How Do Cats Get Worms?

The most common type of tapeworm infecting cats (Dipylidium caninum) is transmitted through fleas. Due to cats’ natural grooming behavior, they often groom off and ingest fleas, frequently before cat owners even see evidence of fleas. NexGard® COMBO topical solution is the only broad-spectrum parasiticide that treats tapeworms and fleas. 
 
While the risk of acquiring a flea infestation may be higher for outdoor cats, indoor-only cats are also commonly infested by fleas, since fleas can be brought into the home by other pets or by “hitchhiking” into the home on a human.  

Roundworms are extremely common in cats. Kittens can be infected while nursing their mother. Because roundworms feed off of partially digested food in the intestinal tract, they rob kittens of vital nutrients, resulting in stunted growth for the animal. 
 
Cats may also contract roundworms by ingesting roundworm eggs from their environment, while grooming, or by eating infected animals, such as rodents.¹ After ingestion of an infected animal, roundworm larvae make their way to the small intestines where they mature into adults.
 
Once an infective egg is ingested, roundworm larvae migrate through the walls of the intestines, liver, and lungs. Larvae are then coughed up from the lungs, swallowed, and finally grow into adult roundworms that live in the cat’s intestines. Have your cat examined regularly for roundworms by a veterinarian. This parasite spreads easily, which means infection is very difficult to control.

Hookworms are intestinal parasites that can live in your cat’s small intestine. Cats can become infected with hookworms when they are exposed to infective larvae found in the environment either by ingesting the larvae or through larval penetration of the skin as well as by ingesting infected animals. 
 
True to their name, hookworms attach themselves to the intestinal wall by literally hooking onto the tissue. Hookworms feed on a pet’s blood and eject their eggs into the digestive tract, which allows them to be passed into your cat’s environment via their feces.¹
 
Hookworms can cause blood loss, anemia, weight loss, diarrhea, and death, especially in kittens. Cats should be regularly examined for hookworms by a veterinarian.

Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal condition. It primarily affects the heart and lungs of infected animals. The worms grow and reproduce within blood vessels, leading to severe damage and potentially heart failure if left untreated. 
 
Heartworm disease can be transmitted to cats via infected mosquitoes.² It only takes the bite of one mosquito to lead to an infection. Once infected, cats may present with a variety of signs, including vomiting, respiratory signs, and even sudden death.³ It should be noted that not all cats will show signs of infection. There is no approved therapy to eliminate heartworm disease in cats, so preventing heartworm disease is key. 
 
Fortunately, heartworm disease is preventable with the use of monthly preventive medications including NexGard® COMBO topical solution. This preventive works by killing the immature heartworm larvae or preventing their development into adult worms.

Parasitic worm infections can impact cats of all ages, both indoor and outdoor. They are a common and a serious problem that cat owners need to be aware of. There are a number of steps that you can consider to help protect your cat. Regular veterinary visits are important for the overall health of your cat. During routine healthcare visits, your veterinarian may ask for you to bring in a fecal sample from your cat to check for intestinal parasites. You can also talk to your veterinarian about NexGard® COMBO topical solution.
 
NexGard®  COMBO topical solution is the first and only broad-spectrum parasite protection specifically designed for cats that kills fleas and ticks, prevents heartworm disease, and treats and controls roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms.