Worms in Cat Poop: Types, Causes, and Treatment

Name: Worms in Cat Poop: Types, Causes, and Treatment
Creator: Dr. Zubair Khalid

By Dr. Zubair Khalid, DVM, MS, PhD · 2026-10-02

Cat poop with worms usually means your cat has an intestinal parasite, most often roundworms or tapeworms. The type you see matters, because treatment differs and some worms can infect people. This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment.

Quick Answer

White, spaghetti-like worms in poop or vomit are usually roundworms, and they are common in kittens [1][2].
Small, flat, rice-like segments that move near the tail or in fresh stool are tapeworm segments [1].
Some worms spread to people, so wear gloves, wash your hands, and clean the litter box daily [3].
Do not use over-the-counter dewormers without veterinary guidance, because the wrong drug will not kill the worm you are seeing.
Bring a fresh stool sample to your vet, since fecal testing confirms the diagnosis and guides treatment [1][3].

What Cat Poop With Worms Looks Like and What Is Normal

Normal cat stool is firm, brown, and log shaped. It should not contain visible worms, mucus, or blood. A healthy cat also has a normal appetite, steady weight, and a shiny coat.

When parasites are present, you may see one of a few things. Roundworms look like thin white strands, similar to cooked spaghetti, and they can appear in stool or vomit [1]. Tapeworm segments look like small white grains of rice or sesame seeds, and they may be moving when fresh [1]. Hookworms are tiny and rarely seen with the naked eye.

Some cats with worms show no signs at all. Others have diarrhea, a dull coat, poor growth, or a swollen, potbellied look, especially kittens [1]. Vomiting shortly after a meal can also point to stomach inflammation from parasites [1].

Main Causes of Worms in Cat Poop

Several parasites can show up in cat feces. The table below covers the most common ones and how urgent each tends to be.

Cause	Typical clues	How urgent
Roundworms (Toxocara cati)	White spaghetti-like worms in stool or vomit, potbelly, poor growth in kittens [1][2]	See your vet soon, urgent in kittens
Tapeworms (Dipylidium caninum, Taenia taeniaeformis)	Rice-like segments in stool or near the tail, often no other signs [1]	Routine visit, treat promptly
Hookworms (Ancylostoma spp.)	Diarrhea, weight loss, pale gums from anemia [2]	See your vet soon, urgent if pale or weak
Coccidia (Cystoisospora spp.)	Soft to watery diarrhea, common in young cats [4]	See your vet soon
Giardia spp.	Diarrhea, sometimes intermittent [4]	See your vet soon
Amebiasis (Entamoeba histolytica)	Persistent diarrhea, sometimes bloody, weight loss [5]	See your vet soon

Roundworms

Roundworms are the worms owners most often spot. In one study of cats with no deworming history, Toxocara cati was found in 7 percent of cats, and kittens under 6 months had the highest infection rate at 36 percent [2]. Kittens can get roundworms from their mother, which is why deworming often starts at 3 to 4 weeks of age and repeats every 2 weeks until 3 months, then monthly until 6 months [1]. Your veterinarian will choose the right medication and schedule for your cat [1].

Tapeworms

Tapeworms are the flat, segmented worms. Dipylidium caninum is spread by fleas, so a cat with tapeworms usually has fleas too. In a study of cats that died from various causes, Dipylidium was the most common worm found, present in about 46 percent of the parasitized cats [6]. Tapeworm infections often cause no signs at all, and owners usually notice the segments instead of a sick cat [1]. If you see tapeworms, treating fleas is part of the plan. You can read more about flea and skin issues in Ringworm In Cats, though ringworm is a fungus, not a worm.

Hookworms and Other Parasites

Hookworms attach to the intestinal lining and feed on blood, which can cause anemia, diarrhea, and weight loss [2]. Coccidia and Giardia are single-celled parasites that often cause diarrhea, especially in young cats [4]. Amebiasis is rare in cats and usually clears on its own, though sick cats can be treated if needed [5]. Chronic diarrhea has many causes beyond worms, so a vet visit helps sort out what is actually going on [7].

Red Flags That Make It an Emergency

Most worm infections are not emergencies, but some signs mean you should act right away.

Pale, white, or blue gums, which can signal anemia from hookworms [6][2].
Weakness, collapse, or trouble breathing.
Repeated vomiting or vomiting worms along with refusing food.
Bloody diarrhea or diarrhea lasting more than a day in a kitten.
A kitten that is not growing, is very thin, or has a swollen belly [1].

If you see any of these, call your veterinarian or an emergency clinic now. Do not wait for a routine appointment.

Safe Things You Can Do at Home While Waiting

You cannot safely deworm a cat on your own without knowing which worm is present. What you can do is protect your household and keep your cat comfortable.

