The direct answer to whether you can contract worms from your cat is yes, certain types of feline parasites are zoonotic, meaning they can be transmitted from animals to humans. While this possibility can be concerning, the risk of transmission is generally low and highly preventable through simple, consistent hygiene and veterinary care. Understanding the specific parasites and their transmission routes allows pet owners to easily manage and minimize any potential health concerns.
Identifying Zoonotic Cat Worms
The most common internal cat parasites that pose a risk to human health are Roundworms, Hookworms, and Tapeworms. Feline roundworms, primarily Toxocara cati, are of particular concern because their microscopic eggs are shed in large numbers and become infectious in the environment. These eggs can survive in soil for extended periods, creating a long-term contamination risk.
Feline hookworms, mainly Ancylostoma braziliense, are also zoonotic. Their larvae are shed in the cat’s feces and can penetrate human skin directly. The flea tapeworm Dipylidium caninum presents a much lower risk of direct transmission from the cat, as infection requires ingesting an infected flea. This is rare but sometimes occurs, particularly with young children.
How Parasite Transmission Occurs
The primary pathway for human infection with roundworms is the fecal-oral route, involving accidentally ingesting the microscopic worm eggs. Cats shed non-infectious eggs in their feces, but these eggs require one to five days in the environment to mature and become infectious. Contaminated soil, sandboxes, or surfaces near the litter box that are touched and then brought to the mouth are the typical sources of exposure.
Once ingested, the roundworm eggs hatch into larvae in the human intestine but cannot complete their life cycle to become adult worms. Instead, the larvae migrate through the body, a condition known as larva migrans. This migration can affect internal organs (Visceral Larva Migrans, or VLM) or the eyes (Ocular Larva Migrans, or OLM).
Hookworm transmission occurs differently, as the infective larvae in contaminated soil or sand can actively burrow through the skin, most commonly the soles of the feet. This causes an itchy, winding rash called Cutaneous Larva Migrans (CLM), where the larvae migrate just beneath the skin surface before eventually dying off. In all cases, humans are considered accidental or dead-end hosts because the parasites cannot mature and reproduce within the human body.
Essential Prevention Strategies
Implementing rigorous hygiene practices is the most effective way to prevent the transmission of feline parasites. Handwashing must be thorough, using soap and warm water immediately after handling the cat, cleaning the litter box, or working in the garden. This is especially important for children, whose play habits often increase their risk of accidental ingestion.
Litter box management is a control point for roundworm eggs, which only become infectious after a few days. The litter box should be scooped daily to remove feces before the eggs have time to mature. The box itself should be cleaned and disinfected weekly.
Environmental control also reduces exposure. Covering outdoor sandboxes prevents neighborhood cats from using them as a latrine, and wearing gloves while gardening prevents direct contact with potentially contaminated soil. Controlling intermediate hosts is necessary for preventing tapeworm infection, which means maintaining a strict, vet-approved flea control regimen for all household pets.
Adhering to a regular veterinary deworming schedule is a primary preventative measure for the cat itself. Even indoor-only cats can be exposed to parasites tracked in on shoes or by consuming intermediate hosts like insects or rodents. Consult with a veterinarian for a broad-spectrum deworming protocol and regular fecal testing to ensure the cat remains parasite-free and minimizes environmental shedding.
Recognizing Human Symptoms and Treatment
Symptoms of parasitic infection in humans are often mild or nonexistent, especially with roundworm and tapeworm exposure. When roundworm larvae migrate through organs, they may cause non-specific flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, or abdominal discomfort. If Ocular Larva Migrans occurs, symptoms are localized to the eye, potentially causing inflammation and vision changes.
Hookworm infection typically presents as a noticeable, intensely itchy, reddish, winding track beneath the skin where the larva has traveled. This condition, CLM, is generally self-limiting but can be uncomfortable. Tapeworm infection is often asymptomatic, though the presence of rice-grain-like segments in the stool or anal itching may occur.
If infection is suspected due to symptoms or known exposure, seek medical advice promptly. Inform the healthcare provider about any recent cat exposure or contact with cat feces. Diagnosis is typically confirmed through blood tests for roundworms or a skin examination for hookworms. Treatment is usually straightforward and effective, involving a short course of prescription anti-parasitic medication to eliminate the migrating larvae or adult worms.