Tapeworms in Cats
Written By hannah hollinger
Published: 11/02/2016Updated: 06/15/2021
Veterinary reviewed by Dr. Linda Simon, MVB MRCVS
Tapeworms in Cats - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost
What are Tapeworms?
There are various types of tapeworms that can infect cats. The most common is called Dipylidium caninum and is associated with fleas. The second most commonly seen tapeworm is called Taenia taeniaeformis and is linked to small mammals, birds and reptiles. Tapeworms can live up to two years if untreated, but often do not cause great harm to their host. These worms can grow up to 20 inches long, however, they are usually smaller. Tapeworm infestations are fairly common in cats, and veterinary treatment is very effective at eradicating them. 
Tapeworms are a type of intestinal parasite called a cestode. They take the shape of long, flat worms that resemble off-white ribbons. To infect a cat, they must be ingested. Tapeworms are unable to digest food, so to gain nutrients they attach themselves to the intestinal walls of other animals and absorb digested food through holes in their skin. The worms are made up of segments called proglottids that can break off and release eggs. These segments exit a cat with its feces and may be visible as small, rice-like worms.
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Average Cost
$250
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Symptoms of Tapeworms in Cats
More often than not, an infected cat will not exhibit any notable symptoms other than the visible worm segments in its bowel movements. In extreme cases of infestation involving multiple worms, other symptoms may be seen. These include:
  • Weight loss
  • Diarrhea
  • Increased appetite
  • Irritability
  • Depression
  • Dull coat
  • Anemia
  • Weakness
  • Dragging, licking or biting at anus due to itchiness
  • Worm or worms in vomit (rare)
Causes of Tapeworms in Cats
Tapeworms generally need to be ingested by at least two different insects or animals to complete their life cycle. The first is referred to as an intermediate host, and is the primary source of infection to other animals. Different types of tapeworms have different intermediate hosts.
Dipylidium caninum
These worms use fleas to progress to their next stage of life. An infected flea may bite a cat to feed, leaving tapeworm eggs in the bite wound. Once a cat licks or bites at the wound due to itch or as a part of general grooming, the tapeworm eggs may be ingested. As the eggs reach the intestines they hatch and attach to the walls using hook-shaped appendages.
Taenia taeniaeformis
The intermediate hosts of these tapeworms can be many small animals including mice, birds and rodents. As these are common prey of outdoor house cats, tapeworms may easily be spread to cats from these animals. The tapeworms create egg filled cysts on the intermediate host’s liver, which, once ingested, hatch inside the cat. 
Diagnosis of Tapeworms in Cats
Often, tapeworms are found by the owner of the cat while cleaning out the litter box. Once a cat has been brought in to a veterinary clinic, the vet will complete a physical examination including a close look at the cat’s anus, as proglottids are sometimes seen near the opening. If a cat is diagnosed with fleas, it is wise to assume that Dipylidium caninum tapeworms are also present.
Various fecal examinations will be needed to confirm the type of worms that have infested the cat. Examination of the eggs alone is often not accurate, as many worm eggs resemble each other. Approximately one teaspoon of fresh fecal material may need to be collected from your cat to perform a fecal flotation test. The excrement is then mixed with a substance that is heavier than the worms. After 20 minutes, all worm eggs will float to the surface of the mixture and can then be collected for microscopic analysis and identification. 
Treatment of Tapeworms in Cats
Treatment to rid your cat of tapeworms is readily available and very effective. Always consult your veterinarian before choosing a treatment, and seek prescription medications over pet store options. 
Deworming Medication 
Many medications have been manufactured for the purpose of ridding cats of tapeworms. These treatments come in the form of injections, tablets and skin drops. Certain medications may have side effects of vomiting and diarrhea. Commonly prescribed deworming medications include praziquantel.
Flea Medication 
If your cat has been confirmed as carrying Dipylidium caninum tapeworms, it may be necessary to also start a regular flea medication to eliminate the possibility of reinfection. Flea medications are often administered on a once a month basis. 
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Recovery of Tapeworms in Cats
Eradication of tapeworms with deworming medication is very successful. Many owners choose to deworm their cat on a regular basis as a precautionary action. It may be necessary to keep your cat indoors to prevent it from hunting small animals that carry tapeworms. While cat to human transmission of tapeworms is rare, it can happen, especially with children. Teach any children in the home proper hygiene habits when handling the cat. 
If the cat is recovering from a flea infestation also, extra precautions may be necessary. Wash all of the cat’s toys and bedding in hot water and hoover daily. Clean the litter box daily and safely dispose of all feces. Disinfect the litter box on a regular basis. In extreme cases, the home or yard may need to be treated for fleas to prevent reinfection. With proper care, tapeworms can be permanently removed from your cat.
Tapeworms Average Cost
From 302 quotes ranging from $200 - $500
Average Cost
$250
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Tapeworms Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
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cat
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dog-age-icon
Thirteen Years
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35 found this helpful

