Finding worms, or signs of them, in your cat is unpleasant, but it’s also very common and very treatable. Most cats encounter intestinal worms at some point, especially kittens, hunters, and cats exposed to fleas. The keys are knowing what you’re looking at, getting the right treatment (the over-the-counter “natural” route usually isn’t enough), and preventing the next round.
This guide explains the common types of worms in cats, what they look like, the symptoms, how cats catch them, whether they’re contagious to people, and how they’re treated. As an in-home pet care service in Jacksonville, keeping an eye on litter boxes and overall health is part of every cat visit, see our Jacksonville cat care guide.
The common types of worms in cats
| Worm | What it’s like | How cats get it |
| Roundworm | The most common; long, spaghetti-like | Mother’s milk, environment, eating prey |
| Tapeworm | Flat, segmented; sheds rice-like pieces | Swallowing an infected flea, or eating prey |
| Hookworm | Tiny; attaches to the gut and feeds on blood (can cause anemia) | Larvae in the environment, or prey |
| Whipworm | Less common in cats | Contaminated environment |
A quick note: heartworms and lungworms are different, they don’t live in the intestines, and heartworm is spread by mosquitoes. And ringworm isn’t a worm at all, it’s a fungal skin infection despite the name.
What do cat worms look like?
This is what most owners want to know, since you can often spot worms in the stool, in vomit, or around your cat’s rear:
- Rice-like or sesame-seed-like segments (around the anus, in the fur, or in the stool, sometimes still wriggling) are tapeworm
- Long, thin, spaghetti or noodle-like worms (in stool or vomit) are roundworms.
- Very thin, threadlike worms that are hard to see are usually hookworms, often you won’t see these at all and they’re found by a stool test.
- Small white worms in the stool are most often roundworms or tapeworm segments.
If you can, pop a sample (or a clear photo) in a bag for your vet, it really helps with identification.
Symptoms of worms in cats
- Visible worms or rice-like segments in stool, vomit, or around the anus
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Weight loss, sometimes despite a good appetite
- A bloated, pot-bellied look (especially in kittens)
- A dull, poor coat
- Scooting or excessive licking of the rear
- Pale gums and low energy (a sign of anemia, more with hookworms)
Some cats, especially adults, show few or no signs, which is why routine deworming and vet checks matter. Worms are also a common cause of an upset stomach, see our guide on why cats throw up.
How do cats get worms?
- From their mother, roundworms can pass through the milk to kittens.
- From fleas, swallowing an infected flea (often while grooming) is the classic route for tapeworms.
- From hunting, eating rodents, birds, or other prey.
- From the environment, contact with infected soil, feces, or contaminated areas.
And yes, indoor cats can get worms too, fleas can come inside, and a single hunted bug or mouse is enough.
Are cat worms contagious to humans?
Some are. Roundworms and hookworms can infect people (children are most at risk), usually through contact with contaminated soil or feces, which is why hand-washing and prompt litter scooping matter. Tapeworms rarely pass to humans, and only by accidentally swallowing an infected flea. Worms also spread between pets, so when one is treated, your vet may recommend treating the others.
Can you treat worms in cats naturally?
It’s a popular search, so here’s the straight answer: “natural” home remedies are not a reliable way to clear worms. Things like pumpkin seeds or diet tweaks won’t dependably kill an established infestation, and waiting on them lets the problem (and the risk to other pets and people) continue. The good news is that proper dewormers are safe, inexpensive, and very effective, and your vet will match the dewormer to the type of worm. For tapeworms, you also have to control the fleas, or they’ll just come back.
How worms are diagnosed and treated
Your vet can confirm worms with a simple fecal (stool) test, important because not all worms are visible and different worms need different treatment. Deworming medication is then given, sometimes as a single dose, sometimes repeated to catch newly hatched worms. Broad-spectrum “all-worm” dewormers exist, but it’s best to deworm based on what your cat actually has, and to treat all pets in the home (plus fleas for tapeworm). Follow your vet’s full plan.
How to prevent worms
- Keep up with a routine deworming and parasite-prevention schedule (many monthly products cover intestinal worms too).
- Control fleas year-round, this is how you prevent tapeworms.
- Scoop the litter box daily and wash hands.
- Limit hunting where you can.
- Keep up with regular vet checks and stool tests.
Kittens, pregnant cats, and seniors
Kittens are commonly born with or quickly pick up roundworms, so they’re dewormed on a routine schedule starting at just a few weeks old. Pregnant and nursing cats can pass worms to their litter, so they’re part of the plan too, see our guide on cat pregnancy. Senior cats and any cat losing weight or looking unwell should be checked, see our senior cat care guide.
A quick Jacksonville note
Our long flea season makes tapeworms especially common here, and outdoor or hunting cats face more exposure all around. Year-round flea control and routine deworming are your best defense. If you’d like trained eyes on your cat’s litter box, appetite, and weight while you’re away, our professional cat sitting in Jacksonville helps catch issues early.
Frequently asked questions
What do worms in cats look like? Tapeworms shed small, rice- or sesame-seed-like segments around the anus or in the stool; roundworms look like long, spaghetti-like strands in stool or vomit; hookworms are thin and usually too small to see. Small white worms are most often roundworms or tapeworm segments.
What are the white, rice-like worms in my cat? Those are usually tapeworm segments, which look like grains of rice and may be found around your cat’s rear or in their bedding. Tapeworms come from swallowing infected fleas, so treatment includes flea control.
Can I get rid of worms in my cat naturally? Natural home remedies aren’t a reliable way to eliminate worms. Safe, inexpensive, vet-recommended dewormers work far better, your vet will match the treatment to the type of worm and advise on flea control.
What are the signs of worms in cats? Common signs include visible worms or segments, vomiting or diarrhea, weight loss, a pot-bellied look (in kittens), a dull coat, scooting, and pale gums or low energy. Some cats show no symptoms.
Are cat worms contagious to humans? Some are, roundworms and hookworms can infect people (especially children) through contaminated soil or feces, so wash hands and scoop litter promptly. Tapeworms only rarely pass to humans, via swallowing an infected flea.
How do indoor cats get worms? Indoor cats can still get worms from fleas that come inside, from hunting the occasional bug or mouse, or from a mother cat. Routine prevention is still important for indoor cats.
How are worms in cats treated? With a vet-recommended dewormer matched to the worm type, sometimes repeated, along with flea control for tapeworms and treating other pets in the home. A stool test confirms which worms are present.
This article is general educational information and is not a substitute for veterinary advice. If you see worms or signs of them, or your cat is losing weight, vomiting, or has diarrhea, see your veterinarian for the right dewormer and a treatment plan.
