Roundworms in Cats: What They Are and How to Get Rid of Them

If you just spotted something that looks like a small piece of spaghetti in your cat’s poop or vomit, take a breath. Roundworms are one of the most common parasites in cats, especially in kittens, and they’re very treatable. Here’s everything you need to know, including how to protect the rest of your household too.

What are roundworms in cats?

Roundworms (Toxocara cati) are intestinal parasites that live in your cat’s small intestine and can grow up to several inches long. They look exactly like you’d expect: pale, smooth, spaghetti-like worms you might spot in your cat’s poop or vomit. They’re not a sign that you’ve done anything wrong. They’re just incredibly common, and kittens are especially vulnerable.

A question that comes up often: what’s the difference between roundworms and tapeworms? Roundworms look like whole, smooth noodles. Tapeworms shed flat, rice-sized segments you’d spot near your cat’s rear end or in their bedding. Different parasites, different treatments, so it’s worth knowing which one you’re dealing with before calling your vet.

What causes roundworms in cats?

There are a few main routes of infection:

• Mother’s milk: A nursing queen (mother cat) can pass roundworm larvae directly to her kittens through her milk. This is why roundworms are so prevalent in young kittens, even ones that have never been outside.
• Ingesting eggs: Roundworm eggs live in soil and can survive for months. Cats can pick them up by grooming their paws after walking through contaminated areas.
• Eating infected rodents: Cats that hunt mice or other small animals can ingest larvae carried inside their prey. Indoor cats aren’t off the hook if they catch the occasional mouse.

Signs of roundworms in cats: what to look for

Some cats with roundworms show no obvious symptoms at all. But when signs do show up, here’s what you might notice:

• Visible worms: Spaghetti-like worms in your cat’s poop or vomit is often the first thing owners notice.
• Pot-belly: A rounded, distended abdomen is a classic sign in kittens with a heavy worm burden.
• Vomiting or diarrhea: Especially if worms are present in what comes up.
• Weight loss or poor growth: The worms are competing for nutrients, which hits young kittens hardest.
• Dull coat: A generally unthrifty appearance, like your cat just isn’t quite thriving.
• Coughing: In some cases, larvae migrate through the lungs during their life cycle, causing a mild cough.

If your kitten has a pot-belly and seems lethargic, don’t wait to see the vet. A heavy infestation can be serious in very young animals.

Diagnosis and treatment

How vets diagnose roundworms

Your vet will typically run a fecal flotation test, where they take a small stool sample, mix it with a solution that causes parasite eggs to float to the surface, and examine it under a microscope to confirm what’s present. It’s quick, straightforward, and gives your vet a clear picture of what they’re working with. Sometimes the diagnosis is even simpler: if you bring in a photo or sample of what you found in your cat’s poop, that’s often enough to confirm roundworms on the spot.

How to treat roundworms in cats

The good news is that roundworms respond well to treatment. Your vet will likely recommend a dewormer, most commonly one containing pyrantel pamoate, a medication that paralyzes the worms so your cat can pass them. You might see dead worms in your cat’s poop after treatment, which is completely normal and means it’s working.

Treatment usually involves two or three rounds spaced a few weeks apart, because dewormers kill adult worms but not eggs. The follow-up doses catch any newly hatched larvae before they mature.

When it comes to roundworms in cats’ treatment over the counter, some pyrantel-based products are available at pet stores without a prescription. That said, your vet is the right first call, especially for kittens, since dosing matters and you want to confirm what parasite you’re actually treating.

The family safety angle: roundworms and your kids

Roundworms are zoonotic, meaning they can infect people, not just cats. Children are at the highest risk. If a child accidentally swallows a roundworm egg from contaminated soil or a litter box, the larvae can migrate into body tissues and organs, causing a condition called visceral larva migrans, which can affect the liver, lungs, and in rare cases, the eyes.

That sounds alarming, but it’s very preventable.

• Scoop the litter box daily; roundworm eggs need up to a month in the environment before they become infectious, so freshly shed eggs aren’t immediately dangerous. But eggs can survive in soil and litter for a long time once they mature, so frequent cleaning is still one of the best habits you can build.
• Wash hands thoroughly; after handling the litter box or after children play outside. This is the single most effective step your family can take.
• Keep your cat on a regular deworming schedule; ask your vet how often makes sense based on your cat’s lifestyle and whether they go outside.
• Cover sandboxes when not in use; this prevents outdoor cats from using them as a litter area and reduces egg contamination in spaces where children play.
• Schedule routine fecal tests; at least once a year for indoor cats, more often for cats that go outside or hunt regularly.

A cat that’s current on deworming is a much lower risk to everyone in the house. Staying proactive is genuinely the best strategy here.

Does pet insurance cover roundworms in cats?

Routine deworming and fecal tests are the front line against roundworms. A Lemonade Preventative Care add-on can help cover those costs as part of a regular wellness routine.

If your cat develops a roundworm-related illness that requires veterinary treatment, Lemonade’s base illness coverage may apply, subject to the illness waiting period (which varies by state) and as long as the condition isn’t pre-existing when you enroll.

If your cat is already diagnosed when you sign up, that infection won’t be covered. Enrolling before issues come up gives your cat the most complete coverage from day one.

Before we go

Roundworms are common, treatable, and very manageable once you know what you’re dealing with. A deworming course, a follow-up fecal test, and consistent litter hygiene are usually all it takes. If you have young children at home, the handwashing and daily litter scooping habits matter just as much as the vet visit. Start there, and stay on it.

Frequently Asked Questions

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