Why do some cats get worms?

Question

My cat is 9 years old and I've had her since she was about 6 or 7 weeks old. I read many questions about cats having worms, mine has never had that problem, she is strickly an in-door cat, what causes for cats to get worms? is it their food? or what? can some one tell me how cats get worms. Thanks.

Answer 1

Worms are parastic bugs. There are many different species types and species. They can be transferred in many different ways - tapeworms can be transmitted by fleas, others can be transmitted by contact with faeces, or just with the environment - many worm species live in soil. If you're feeding a proper cat food this will have been cooked and/or sterilised and will not have worm eggs in it!

It's true that a cat that never goes outside is far less likely to catch worms - the most common method of transmission for a cat is by eating mice that have worms.

It is a common misconception that indoor cats do not get fleas - they often can, fleas just hop in through your front door or windows, especially if they know there's a cat in their to feast on!! Since tapeworms are transmitted by fleas, you should keep your cat regularly defleaed to avoid this. You can also buy Revolution from your vet which treats flea, tapeworms and ear mites.

Kittens can also catch worms from their mothers - either my contact with them or by suckling, worms can be transmitted through breast milk, which is why kittens should be wormed if the mother wasn't.

And that is the truth about worms in cats!

Chalice

Answer 2

My cat had worms when I first adopted her. Someone left her and her sister in a cardboard box outside with no food and no water. I hate it when people are cruel like that. I took my kitty and my neighbor adopted the other. My apt complex only allows one pet per unit otherwise I would have taken both. Anyway she was about a month old and she had round worm and fleas. The vet said she most likely got it from her mom. Her mom probably get the worms from being out on the streets. Outdoor cats especially feral cats are susceptible to all kinds of dieseases and parasites. Both the fleas and the round worm were very easy to get rid of. She is now one year old and healthy. I hope this answers you question.

Answer 3

Lots of kittens start out with them, but a lot of indoor cats avoid them . Tapeworms come from two main sources- An infected flea that they lick and ingest, and eating birds, rabbits, mice, etc outside. If the cat doesn't eat wild prey, then they got the worms from a flea. We used to have an outdorr tomcat that got them alot from eating things. Then I had a young male cat who had them when I first got him, probably from fleas. He is an indoor cat. Then I have a 6 year old indoor female cat who has never had them and I've had her since she was six weeks old. It just depends on the cat. So if your cat has never had them, then that is very good. If and when your cat ever gets them, its an easy fix - one pill from the vet, but if yours is a strictly indoor cat and hasn't ever had them, chances are good she never will.

Answer 4

When I had my cats de-clawed, I think they caught worms from the vet's office from another cat.

My cats are indoor cats too, and I can't think of any other reason as to why they would have got worms, except for that one time that they were at the vet and were around other animals.

Cheers

Answer 5

I'm not sure how they get worms.I'm pretty sure it's not in the food.The only way to prevent worms is a trip to the vet and he will perscribe a treatment to prevent them.It would be a good idea to still see the vet to get rid of them.I lost a cat from them.

Answer 6

worms are usually caught from ingesting (eating) worm eggs.
worm eggs are found on the ground, on other animals, even on you if you have been outside in the garden or in contact with other animals.

it is HIGHLY unlikely your cat has never had worms... its almost impossible.
your cat probably does have worms, its just not a bad infestation hence you have never noticed them.
if you DO notice them in its poop or around its butt, then it is a major infestation - it should NEVER be allowed to get that bad.
.

Answer 7

It's their environment and what they eat or poop in. If the dig in the soil they will end up with Fungus, like ringworm and some parasites too. Indoor cats fed balanced diets rarely get worms.

Answer 8

They eat grass

Answer 9

I think it is because of the food.

Answer 10

there moms and what they eat. garbage. mice. nasty stuff