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It has been estimated that one out of every two cats has some form of worm infestation.  If you recently discovered that your own cat has worms, understanding what causes worms can help make the right decisions regarding your pet's treatment.

How Cats Get Worms
Worms enter a cat’s body through ingestion or skin contact, depending on the type of worm it is. They will inhabit a cat's digestive track, including both the stomach and intestines, and feed off of the food passing through the cat.  The worms will eventually propagate inside the cat, producing eggs that are discharged in the cat's stool.  Cats that go outdoors are often more prone to worm infestations, particularly if they are in the habit of eating birds and rodents, or hanging out with other outdoor cats. If you have both indoor and outdoor cats, there's a good chance that your indoor cats will become infected if your outdoor cat has worms.

The most common types of cat worms are roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms and lungworms.  A roundworm looks like a piece of spaghetti and can reach three to four inches in length depending on the age of the worm.  Severe infections of roundworm can result in serious health problems for cats and may even be fatal.   Hookworms have the same appearance, but are somewhat smaller, growing to approximately 10 cm in length.  A very serious infestation can also cause fatalities.  Tapeworms are long and flat, and can be uncomfortable for the cat due to anal itching and irritation, but are not a significant health risk.  Lungworms are similar in appearance to hair, and infect a cat's respiratory system.  There are several types of lungworms, including Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, Capillaria aerophilia and Paragonimus kellicotti.

Cats acquire these worms in similar ways, by ingesting something that has the worm already in it.  Roundworms are often found in rodents or the feces of an infected cat.  A young kitten can also get roundworms from the mother's milk.  A cat can become infected with hookworms through ingestion or skin contact.  Tapeworms are transmitted from fleas and rodents, and lungworms come from snails and slugs, or birds and rodents that have eaten a snail or slug.

Cat Worms Symptoms
Worm symptoms can include worms visible around a cat's anus or in their stool, dull hair coat, loss of appetite, diarrhea, bloody stool, bloated abdomen, vomiting, weight loss, coughing, breathing difficulties and constipation.  Cats can also have infections without any symptoms at all. 

Cat Worms Treatment
If you see worms near the cats anus or stool, then you cat has worms. You can also take your cat to your veterinarian, who will administer a fecal test.  If the test is positive, deworming medication will be recommended.  Worms, fleas and ticks can be ongoing problems for cats.  One of the best ways I have found to keep eliminate parasites from my cat and keep them healthy and worm-free is with Diatomaceous Earth.  This is an amazing natural product that has become extremely popular with pet owners looking for safe, natural parasite control solutions for their pets.

Diatomaceous Earth  Food Grade
Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is the fossilized remains of one-celled plants (algae) called diatoms that lived in oceans and lakes in various parts of the world, including the United States. The DE you buy has been taken from underwater or dry lake beds, and is many thousands of years old.  It has both EPA and FDA approval for indoor and outdoor use and internal and external use.  DE can be used to dry out roundworms and tapeworms, and will get rid of fleas, ticks, ants, bed bugs, and more. DE is easily put in a cat's wet food.  When I gave my cats DE, within a few days their coats were shinier, which is a good sign of improved health.  Over a period of a week or so, the external parasites such as fleas began to disappear, and their stool was worm-free.   It is important that you do not use anything but FOOD GRADE Diatomaceous Earth, as non-food grade DE has been treated with chemicals.  This is a completely safe and natural product that has many, many uses.  I give my cats ½ teaspoon in their wet food each day. If your cats begin detoxing too quickly, reduce the amount you are giving them, and slowly increase the amount.  I also found that if I dust areas with DE such as couches,chairs and beds, any lurking critters such as fleas will go away. DE is also extremely affordable, less than $25 for 10 pounds - and you will use it all!  Check it out:

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Best,
Rose