How to Identify, Treat and Prevent Roundworms in Cats

Roundworms are the most common form of parasites found inside a cat. Almost all the cats get infected by roundworms sometime in their lives, usually as kittens. Roundworms may be contracted in different ways, making them easy to spread and hard to control.

A cat can eat mice or other animals that carry young worms and get infested. Infection in kittens may also occur through their mother’s milk. Let’s have a look at the ways in which this infestation occurs and affects your cat in a more detailed manner.

How does roundworm affect your cat?

Adult roundworms live in the cat’s intestines. Cats with severe roundworm infestation can suffer from potbellied appearance, weight loss, dull hair, and weight loss. On the contrary, most cats might not show any signs of infection. If roundworms make their way to your cat’s lungs it can cause chronic cough to them.

You may also notice adult roundworms in your cat’s feces or vomit. It can be several inches long and may appear light brown or white in color.

How to Protect Your Cat From Getting Roundworms?

A cat can ingest roundworms in many ways and so it is important that you provide her with a clean environment. You should also make sure they stay indoors so they don’t eat wild animals that carry worms.

Kittens between three and nine weeks of age should be treated for roundworms every 2 weeks and then receive a monthly preventive treatment. A fecal examination should be conducted 2 to 4 times in the first year of life and 1 or 2 times each year in adults.

A monthly parasite control product like Cazitel Tablets for Cats is effective against roundworms and recommended to treat potential new infections. You can also opt for heartworm treatments as many of them also provide protection from roundworms.

Do You Know?

• People can get roundworms from contact with feces or contaminated soil. Pregnant women and children are more prone to this.
• Roundworms can be ingested by your cat in an unclean environment, through feces or by eating other wild animals.
• Most cats are infected with roundworms at some point in their life. They often show no symptoms.
• If your cat has a major roundworm infection she might suffer from weight loss, dull hair, and a potbellied appearance.
• Your cat’s vomit or feces may have roundworms.
• Your cat can also get infected by other types of worms like hookworms, tapeworms or heartworms.
• Your veterinarian can help you with roundworm prevention, examination, and treatment.

Internal worms can affect both indoor as well as outdoor cats. The only way to keep your cat worm free and in optimum health is by treating her with an effective de-worming program and by making regular visits to your vet.