Tapeworms are another type of worm. Tapeworms are among the best adapted of parasites, meaning that they harm their host the least. Some animals may develop diarrhea, weight loss, or vomiting. However, most cats do not have any clinical signs associated with tapeworm infestation. The most common tapeworms are Diplidium caninum, which is a segmented tapeworm that lives in the cats small intestine. Each segment of the worm contains maturing eggs. These segments, when passed from the cat, resemble grains of rice that you may notice around the cat’s anus, on the cat’s coat, or on her bedding. These segments can cause anal irritation and excessive licking of this area.

Tapeworms are spread by the ingestion of fleas. The flea larvae swallows the eggs from the tapeworm segment. These eggs mature as the flea matures, making the adult flea infectious to the cat. When the cat ingests the flea, the tapeworm larvae are released into the small intestine and so the cycle goes on again. Treatment should include a flea treatment to help prevent reinfestation. The symptoms of this type of tapeworm infection can be, in severe cases, abdominal pain and an increase in food intake. Tapeworms can infect humans so cats should be wormed regularly and a flea control program carried out.

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