Fleas are the intermediate host for tapeworm. In other words, the tapeworm is unable to complete its life cycle without the presence of fleas in the environment. Regardless of whether the owner has seen fleas on the cat, or in the home, the cat must have ingested a flea in order to have tapeworms.
How did my cat get tapeworms if he doesn't have fleas?
Tiny flea larvae can be infected with tapeworms. If your cat digests an infected flea while grooming herself, that flea can transmit a tiny tapeworm into your cat and grow into a full-sized adult worm. Cats can also get tapeworms by eating small animals like squirrels and mice.
How do dogs get tapeworms if they don't have fleas?
Hunting Behavior. Dogs aren't the only ones eating parasite eggs. If your dog likes to hunt or scavenge, they could catch worms from other infected animals like rodents, rabbits, birds and even insects like roaches and earthworms that have eaten worm eggs.
Do tapeworms come from fleas?
A dog or cat may swallow a flea while self-grooming. Once the flea is digested by the dog or cat, the larval tapeworm is able to develop into an adult tapeworm. The adult tapeworm is made up of many small segments, called proglottids, each about the size of a grain of rice.
How do you tell if I have tapeworms?
Symptoms1Nausea.2Weakness.3Loss of appetite.4Abdominal pain.5Diarrhea.6Dizziness.7Salt craving.8Weight loss and inadequate absorption of nutrients from food.Tapeworm infection - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
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