Dog & cat health · Vet-reviewed guide

Worms in Cats: Types, Signs, and Treatment

Most cats get worms at some point, and many show no obvious signs until you spot something in the litter box. Here's what to look for and what the common types are.

Quick answer: Worms in cats are common intestinal parasites, and the thing to know upfront is that you cannot reliably deworm a cat at home, because the right medicine depends on which worm it is. The main types are roundworms, tapeworms, and hookworms, and each needs a different dewormer, so a broad "get rid of worms" product or a "natural" remedy often misses the actual parasite.

The reliable path is a fecal test, where a vet examines a stool sample under the microscope to identify the worm, then prescribes the medicine that targets it. Signs of worms include seeing worms or rice-like segments in the stool or around the rear, a pot-bellied kitten, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, or scooting. Some cat worms can also infect people, which is another reason to treat them properly rather than guess. This guide covers the types, the signs, and how worms are actually diagnosed and treated.

The common types of worm

• Roundworms. The most common; look like spaghetti. Kittens often get them through their mother's milk.²
• Tapeworms. Flat, segmented worms whose rice-like segments appear near the anus or in bedding. Cats get them from swallowing an infected flea. See our tapeworm guide.
• Hookworms. Tiny worms that attach to the gut wall and can cause anemia.

To tell them apart by appearance, see our guide on what worms in cats look like. A separate parasite, heartworm, is not an intestinal worm and is far more serious; see cat heartworm.

Signs your cat has worms

Watch for worms or rice-like segments in the stool or stuck to the fur near the rear, a bloated or pot-bellied belly (especially in kittens), weight loss despite a good appetite, vomiting or diarrhea, a dull coat, and scooting.² Some cats show no signs at all, which is why routine fecal checks matter.

Why you can't reliably deworm at home

This is the key point. Because each worm type needs a specific medicine, a random over-the-counter dewormer or a "natural" remedy often does not match the actual parasite, so it is not always the answer and fails while the worms continue.² Tapeworms in particular need a specific drug that broad-spectrum products may not cover. Guessing wastes time and money; a fecal test identifies the culprit so the right medicine is used the first time.

How worms are diagnosed and treated

A vet examines a stool sample under the microscope to find worm eggs or segments, then prescribes a dewormer matched to the parasite.² Most intestinal worms clear well with the correct medication. Any prescribed dewormer must be chosen by a vet for your cat. See how our vet prescription service works.

A note on people

Some cat worms, including roundworms and hookworms, can infect humans, especially children, through contaminated soil or litter.² Good litter hygiene, hand-washing, and keeping your cat on vet-guided parasite prevention protect the whole household.

When to see a vet

See a vet if you spot worms, if a kitten is pot-bellied or failing to thrive, or if your cat has ongoing vomiting, diarrhea, or weight loss.² Kittens especially need early, vet-guided deworming.