What? My Indoor Cats Can Get Worms?

Yes they sure can! Cats (indoor or outdoor) being the hunters that they are, require frequent deworming throughout the year. So how do indoor cats get infected with worms?

 Household Pests

Indoor cats will hunt just about anything in your home. Rodents, insects, and other household pests harbor worm eggs, which are passed on to your cat when he devours them. Mice and the common house fly are just two of the many critters that can carry roundworms eggs. Mosquitoes and ticks can transmit parasites to your pet by biting them.

Home Contamination

Even if your kitty never goes outside, there’s a good chance that members of the household come and go on a daily basis. Microscopic worm eggs can lay dormant for months, so it’s easy to track them in on clothing and footwear. There’s no way to avoid them completely when you are outdoors, but you can lower the chances of contamination by removing or cleaning shoes before entering the house.

Transfer From Cat to Cat or Dog to Cat

If you have both indoor and outdoor kitties or a dog, be prepared for parasites and diseases to spread among them. Your cat can pick up a case of worms by sharing a litter box with the other infected cat. A cat can also be infected by grooming your dog or sharing the dog’s food and water bowls.

Humans can also contract roundworms, tapeworms, and other parasites as well, so keep children away from litter boxes and wash their hands after contact with the cat.

Written by Baxter Animal Hospital