Worms in Cats & Dogs

Worms can affect the health of both dogs and cats by taking their nutrients. While worms can make dogs and cats miserable, they are easy to treat by making a trip to the veterinarian.

  1. Causes

    • Worms are more likely to occur in dogs, as they are omnivores that will eat just about anything they find--even if it is obviously worm infested. Cats can be afflicted as well, particularly if they have had problems with fleas.

    Symptoms

    • Loss of appetite, diarrhea, constipation and vomiting can all signify worm infestation in dogs and cats. More obviously, worms often show up in an animal's stool if they are present.

    Dangers

    • Worms get into an animal's stomach lining or intestinal wall and eat nutrients that the animal needs. This can result in a cat or dog becoming malnourished, and in rare cases in which the infestation is not treated, worms can be fatal.

    Prevention

    • Worms can be prevented by keeping pets away from stray animals and taking them for routine checkups at the veterinarian's office. Additionally, flea medication will lessen the chances of worm infestation, as will a clean litter box for cats.

    Solution

    • Veterinarians can treat worms by prescribing a de-worming medication that must be administered to dogs and cats multiple times over the course of several weeks.