Causes of worm infection

Hunting cats – and why they can catch more than they bargained for!

Cats are hunters by instinct. Mice, voles, shrews and birds are all tempting targets – and all of them can be infected with worm larvae.

The Mouse Tapeworm, for instance, uses rodents as its intermediate hosts. A mouse swallows tapeworm eggs causing larvae-filled cysts to develop in the liver. When eaten by a cat, the larva develops into an adult worm, reaching 500mm or more in length before beginning to shed egg-filled segments into the cat’s environment, thus starting the cycle again.

In a similar way, mice, birds and even slugs and snails can be infected with roundworm larvae. (Both common types of cat roundworm use this strategy, among others.)

Unfortunately, it is very difficult to prevent worm infection and that is why it is so important to worm your cat every 3 months. If they have been infected, the problem is dealt with before your cat’s health is threatened.