In contrast to puppies, kittens are not born already infected with worms, but they can contract them from their mother's milk. Because of this risk, deworming treatment for a kitten typically begins from a young age.
Can mother cats pass worms to kittens?
Roundworms are extremely common in kittens, and as kittens can be infected from the mother's milk it should be assumed that all kittens are infected and worming should be started at a young age.
Can kittens get worms from other kittens?
Cats can even become infected inside the house, if another pet or person has accidentally brought the roundworm eggs inside. Additionally, hookworms can penetrate a cat's skin if your pet happens to walk or lie down in a contaminated area.
Can roundworms live in cat litter?
Clean your cat's litter box at least once per day, and wash your hands after handling the box. If your cat ever does get roundworms, frequent litter box cleaning can remove roundworm eggs before they develop and become infective.
How are kittens infested with roundworms immediately after birth?
The immature roundworms called larvae are present in the mother's mammary glands. The larvae pass to her kittens in her milk during nursing. Both kittens and adult cats may become infected by swallowing eggs that contain infective roundworm larvae.
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