The simple answer is Yes, “you can contract worms from your cat by allowing them to sleep in your bed. Although the likelihood is low, close contact with your cat can result in transmission if parasite eggs are present on their fur or paws.”
Certainly, embracing moments of warmth with your feline companion becomes irresistibly enticing when met with their gentle meows and affectionate stares. Establishing a connection through cuddling is invaluable, and you probably find solace in these shared moments as much as your cat does. However, pondering the potential health implications of allowing your cat onto your beloved blanket is only natural. Surprisingly, it is indeed possible to contract worms from your cat.
Yet, the likelihood diminishes significantly if proactive measures are taken to prevent the presence of worms in your cat. Regular preventative steps protect both your pet’s well-being and your own, ensuring uninterrupted moments of companionship.
Related: How Do Indoor Cats Get Worms?
How Humans Get Worms from Cats
Humans can get worms from cats. But it’s not very common for you to get worms if your cat sleeps with you. The main way you could get worms from cats is by touching their poop directly.
You might get worms from cats by cleaning their litter box or places where they poop, especially if you don’t wash your hands afterward. If a cat with worms somehow gets poop on your bed, you could also get worms that way.
What leads to the presence of worms in cats?
Felines can acquire worms through the ingestion of worm eggs and larvae. Additionally, they might consume prey that is already infected, leading to their infection. Cats, being naturally curious creatures, tend to explore their surroundings thoroughly, particularly when they have outdoor access. This curiosity can inadvertently expose them to various sources of worm infestations.
If a cat traverses areas with fecal contamination and subsequently engages in paw-licking behavior, this simple act can lead to the inadvertent ingestion of worm eggs, potentially resulting in an infection. Furthermore, it’s worth noting that fleas can serve as intermediaries for the transmission of worms to your cat, especially when they consume an infected flea during their grooming routines. Thus, maintaining a year-round regimen for protecting your cat against parasites holds considerable importance to ensure their continual well-being.
What Are the Signs of Worms in a Cat?
During your cat’s routine health examination, your veterinarian may identify intestinal worms through a fecal analysis. Additionally, noticeable signs of worm infestation include the presence of worms or worm fragments in your cat’s feces, resembling either spaghetti-like structures or sesame seeds. If such indicators are observed in your cat’s litter box, prompt treatment is essential. However, it’s crucial to understand that not all types of cat worms are visible to the naked eye in fecal matter.
Furthermore, worm infestations can manifest through various symptoms such as weight loss, soft feces, vomiting, a deteriorating coat condition, perianal itching, and an increase in appetite and thirst. These parasites feed on your cat’s intestines or the nutrients from their food, leading to nutrient deprivation. Consequently, your cat might eat more but still lose weight due to the inadequate absorption of nutrients. In severe cases, a loss of appetite can result in significant weight loss. Monitoring your cat’s health and seeking veterinary care upon noticing any of these symptoms is crucial for their well-being.
How Could My Cat Give Me Worms?
I can contract worms through a process similar to that in cats: by encountering and ingesting worm eggs. Despite the misconception that this occurrence is rare due to the absence of grooming cats with one’s tongue or ingesting their feces, it is, in fact, a possibility. However, it’s essential to note that not all types of intestinal worms pose equal risks to humans.
Roundworms and hookworms stand as the most common varieties that humans can acquire from cats, each with distinct transmission methods. Roundworm eggs can inadvertently come into contact with your face or mouth if, after handling your cat or contaminated bedding, you touch your face. This situation arises if the eggs fall from the cat onto your pillowcase or bedding. Proper handwashing after cleaning the litter box, handling contaminated materials, or petting your cat’s fur and subsequently touching your face is the most effective way to prevent this transmission.
Hookworms, on the other hand, typically enter the human body through the skin upon contact with contaminated material. The minuscule larvae can burrow into the human skin, leading to a condition known as cutaneous larva migrans or “ground itch.”
It’s worth mentioning that tapeworms, a type of intestinal parasite, are not directly transmitted from cats to humans. In this case, ingestion of the vector (flea) is necessary for transmission, and fortunately, such incidents are infrequent. Vigilance and hygiene practices, including regular hand-washing and careful handling of contaminated materials, are paramount in preventing the spread of these parasites from cats to humans.
Can Worms in Cats Cause Symptoms Similar to a Dead Kitten Inside the Mother Cat?
Yes, worms in cats can cause symptoms similar to a dead kitten inside the mother cat. These parasites can lead to health problems like weight loss, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. It’s important to keep an eye on your cat’s health, give them the right deworming treatments, and talk to a vet if you see any worrying signs.
What Kinds of Worms Can Cats Get?
Common pet pests like roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms often find their origins in another troublesome creature—fleas.
In the case of tapeworms, humans can contract them by inadvertently swallowing an infected flea, possibly one that leaped from their feline companion.
During their larval stage, fleas can consume tapeworm eggs. If a cat ingests such an infected flea, perhaps while grooming and accidentally swallowing it, the tapeworm egg hatches within the cat’s intestines. The tapeworm then matures, reproduces asexually, and releases eggs into the cat’s feces, subsequently spreading the parasite to other animals.
It’s essential to note that tapeworms require a secondary host, making them unique among these parasites. Your cat won’t become infected by consuming tapeworm eggs directly; instead, the cat must ingest a flea carrying these eggs.
On the other hand, hookworms and roundworms do not necessitate a secondary host. They can directly infiltrate your cat through ingested eggs, posing distinct challenges in parasite prevention and management.
