Causes of Worms in the Stool of a Cat

The presence of worms in a cat's stool signals an underlying issue. Identification of worms in your cat's feces can be difficult, but it's important since there are different kinds of worms, and each type of worm has a different cause of infestation. Tapeworms, roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms are the types of worms that are usually visible in cat stools. There are several reasons why worms are in a cat's stool, including the transfer of worm larvae and contact with other infected cats.

  1. Fleas

    • You can see tapeworms around or inside your cat's anus and inside the stool, but they are not considered life threatening. To become infested with tapeworms, your cat probably ate products that contain flea eggs or a rodent such as a mouse. Once your cat ingests flea larvae, the larvae hatch and develop into tapeworms. Tapeworms in cats are transferable to humans, especially small children. Minimize your child's contact with infected cats until the problem is remedied. Treatment for tapeworms include administering pyrantel pamoate, which is effective, not only for tapeworms, but also for hookworms and some roundworms.

    Transfer From Mother to Kittens

    • Both roundworms and hookworms are transferred during pregnancy and direct contact with the mother. Additionally, when breastfeeding occurs, the mother's milk transfers larvae to the kittens. Moreover, contact with soil that is infected with roundworms or hookworms causes infestation or when your cat feeds on something that has ingested worm larvae. Roundworms can be passed to small children, which could pose health problems; therefore, watch whom and what your cat is in contact with. Screen and treat the mother cat before she breeds to prevent the spread of worm infestations from mother to kittens.

    Fecal Contact

    • Contact with infected feces from another cat or animal is a common cause in virtually all types of worm infestations. Once a cat lays stool, worm eggs or the actual worm is present. Your cat may smell or come into contact with worm-infested cat feces. Eggs and worms easily transfer to an uninfected cat through skin penetration. Fecal contact transfers most worms, such as tapeworms, roundworms and hookworms; therefore, monitor your cat's contact with other cats as well as with fecal matter.