Information on Hookworms in Cats

Hookworms are the most common parasite affecting cats. Unfortunately, they are also one of the most fatal parasites that our feline companions face. Diagnosis of hookworm infection is not as easy as with other parasites, but, luckily, treatment options are often extremely effective if the infection is detected early.

  1. What Are Hookworms?

    • Hookworms have small hooks that attach to the intestinal walls of the cat host. Hookworms ingest the hosts' blood through the intestinal walls, and, left untreated, can cause anemia and eventually death.

    Symptoms of Hookworms in Cats

    • Untreated hookworms can be fatal.

      Hookworms are not seen visibly, as cats rarely vomit or pass hookworms unless they are under current treatment. Some cats with hookworm infections develop chronic diarrhea. However, the main symptom of infection is anemia. The gums become pale, and often the cat grows weak and lethargic. The coat dulls and eventually the cat becomes emaciated. Left untreated, hookworms are eventually fatal.

    Diagnosing Hookworms

    • Hookworms are primarily detected through a miscroscopic inspection of a fecal sample.

      Because cats rarely pass or vomit hookworms, diagnosis is made through a fecal analysis. When adult hookworms lay eggs, most of the eggs pass through the digestive system and appear in a stool sample when examined under a microscope.

    Treatment for Hookworms

    • The basic treatment options for hookworms are either topical or oral dewormers. All hookworm treatments can kill only those hookworms in the intestinal tract, not those migrating from other parts of the body or still in the egg stage. Therefore, you must repeat deworming 30 days after the initial treatment and again six months after the initial treatment.

    Preventing Hookworms

    • Kittens are particularly susceptible to the fatal effects of hookworm-induced anemia.

      Hookworms can live in the soil and migrate through the skin of a cat. Therefore, cats who are allowed outside should be dewormed every six months to prevent infestation. Ideally, you should keep cats indoors to minimize exposure. Mother cats pass hookworms to kittens. As a result, the Companion Animal Parasite Council recommends treating kittens for potential hookworms at two, four, six and eight weeks of age.