Intestinal parasites are a common problem in cats. Your cat can contract worms at various stages of their lives, starting in utero from the mother, then through the environment via fecal contamination or hunting. Intestinal worms can have significant effects on your pet’s health and can also be transmitted to humans. Humans are infected by accidental ingestion of eggs that have been passed into the environment through their pet’s feces. For this reason, hand washing after handling your pet or their feces is an important barrier to infection.
Deworming your pet on a schedule appropriate to its lifestyle will minimize the risk to yourself and your cat. A deworming schedule can be discussed with your veterinarian and will depend on multiple factors such as your pets’ access to the outdoors and prey, as well as the presence of children or immunocompromised individuals in the household.
