 tablespoon of garlic powder

Procedure:

Let your cat go without food for a night before giving the cat garlic powder.
During fast, add about 3 drops of Apple Cider Vinegar to drinking water.
The next morning, add garlic powder to wet food.
Repeat adding the garlic to evening meal also.
Follow the regiment for about two weeks.

6. Cleaning the Yard

Keep your yard clean so as to help prevent worms from infesting your cat. When you keep your yard in order, you can get rid of the chance of fleas as they are the main carriers of tapeworms in cats.

Required Ingredients:

Rake
Shears
Weed Eater
Mower

Procedure:

Get rid of any fallen leaves or even the dead plants.
Trim any shrubs, or trees that are overgrown.
Keep your yard free from the weeds and the tall grass, as the areas provide homes for flea larvae.
Maintain a clean yard at all times so as to keep away fleas.

7. Consumption of Parsley Water

Fresh parsley has high levels of vitamins and the nutrients, but it is useful during a deworming of the tapeworms in cats treatment as it is a diuretic. A diuretic substance can allow the body and the internal systems to function properly and stay healthy.

In addition, parsley has very high amounts of the antioxidants and assists to get rid of toxins.

Required Ingredients:

1 bunch of fresh parsley
1 quart of boiled water
Storage jar

Procedure:

Add the parsley to boiled water and let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
Remove from heat and allow it to cool.
Strain it from water and add it to a storage
Keep the parsley tea in the fridge for up to three weeks.
Add about ½ tbsp. of parsley tea to cat’s drinking water at least once each day for a period of 15 days.

8. Consumption of Fresh Papaya

Fresh papaya can greatly assist in digestive health and provide essential nutrients to your cat. Papaya can help the intestines get tapeworms in cats out of digestive tract.

Required Ingredients:

Knife
Chopping board
Fresh papaya and
Wet cat food for your cat

Procedure:

Wash and then finely chop fresh papaya in small pieces.
Combine about ½ tsp of finely chopped fresh papaya to cat’s wet food.
Add ½ tsp once per day for two weeks so as to see results.

9. Consumption of Grapefruit Seed Extract

Grapefruit seed extract is potent for fighting against any fungal, bacterial, as well as parasitical infections. Grapefruit seed extract is effective in fighting off the single and the multi-celled parasites such as tapeworms in cats.

In addition, several compounds naturally occurring in grapefruit seed extract are:

High levels of Vitamin C
Hesperidin- an immune booster
High levels of antioxidants

Required Ingredients:

1 jar of grapefruit seed extract
Blender or mortar and pestle

Procedure:

Grind grapefruit seed extract into a fine
Add 7mg of the powder per every 2 pounds of cat directly to food.
Add the powder at most once per day for a period of 14 days

10. Consumption of Turmeric

Turmeric is indicated for its several health benefits for people, and animals are can benefit from consuming the turmeric.

Turmeric is powerful in fighting tapeworms in cats because of the four parasite combating agents which are naturally found in the turmeric.

In addition, turmeric is an anti-inflammatory which can assist in any intestinal swelling or discomfort brought about by the presence of worms.

Required Ingredients:

Dried turmeric powder
Wet cat food

Procedure:

For every 5 pounds of weight, add 1/16^th of a teaspoon to cat’s wet food.
Combine them well.
Add turmeric to cat’s daily food once per day for at least ten days.

Tapeworms in Cats Treatment

How are tapeworms diagnosed?

Most commonly, owners indicate that the cat is having tapeworms and then bring this to the attention of a veterinarian. When the terminal segments of tapeworm break off and then pass into cat’s stool, then they can crawl on the surface of the feces.

These particular proglottids segments appear like grains of the cooked white rice or even the cucumber seeds. Less commonly, segments were seen moving around the cat’s anus. Each of the proglottids capsules has up to 20 tapeworm eggs.

When the proglottids are then released into the environment, they dehydrate and finally harden, thus becoming smaller and taking on a golden color. They then break open and release contents.

You should also keenly note that tapeworms are not diagnosed with the routine fecal examinations. Due to this, you should notify veterinarian when tapeworm segments are found in cat’s stool.

What is the treatment for tapeworms in cats?

A variety of products are normally available in the treatment of tapeworms in cats but they are not all effective. For the best advice on the type of de-worming preparation that is most suitable for your cat, you should seek the help of the veterinarian. The most effective worming products are available by prescription from a licensed veterinarian.

The deworming medication known as an anthelmintic might be given as a tablet or even as an injection. After treatment, the tapeworm then dies and is digested within the intestine, so the worm segments don’t pass into the stool. Side effects, like vomiting and diarrhea, are rarely reported with newer tapeworm medications.

