Cats of all ages can be infested with worms. There are two common types of worms in cats and the symptoms are usually detectable in the cat's faeces. Worm infections must be treated, but first you need to find out what type of worm it is so that you can buy the right medication. 

Tapeworms

Tapeworms are long, flat worms that consist of many segments. In a worm-infected cat, white, worm-like parts can be seen in the cat's anus. These are living segments that have broken off from the adult tapeworm. Dead worm segments are excreted in the faeces and look something like grains of rice. These are clearly recognisable in cat faeces. There are two types of tapeworm in cats. Dipylidium caninum infects cats when they swallow a worm-infected flea. Taenia Taeniaformia infects cats when they eat a worm-infested rodent. 

The best way to prevent Dipylidium caninum is to keep the cat free of fleas. It is best to brush the cat regularly to check for fleas. Frequent treatments with anti-flea products or wearing a flea collar will prevent flea infestation. Humans are not usually infested by fleas from worms, as they too would have to swallow the infected flea. 

Prevention of Taenia taeniaformia infestation is a little more difficult if you have a cat that spends time outside. However, the treatment of tapeworms is quite simple. Usually the cat needs no more than an oral medicine or injection to kill all the worm segments in the body. 

Roundworms

Roundworms are about 5 to 10cm long, thin and taper towards one end. Cats excrete the worms whole in their faeces or vomit. As with tapeworms, there are two types of roundworms that can infect cats in two different ways. Toxaris Leonina is transmitted through the faeces of other cats or rodents. Toxocara cati is transmitted from the mother to the kitten through the milk. Kittens are therefore particularly frequently infected with worms. The symptoms of roundworm infestation are a fat belly, vomiting, diarrhoea and apathy. 

Roundworms can be transmitted to humans through faeces or soil contaminated with faeces. If you frequently work in the garden and there are cats in the neighbourhood, you should wear gloves when gardening. A mild worm infection with roundworms in humans often shows no symptoms. More severe infections can be accompanied by fever, irritability, abdominal pain, itchy ulcers, coughing, shortness of breath and even visual disturbances. 

The treatment of roundworm infections in humans and cats is also quite simple. Usually only one tablet is required. Many vets recommend deworming cats regularly every few weeks with tablets, even if no traces of worms are found in the faeces. 

How to administer worming tablets to cats

The cat will certainly not swallow a tablet voluntarily, but will resist it. If you go to the vet anyway, it is best to ask him to show you a good method for giving the tablets. Otherwise, here are some tips on how to get your cat to swallow the tablets. 

- Grasp the cat's neck fur with one hand and hold it firmly. Holding the neck fold immobilises the cat. With the other hand, bend the head backwards and open the lower jaw with thumb and forefinger. Place the tablet far back in the cat's mouth. 

- Return the head to the normal position, but still hold it firmly. Stroke the cat's larynx until the tablet is swallowed.

- Use a spray bottle to spray a little water down the cat's throat to make it easier for the cat to swallow.

- You can try to put the tablet in the cat's favourite food, but the cat is usually smart enough to eat around it or simply spit it out again.

- After the cat has been given the tablet, it should be stroked and caressed a lot if it wants to be.

- The process should be as quick as possible to give the cat little opportunity to fight back and spare it a long period of trauma.