Cat Ailments A to Z - Tapeworm

If only every icky thing could be made into a cute stuffed toy

What is a Tapeworm
A Tapeworm is a Intestinal Parasite

Parasites are the hitchhikers of the world.
They can not survive on their own.
They need a host.
They thrive inside the body of an animal or human, but once outside of the body they die.


Dipylidium Caninum is by far the most common species observed in cats.

Fleas are the intermediate host for Dipylidium Caninum. 

In other words, the tapeworm is unable to complete its life cycle without the presence of fleas in the environment.
Meaning - regardless of what you have seen, the cat must have ingested a flea in order to have tapeworms.
 Needless to say...the chances of a cat having tapeworm grows with the amount of fleas

The tapeworm uses its hook-like mouthparts for anchoring to the wall of the small intestine.

• Eventually, adult tapeworms may reach several inches in length. 

As the adult matures, individual segments called proglottids break off from the main body of the tapeworm and pass into the cat's feces.

• The segments may often be seen near the anus of the cat.
• Each tapeworm segment has its own reproductive organs. ( well that's kinda creepy)
• The segments that are found around the cats anus may move if recently passed
• When they dry, they look like grains of uncooked rice or cucumber seeds.( which is extra icky if you were planning to have rice for dinner)

This is usually how the owner recognizes the Tapeworm infection

• Sometimes, if the cat vomits up Tapeworms you will see it in one long strand. (also not pleasant)

Just to warn you... sometimes it does not make it all the way out.. so the cat takes it back in.. That is the nicest way I can explain that...

• Another sign of Tapeworm would be seeing your cat dragging its butt across the carpet... (Oh joy, poor meows, its gotta feel weird)

Due to Fleas being a host - if you see fleas it may be a good idea to keep on eye on the cats butt... fun times.. and it is always a good idea to examine the litter box ( the things we do for our meows)

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Tapeworms are the Houdinis of the worm world.
They dry up and generally are not seen in a fecal exam.
Tapeworms look like rice and are generally known to hang out on your pets butt. 
If you are not sure what you are seeing.. this may sound kinda weird..Take a picture
Then your vet can see for themselves.
Worm selfie ?