Here’s a list of common parasites, and how they might infect humans:
| Parasite | Can humans get it? | Heartworms infiltrate cats through mosquito bites. They are not transmissible from cat to cat or cat to human. |
| Tapeworm | Yes | By accidentally eating an infested flea |
| Hookworms | Yes | Through skin contact with infected poop, such as walking on a beach with infected cat poop. Ingestion of hookworm larvae. |
| Roundworms | Yes | Through contact with infected poop, such as children playing in contaminated sandboxes. Ingestion of roundworm eggs. |
| Fleas | Yes | Cats can spread fleas on their fur, and they can hop from your pets to your skin. Fleas can cause itchy bites and even rashes, especially if you’re allergic. |
| Toxoplasma | Yes | Infection by ingesting food or water contaminated by cat poop. |
| Ticks | Yes | Although ticks aren’t as common on cats as dogs, they can transfer to humans if your cat brings one inside on its skin and then it crawls off onto you. |
| Heartworms | No | Heartworms infiltrate cats through mosquito bites. They are not transmissible from cat-to-cat or cat-to-human. |
What Will Happen If I Get Worms from My Cat?
Fortunately, cat hookworms do not pose a threat to human intestines as they do in felines. In humans, a hookworm infection leads to “ground itch,” where larvae burrow through the skin, but the eggs do not hatch or travel to the intestines. Human infections usually occur from contact with contaminated feces, such as when a child plays with cat waste in a sandbox.
On the contrary, roundworms can present a genuine intestinal risk to humans. These parasites can migrate outside the gastrointestinal system, affecting various organs like the eyes and liver. Human infection with roundworms only happens through the ingestion of their eggs, causing syndromes like visceral larval migrans and ocular larval migrans.
Tapeworms, peculiarly, infect humans when accidentally swallowing an infected flea. This can occur through activities like kissing a cat or sharing food and drinks. Children are more susceptible to such infections.
Other pests like fleas, mites, and ticks can spread through your pet or contaminated surfaces like bedding. Maintaining cleanliness by regularly washing bedding and cleaning your home can prevent these pests from becoming significant problems.
While heartworms pose a severe threat to pets, humans cannot contract them from cats as they are transmitted exclusively through mosquitoes. It’s essential to safe your cat by administering monthly preventatives and protecting your surroundings from mosquitoes by using bug repellents or planting natural mosquito-repellent herbs like Citronella.
Ways to Prevent Worms in You and Your Cat
Preventing your cat against fleas serves as the primary defense against worm infections in humans. Employing a proactive approach is essential, and you can achieve this by adhering to these three crucial steps:
- Guard your glass. Don’t eat or drink after your cat.
- Vacuum at least once a week, but more if there are any known fleas
- Don’t allow children to play in areas with potential feline poop (such as uncovered sandboxes)
- Wash all bedding on a hot cycle every week (especially if your cat sleeps with you)
- Wash your pet’s bedding and any pillows or blankets they like to claim as their own
- Regularly deworm your cat, at least 2-4 times a year but not more than once a month
- Control the flea population with flea prevention and flea collars
In the event of your cat developing a worm infestation, it is essential to take precautionary measures to protect yourself. Ensure to wear protective gloves and rigorously wash your hands after cleaning your cat’s litter box.
The significance of this practice amplifies when your cat is afflicted with worms. Certain types of worms, such as roundworms and hookworms, pose a significant risk to humans through contact with contaminated cat feces.
Therefore, it is imperative to maintain strict hygiene protocols, refraining from allowing your cat onto your bed until the issue has been effectively resolved.
Furthermore, consistently washing your hands after cleaning your cat’s litter box is paramount. This practice becomes even more critical if your cat is diagnosed with a worm infection.
Roundworms and hookworms, prevalent culprits, are primarily transmitted to humans via exposure to infected cat feces. In areas where cat contamination is a concern, such as spaces potentially soiled by cats, wearing enclosed shoes is advised.
Additionally, when tending to your garden, especially in areas frequented by felines, it is advisable to wear protective gardening gloves, further reducing the risk of potential exposure to these parasites.
Final Thoughts
Annually, a considerable number of individuals fall victim to zoonotic parasites, infections originating from animals. Any close interaction with your cat presents the potential for infection.
While it is true that your cat can transmit parasites to you, the risk remains minimal if you adhere to stringent hygienic practices and ensure your cat remains flea-free.
Maintaining safe hygiene habits and preventing your cat from flea infestations are key measures to mitigate this risk.
Fleas, ticks, and other pests pose significant health threats to both you and your pet. Therefore, it is imperative to remain vigilant in your efforts to combat these parasites, ensuring your cat’s well-being and fostering the opportunity for countless future moments of affection and companionship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sleeping in the Same Bed Safe?
While the risk exists, it can be minimized with proper preventive measures. Regular veterinary check-ups, deworming, and maintaining cleanliness in the sleeping area are crucial.
Can I get worms from my cat if it’s not an outdoor cat?
Outdoor cats may have a higher risk, but indoor cats can still carry certain types of worms.
How often should I deworm my cat?
The frequency depends on factors such as your cat’s lifestyle and health; consult your vet for personalized advice.
Are there any natural remedies for preventing worm infestation?
While some natural remedies may help, consulting with a veterinarian is crucial for an effective preventive plan.
What should I do if I suspect my cat has worms?
Contact your veterinarian promptly for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Can children get worms from the family cat?
Children are more susceptible, so it’s crucial to educate them on proper hygiene and supervise interactions with the cat.
What Are the Early Signs of Worm Infestation in Cats?
Look out for symptoms such as changes in appetite, lethargy, and visible signs in the feces. Consult your vet promptly if you observe any unusual behavior.