Wear gloves when cleaning the litter box, then wash your hands with soap and water [3].
Scoop the box daily, since some parasites become infectious in stool over time [3].
Keep young children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems away from litter box duty [3].
Collect a fresh stool sample in a clean bag or container and bring it to your vet [1].
Wash your hands after handling your cat, and keep the cat away from food preparation areas.
Do not give human deworming pills or leftover pet medications. The dose depends on your cat's weight and health, and your veterinarian calculates it.

If your cat has diarrhea along with the worms, see Cat Diarrhea with Worms: Causes and Treatment Options for more on managing that combination.

What Your Veterinarian Will Check and Test

Your vet will start with a physical exam, checking your cat's weight, body condition, gums, and belly. They will ask about deworming history, flea control, indoor or outdoor access, and whether other pets or people in the home have signs.

The main test is a fecal exam. Your vet looks at a stool sample under a microscope to find eggs or parasite forms [1]. Roundworm infections are diagnosed by microscopic detection of eggs in feces [1]. Depending on the findings, your vet may also run a fecal flotation or other concentration test to look for coccidia and Giardia [4].

Treatment depends on the worm. Several drugs are effective for roundworms in cats, and some heartworm preventives also control roundworms [1]. Tapeworms need a different drug, and flea control is essential to stop reinfection. Your veterinarian will prescribe the most appropriate medication for your cat and set a follow-up schedule [1]. For more detail on options, see Roundworm Treatment for Cats: Safe Dewormers and Prevention and Treatment For Tapeworm In Cats.

Prevention and Monitoring

Prevention is simpler than treatment. Have your cat's stool tested at least once a year, and more often if you have kittens or an outdoor cat [3]. Follow your veterinarian's parasite prevention plan, which may include a monthly product that also controls roundworms [1].

Keep fleas under control, since fleas carry tapeworms. Clean the litter box daily and wash your hands afterward [3]. If you have a kitten, expect a deworming schedule that starts young and continues through the first several months [1].

Watch for the signs that first tipped you off: worms in stool, rice-like segments, diarrhea, or a potbelly. If they come back after treatment, tell your vet. Reinfection is common when fleas or contaminated soil are still in the picture.

Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian

This article cannot tell you which worm your cat has. Only a veterinarian can examine your cat, test the stool, and prescribe the right treatment. Individual cases need a veterinarian.

Contact your veterinarian the same day if you see worms plus diarrhea, vomiting, or a kitten that is not eating. Go to an emergency clinic now if your cat has pale gums, collapse, trouble breathing, or bloody diarrhea. Schedule a routine visit if you see worms but your cat is eating, playing, and acting normal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get worms from my cat?

Yes, some cat worms can infect people. Roundworm larvae can cause visceral and ocular larva migrans in humans, and hookworms also pose a zoonotic risk [2]. Pregnant women, young children, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk, so they should avoid litter box duty [3].

Do I need to treat my cat if I only see one worm?

Yes, seeing even one worm means your cat is infected and needs treatment. Tapeworm segments and roundworms can appear intermittently, so a single sighting is still a positive sign [1]. Your vet will confirm the type with a fecal test and prescribe the correct dewormer.

How did my indoor cat get worms?

Indoor cats can get worms from fleas, from contaminated soil on shoes, or from their mother before birth or through nursing [3]. Tapeworms specifically come from swallowing infected fleas [1]. Even cats that never go outside can pick up parasites.

Will the worms go away on their own?

Most intestinal worms in cats do not clear without treatment. Roundworms and tapeworms need specific medication, and untreated infections can cause poor growth, weight loss, and anemia [1][2]. Amebiasis is an exception, since cats often eliminate it on their own [5].

How soon after treatment will I stop seeing worms?

You may see dead worms in the stool for a day or two after deworming, which is normal. If worms are still visible a week later, or if signs like diarrhea continue, call your vet. A follow-up fecal test confirms the infection is gone [1].

References

Gastrointestinal Parasites of Cats - Cat Owners. Merck Veterinary Manual.
Prevalence, risk factors, and zoonotic potential of gastrointestinal helminths in cats: A participatory epidemiological study. Journal of helminthology, 2026.
Parasites in Cats - Cat Owners. Merck Veterinary Manual.
Occurrence of Cystoisospora spp. and other intestinal parasites in dogs and cats with diarrhea. Veterinary parasitology, 2025.
Disorders Caused by Protozoa of the Digestive System in Cats - Cat Owners. Merck Veterinary Manual.
Gastrointestinal helminthiases associated with cause of death in dogs and cats from southern Brazil. Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports, 2026.
Feline chronic diarrhea: causes and nutritional management. Veterinary and animal science, 2026.