In fact, the most common way for a cat to get tapeworms is by eating infected fleas carrying the larval form of the worm while grooming themselves or other cats. Cats are especially at risk for tapeworms because they are such good groomers.
Can my cat get worms from my other cat?
These eggs can infect other cats in two ways. First, a cat may eat (ingest) eggs directly from a contaminated environment. Second, if another animal eats the eggs (eg, a mouse or rat), these can act as 'intermediate hosts' and pass on the infection to a cat if it preys on (and eats) the infected intermediate host.
How are worms passed between cats?
Both kittens and adult cats may become infected by swallowing eggs that contain infective roundworm larvae. These eggs may come from the feces of infected cats or from the tissues of paratenic hosts (an accidental host). In a paratenic host, the roundworm eggs do not mature into adults, but are just transported.
Can you get worms from your cat if they lick you?
Because cats are not feces eaters (coprophagic), humans are unlikely to become infected by parasites from their cats. Giardia and Cryptosporidia are immediately infective so potentially could be transmitted by a lick.
Can a cat spread worms to other animals?
Unfortunately, yes. If the kitten picked up worms from her environment, then her mother probably has them too, even if she did not spread them to her babies in the first place. Other pets, and even people, can get worms from a kitten by coming into contact with feces or bodily fluids.
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