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35 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Weight Loss
Hi, I have a female cat that's possibly a maine coons that has been losing a lot of weight recently. I would guess that she weighs less than 4 pounds and you can feel ever bone in her body. Her appetite has increased a lot. She usually eats dry food but I have been giving her wet food to see if that will help with her weight. She acts like she's starving. She is an outside cat but stays in the garage and has a heated cat bed. You can also hear sounds from her stomach constantly like it's her food digesting. She is still completely active. Could this be a tapeworm? She's on the left in the pic.
Jan. 27, 2021
Answered by Dr. Linda S. MVB MRCVS
35 Recommendations
I'm sorry to hear this. While parasites are possible we need to rule out anything more serious given her symptoms. We can see dramatic weight loss despite a good appetite with e.g. an overactive thyroid, cancer or diabetes. While we should ensure she is up to date with a good quality wormer such as Panacur, I would also have her seen by a vet who will likely run some tests such as blood tests so we can get a definitive answer and start any needed treatment.
Jan. 27, 2021
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tabby
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dog-age-icon
7 weeks
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19 found this helpful

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19 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Worms In Stool
I dewormed 6 week old kittens that were left outside almost 2 weeks ago. the vet gave me a second dose of dewormer to give them in 3 weeks and a vet app right after. the littlest one is now having mild diarrhea with long dead worms in the stool. they all make it to the litterbox. is this an emergency enough to take them back to the vet? or should I give them the additional dewormer early
Sept. 24, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
19 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this venue is not set up for urgent emails. The worms will come out as they are dying. It would be best to follow your veterinarian's instructions with the dewormer. If they are still having problems, It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get any testing or treatment taken care of that might be needed.
Oct. 23, 2020
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Calico
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Cali
dog-age-icon
14 Weeks
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0 found this helpful

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0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Diarrhea
I have a 14 week old kitten who was having diarrhea and noticed that she had tapeworms so we gave her medicine and are no longer seeing them but she is still having diarrhea really bad. I am unable to take her to the vet, what can I try to help her? She is eating and drinking, and acting normal except the diarrhea.
Sept. 23, 2018
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Mix
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Peaches,Precious,Prissy,Chipper,Tom,Zoey,Xena,Piper,Wolfy,& Lola
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8 Years
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0 found this helpful

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0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Tapeworms
I have 10 cats 3 are adult cats and 7 younger ones I’ve noticed they have tapeworms and I wormed 3 of the younger ones about a month ago I got the pills from the vet at the time those were the only 3 I seen had it now I’ve noticed everybody has it, so I went and bought OTC medicine it’s the Bayer brand that comes with 3 pills in a bottle I was just wondering if they do the job bc it’s cheaper for me to get it that away especially if I’m gonna have to do a second round bc one of my cats is gonna have to take 2 pills bc he weighs 20 pounds, the Bayer brand had good reviews I haven’t given my cats it yet bc I’m waiting on my pill popper to come in the mail so it will be easier to give it to everybody.
Sept. 12, 2018
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Cat
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Marshmallow
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6 Years
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15 found this helpful

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15 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Sleepy
Rice Like Pellets
My cat sleeps with me at night and on top of another comforter during the day. We have found lots of small rice like pellets where he sleeps when he gets up. They don’t move and don’t seem to be alive but I’m told they may be part of a tapeworm casing? My kitty marshmallow doesn’t have any other symptoms and I haven’t seen anything in his poop. The only weird thing I can say is that he does seem to have a ‘twitch’ when he is tired. Help?!
Sept. 11, 2018
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Cat
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Feral
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9 Months
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0 found this helpful

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0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Weight Loss
Weakness
Not Eating Much
Falling Over
Feral cat at hunt camp has lost alot of weight and does not want to eat much. Showing signs of weakness. Starving!! Cant catch her to take to vet. If I give her worm med will it kill her? I need help now to save her. I have Bayer tapeworm med. She maybe 2 lbs
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Long haired grey and white Tabby's
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Bear
dog-age-icon
14 Years
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0 found this helpful

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0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Licking At Genitals
I've been having what looks like poppy seeds on my bed where my cat lays he got treated for fleas by the vet. My roommate has 5 of her own and is cat sitting 2 more. My vet said they all might have worms due to fleas so I got clear max dewormer max for dogs, puppies, cats & kittens. Helps with parasites, helminths & worms from chewy or amazon I don't remember which one. My cat is the only one that has been treated and before I started the treatment I didn't have the issue of the poppy seed looking stuff. I didn't see any live worms in he fecal waist before treatment or after, didn't see any on his anal area either. I did notice since I started treatment he has been chewing and cleaning that area more. With the stuff on my bed none of it moves it's dried up and I was wondering if these seed looking things are dead worms and if so should I be worked about it since I do find them on the bed in the morning and at night when I go to bed. I do use a lint roller to clean them up when I get up and again when I got to bed it is worse at bed time if he stays in my room on my bed all day. I'm kinda worried about at night time since he does sleep on the bed up by my face area on the other side of my body pillow can you get anything from them I'm not sure how long they might still be alive or if they are dead and just falling off of him when he comes to bed after using the litter box. There was and hasn't been any visible worms on him or in his waist since or before treatment.
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domestic short hair
dog-name-icon
Spanky
dog-age-icon
2 Years
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0 found this helpful

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0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Pooping White Worms
This morning my male cat that is 2 and half years old pooped and there were white worms moving around in it. He hasnt had that happen before. I am assuming they are tapeworms and have ordered the Bayer meds for tapeworms. He is an indoor cat only with no other animals around. We have had him since he was 6 weeks old. Is there anything I can do to help him till Monday? Im disabled and not able to go pickup meds.
Tapeworms Average Cost
From 302 quotes ranging from $200 - $500
Average Cost
$250
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