Are Tapeworms in Cats Contagious?

Tapeworms in cats can only be transmitted through a type of intermediate host. The cat has got to eat either a flea or a mouse which is having a tapeworm. The segments found are not contagious to other cats or even people at all. There’s no need to confine the cat while being treated.

If he is repeatedly having tapeworms, you might want to make sure that he is on a prescription flea product or, if you think he is getting them from eating of the mice, then you might need to deworm him every few months.

How to Prevent Tapeworms in Cats

Cats are susceptible to infection by the parasitic worms, which can lead to serious health problems. As a worm infection might be very difficult and timely to treat, the best means of dealing with the worms is through prevention.

You can protect your cat from worms by having it inside and also providing a clean environment. Fleas may transmit parasites like tapeworms in cats. Flea protection is crucial for keeping the cat safe from worms. In the event that your cat is having worms, see a veterinarian to go over your several treatment options.

Protecting Your Cat from Worms

Watch what your cat eats.

If you have an indoor cat, then your cat should be safe from several worms as long as it is being fed on high-quality pet food. But, if you let your cat move outdoors, then make sure that you keep an eye on it. Do not let the cat go outside unsupervised.

Cats can contract worms from the dead animals, such as mice and birds.

You should never feed the cat raw meat or even undercooked meat. Your cat can contract worms from this.

Give your cat heartworm medication.

Heartworm is a concern for pet owners and might have major health consequences. Talk to your vet about monthly medication so as to prevent the heartworm. Heartworm medication can be injected, administered as a pill, or even applied topically.

Heartworm medication requires application on a strict schedule. Make sure that you write down on a calendar when you give your cat the medication and thus when the next dosage is due.

Strive to keep cats

For several reasons, allowing cats go outside is not normally recommended. In addition to being exposed to dangers such as predator and cars, outdoor cats are more likely to contract the tapeworms.

It’s better to keep the cats inside, as they will be healthier and will live longer.

If your cat enjoys going outside, only let it out supervised. You can as well get a harness for the cat and then take it out only for short walks.

Isolate infected animals.

If you find that a pet has worms, isolate the pet from other animals immediately. Worms can be transmitted through the food bowls, litter boxes, and water bowls.

A cat that is infected with worms should have its own food bowl, water bowl and a litter box. Keep the infected cat in its own room in the house until a veterinarian confirms that you have effectively treated them.

You should as well get all animals tested for worms. If one animal is having worms, then it’s likely that the others do also. Worms should be treated as soon as possible so as to prevent complications.

Inspect your cat’s feces regularly.

This is crucial if you have an outdoor cat. But, even indoor cats can contract worms if transmitted through bugs which get in your home.

So, ensure that your cat’s feces are inspected at least twice a year so that you catch and treat worms early. If you have an outdoor cat, then you might require frequent testing.

Preventing Fleas

Apply medication to prevent fleas

Fleas are one of the causes of tapeworms in cats. Fleas carry worms and can transfer them to cats that they infect.

Preventative flea medications are obtained at your vet’s office. These can be used to deter fleas from infecting the cat. They are important if you have an outdoor cat.

Flea medications are administered topically to the cat’s skin. Talk to your vet about how to well administer the medication.

Brush your cat with a flea comb once a week.

You can then purchase a flea comb at a pet store. Once in a week, give the cat a thorough brushing using the flea comb.

You should ensure that you wash your pet’s bedding at least once a week. In the event fleas did get into your home, washing the pet’s bedding can help get rid of flea larvae.

Try to keep your cat inside.

Fleas are more likely to infect the outdoor cats. This is one of the several reasons it’s better to keep your cat inside. Indoor cats live longer and less likely to be infected with fleas.

Addressing an Infection

Watch for symptoms of worms

Make sure to understand symptoms of tapeworms in cats so that you can spot and treat them. Worms might be very hard to see using the naked eye, but your cat might develop several symptoms.

Make sure that you get your cat’s feces tested, even if it doesn’t show any signs of having the worms. Some cats might not have the symptoms. Symptoms of worms are as indicated in an earlier section of this post.

Make an appointment with your veterinarian.

Do not try to treat tapeworms in cats on your own, especially if you don’t have any official diagnosis.

Worms are usually a medical condition which should be addressed by a qualified veterinarian. If you suspect that the cat has worms, then take it to vet for proper diagnosis.

Protect yourself from an infection.

In very rare cases, tapeworms in cats can be transmitted from a cat to a person. Worms can lead to health problems if they are contracted, so take proper measures so as to protect yourself from worms.

Always wash hands after petting a cat that is infected with worms.