Tapeworms in Cats

Tapeworms are carried by fleas and are of the most common worms found in cats. Cats are infected with tapeworms by swallowing a flea during grooming. Kittens can also be born with tapeworms. Once one cat is infected and the tapeworms multiply, all the cats in the household can become infected. Tapeworms can cause a variety of symptoms in young cats, from diarrhea to lack of energy. In older cats, the symptoms can be more difficult to spot. If your cat has fleas, you should have your doctor test for tapeworms, and you should eliminate the fleas. Most pet health plans offer treatment for tapeworms in cats as part of their preventative treatment coverage. The medication to treat and eliminate tapeworms is very expensive and it may not be covered by some basic pet health plans. If you're unsure, check with your pet health plan to see if worming treatments are covered for your cat.