My Cat Has Worms, How Do I Clean My House?

Pets are wonderful companions. The unconditional love and laughs they constantly provide are irreplaceable. Still, there is a downside to sharing your home with a pet that doesn’t know how to use the toilet.

The messes pets leave behind can be very unpleasant, to say the least. Cats that have with worms in particular may leave behind some nasty surprises.

Scrub the area where your cat got sick with water, detergent, and enzyme cleaners. Enzyme cleaners help remove the stain, but you must scrub the area with soap and water first. Bring your cat to the vet or the stains will continue until the worms are gone.

Worms can compromise your cat’s health and also affect your home environment. You must address them promptly to prevent things from getting any worse. The information included in this article should help you deal with those parasites better.

According to PetMD, cats mainly get worms after coming into contact with eggs or other infected particles embedded in feces. It’s not your cat’s own feces that are problematic in this instance. Instead, it’s the droppings of other infected animals outdoors that are worrisome.

If your pet steps in some infected feces and grooms that stained spot, he/she may unknowingly ingest the parasites. It’s also possible that your pet may ingest the infected feces directly. Another potential explanation for your ailing cat is their diet. We all know cats eat mice and that can be an issue. Mice may have worm larvae in their tissues and your cat may consume them too.

Fleas that have somehow clung to your cat’s fur can cause trouble too. If your cat eats an infected flea while grooming, he/she may get worms.

The signs that your cat has worms are hard to miss. You’ll be able to notice them quickly because your furry friend will definitely act differently and appear weak.

The way your cat moves around may change because of worms. The worms may cause your cat to become lethargic. Cats may also drag their bottoms along the floor because of the irritation caused by the worms.

Pets dealing with parasites may also lose weight suddenly even though their eating habits have not changed. Their fur may also look and feel rough after the worms have settled in.

Diarrhea and vomiting are also symptoms of a cat with worms. You need to address those symptoms right away both for the welfare of your pet and your home.

Looking at your cat’s droppings can clue you into his/her current condition. When evaluating poop, in particular, the shape and color should be taken into consideration.

Healthy/normal poop appears cylindrical and it also feels soft but not overly so. Dark brown poop is also perfectly normal in cats. Cats suffering from diarrhea will not expel poop that fits that previous description.

According to Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, stools expelled by cats affected with diarrhea feature a distinctive appearance. They look watery and discolored, and its smell will be worse than normal.

To avoid the problems stemming from worms, the best thing you can do is to have your cat examined. Go to the veterinarian and ask him/her to perform the necessary exams on your pet. If worms do show up, the veterinarian can quickly treat your cat for them.

You can also opt to keep your cat from going outside to prevent an infection. Consider investing in new doors to prevent your pet from escaping outside.

Notably, though, that will only reduce the chances of your pet getting worms. They could still get infected without heading outside. Protecting your cat against fleas is also smart. Use flea collars and powders regularly to keep those parasites away.

By taking those precautionary measures, you can keep your pet safe and your home clean. However, if your cat already has worms, you’ll have to take a different approach.

Related Questions

Can an Indoor Cat Get Worms?

As we hinted at earlier, keeping your cat indoors can lower his/her chances of getting worms. However, those chances are still not zero.If you have a mouse problem at home, it’s possible that your indoor cat catches one and gets infected. Even some lizards are known to carry parasites that can be harmful to cats.You could also be unwittingly carrying infected insects into your home. Fleas are capable of latching onto clothes and gaining entry into your home that way. Once inside your home, fleas could go to your cat and cause an infection.

Can You Get Rid of Worms Without Going to the Veterinarian?

Don’t bank on widely available medication being enough to get rid of your cat’s worms. According to How Stuff Works, those forms of medication often lack the strength needed to eliminate the parasites in question.Your best bet if you suspect your cat has worms is to schedule a vet appointment as soon as possible. The veterinarian will be able to identify the specific type of worm affecting your pet and prescribe appropriate medication. Along with more effective treatment, your cat can also recover faster after a visit to the vet.

Can You Get Worms from Your Pet?

Unfortunately, there is a chance that you could also be infected by worms because of your cat. You can take some precautionary measures that will prevent that from happening though.For instance, if you know you’re passing through an area where you cat poops often, don’t go barefoot. You can prevent the parasites from coming into contact with your skin that way. Wearing gloves when picking up poop and/or gardening is also a good safety tip.Just remember to be careful around cat poop at all times. Even if you think you’re being too cautious, that would still be preferable to getting sick. You should also make it a habit to clean up after your pet right away to keep parasites from spreading.