Once swallowed, the flea is digested, and the tapeworm larvae is released unharmed where it can then attach to the intestines. When the infected adult flea jumps onto your cat, it can then be consumed during your kitty’s grooming. These eggs then hatch inside the flea larvae’s body and hide there through the larvae’s development into a blood-sucking adult flea. These tiny flea larvae chew into the tapeworm egg case and consume the microscopic ova. This intestinal parasite has earned its “flea tapeworm” moniker because it uses a flea as an intermediate host to get into your pet.Īs seen in the illustration above, the cycle of infection starts when segmented tapeworm egg packets, called proglottids, are consumed by flea larvae (pre-adult fleas) either outside or by existing fleas in the home. But the most common tapeworm found in pet cats is Dipylidium or the “flea tapeworm.” When cats eat these infected prey animals, the parasite then infects the cat. Taenia and Echinococcus tapeworms can infect wild rodents and rabbits, in addition to house pets. There are three types of tapeworms that can infect felines:Īll three typically use other animals, called an intermediate host, to enter the cat. They contain both male and female reproductive organs and use their hook-like mouth parts to anchor to the inside of the intestinal wall. Tapeworms are long, white and flat segmented worms that can live in the small intestines of cats and dogs. To truly understand tapeworms in cats, pet parents first need to understand what tapeworms are and what tricks they have up their (metaphorical) sleeve when it comes to infesting your cat. But what are the signs of tapeworms in cats? How would you know if your cat is suffering? Don’t bug out: We’re here to help! Tapeworms in cats are intestinal parasites that have the potential to make kitties sick.
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