What exactly are tapeworms?
Ticks, →mites or →fleas are familiar to almost everyone. These are so-called ectoparasites. Ecto, because they live on the outside of an animal's skin. Tapeworms are endoparasites. Endo, because they live inside an animal. They get their name from their ribbon-like appearance and grow to be about 60cm long. Most worms use hook-shaped organs to attach themselves in the small intestine and extract nutrients from the food pulp of the cat.
How does my cat get a tapeworm?
Tapeworms are usually transmitted by ectoparasites, such as the most common tapeworm found in cats, the so-called cucumber tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum), which is transmitted by fleas. The also very common cat tapeworm (Taenia taeniaeformis) is transmitted by birds or mice.
How do I recognize a tapeworm in my cat?
Since a tapeworm lives well hidden inside your cat, it is usually only discovered late. First signs are a bloated, round "worm belly" (especially in young cats), scruffy coat and increased defecation accompanied by diarrhea or blood.
Watch out for the following symptoms to recognize a tapeworm in your cat early:
dull coat
→appetite and weight loss
lethargy and fatigue
→diarrhea and vomiting
Deficiency symptoms, because the →nutrient supply is insufficient
itchiness in the anal area
bloated belly
It’s also worth taking a closer look at your cat’s stool, even if it’s a bit unpleasant. A sign of tapeworms is small, white crumbs in the stool. These are tapeworm segments through which the parasite spreads. Dispose of the infested stool of your cat completely and hygienically clean in a well-sealed bag in the household trash to prevent further spread.
If tapeworms are suspected, your cat must be examined by a veterinarian and a deworming treatment started.
Properly treating tapeworms
If you suspect that your cat may have a tapeworm, you should immediately consult a veterinarian. It’s best to bring a stool sample to the clinic, as a worm infestation is usually detected by a stool examination. If your suspicion is confirmed, you can start a deworming treatment right away.
Through deworming, the existing (tapeworms) die off and can be excreted through the stool. Your cat will receive special medication against tapeworms. These are often tablets that you can give your cat with some food or a tasty treat.
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If you have a young kitten, you should waste no time and go to a clinic. The young immune-deficient kittens suffer more severely from the effects of a tapeworm infestation. If left untreated for a longer period, it can even become life-threatening for them.
Preventing and avoiding tapeworms in your cat
The bad news: You cannot completely prevent your kitty from getting worms at some point in her life. Even contact with rodents, birds, or other cats is often enough for her to catch a tapeworm.
The good news, however, is that you have several options to prevent tapeworm infection and →other parasites. This mainly includes a regular deworming and consistent flea control. In addition, food bowls, sleeping areas, and litter boxes should always be hygienically clean and also other animals living in the household should be treated for parasites or checked.
Regular deworming can protect your cat from tapeworms and other worms. It’s best to discuss the treatment with your veterinarian!
How often do I need to deworm my cat?
In general, the risk of tapeworm infection in cats varies depending on their living conditions. Thus, feeding and housing of your feline friends significantly influence the health of the animals.
If there is no increased risk of infection as is the case with indoor cats, you can deworm preventively every 3 months. For outdoor cats, who roam around a lot, have contact with other cats, and often bring home a mouse, the risk of tapeworm infection increases. In this case, a monthly tapeworm stool examination and if necessary, deworming may be advisable.
