Can You Get Worms from Your Cat in Bed? Understanding the Risks

Curling up with your cat in bed at night is one of the best parts of pet ownership, but could there be a downside to this cozy ritual? Yes, you can get worms from your cat in bed. Cats can carry and spread a number of parasites, including roundworms and hookworms, to humans, so it’s important to practice good hygiene and make sure your cat is treated for worms.

This article explores a wide range of veterinary research, public health studies, and expert recommendations for pet owners. It covers how worms are transmitted between cats and people, the environmental factors that make transmission more likely, and the best ways to prevent the spread of worms so you and your pet can stay safe and healthy.

By the end of this article, you will have the information you need to minimize the risks to your health while enjoying the company of your cat.

How Cat Worms Live and Spread

A detailed examination of the lifecycles of common parasites like roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms helps to explain how these worms can be transmitted from cats to people. For example, roundworms, especially Toxocara cati, begin their lifecycle when cats consume their eggs from the environment.

The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that the larvae hatch and can migrate to different organs, including the lungs. Meanwhile, hookworms are usually acquired by cats through skin penetration or ingestion, after which the worms mature into adults in the intestine.

On the other hand, tapeworms need intermediate hosts, like fleas or rodents, that cats can consume while grooming or hunting. These different lifecycles come together in one place to be transmitted to people: our homes, especially when cats sleep in our beds. The warmth and closeness make it easier for parasite eggs to be accidentally ingested or for larvae to come into contact with human skin.

For example, some roundworm eggs can remain viable for years in the right conditions, which shows that parasites can survive outside of their host for a long time. This is why good hygiene is so important when it comes to preventing these infections, according to the Cornell Feline Health Center.

Knowing about these ways that parasites can be transmitted and how long they can survive in different conditions is important when it comes to preventing and controlling the transmission of worms from cats to people.

Risks and Realities: Can People Get Worms from Cats?

While the company of a cat can be wonderful, it also comes with a number of responsibilities, one of which is an understanding of zoonotic diseases those that can be transmitted from animals to humans.

According to Elanco, the three most common worms that can be transmitted from cats to humans are roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms. The risk of transmission is higher if cat owners don’t deworm their cats regularly or if they let their cats outside, where they can hunt and potentially catch infected prey.

The Cornell Feline Health Center reports that the risk of zoonotic disease transmission from cats is generally low, but it can be high if people don’t follow good hygiene practices, especially in the case of young children who may be more likely to come into contact with contaminated soil.

The best way to prevent zoonotic disease transmission is to practice good hygiene, including washing your hands regularly after handling pets or cleaning their litter, and making sure that your cats are treated for fleas and worms on a regular basis.

While the risk of zoonotic disease transmission from cats to humans isn’t well-documented, the use of preventive measures is well-documented to reduce the risk. By keeping a clean home and staying on top of your cat’s health, you can enjoy your cat’s company while keeping yourself safe.

Preventing Worms: How to Keep Your Cat and Home Clean and Dewormed

If you want to keep worms out of your home while living with a cat, it’s essential to prioritize regular deworming and good hygiene. A paper in PMC suggests that deworming kittens should start at six weeks of age, with the frequency of treatments adjusted to ensure that the animal is protected from endoparasites. This will help prevent the establishment of worm infestations that can lead to shedding in your home.

In addition to deworming, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that maintaining a clean environment is important. This includes cleaning areas where pets spend time, washing your hands after handling pets, and cleaning up feces. You can also reduce the risk of worm transmission by regularly washing your cat’s bedding and your own.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) also emphasizes the importance of treating and preventing external parasites like fleas, which can carry tapeworms. Not only is it important to treat these parasites, but it’s also important to take steps to prevent them in the first place to protect your pet and prevent zoonotic diseases.

By following these steps, you can protect yourself and your home while also ensuring a safe, clean environment for your cat. In the process, you’ll help maintain a positive human-animal bond that allows you to enjoy the comfort and companionship of your cat without worry.

Other Factors to Consider

Cats will choose their sleeping partners and locations for a variety of reasons. For example, cats will often snuggle with their owner near the head or feet, where body heat escapes, because of their need for warmth and security, according to Newsweek.

Yet, this desired closeness can also increase the risk of worm transmission because the closer the cat is to the owner, the easier it is for the cat to pass worms to the owner.

Meanwhile, Union Lake Pet Services explains that cats will change their sleeping locations based on their need for security and comfort, which can include the owner’s bed. The frequency of these behaviors and the cat’s personal hygiene can also play a role in how much of a risk there is for worm transmission.

Cat Behavior Associates points out that a cat’s decision to sleep under the covers or next to their human is based on the comforting smells and sounds they experience.

It’s important to understand these behaviors so you can better understand the risk of worm transmission. While the warmth and closeness between a cat and their owner can be heartwarming, it’s important to understand how these behaviors can impact the risk of worm transmission. Knowing this information is important for managing close sleeping arrangements and ensuring a safe environment for both people and cats.

How to Recognize and Treat Worm Infections in Humans from Animals

If you think you may have a worm infection, there are a few symptoms to look out for, including abdominal pain, bloating, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss.

According to Medical News Today, other symptoms can include digestive issues, anal itching, and seeing worms in your stool. If the larvae of tapeworms, a type of intestinal parasite, migrate to other parts of the body, they can cause more serious symptoms that impact the central nervous system, such as seizures, vision loss, or headaches.

Doctors will start the process of diagnosing a worm infection with a physical exam and may follow up with stool samples, imaging, or biopsies to identify the specific type of worm, according to MedicineNet.

Once a diagnosis is made, doctors will prescribe a targeted treatment plan, which may include antiparasitic medications like albendazole and praziquantel, to effectively get rid of the parasites. The Mayo Clinic notes that antiparasitic medications are highly effective in treating tapeworm infections and that treatment is usually successful if the patient follows the treatment plan.

It’s important to see a doctor if you’re experiencing ongoing digestive issues, unexplained weight loss, or if you see any signs of worms. Getting treatment early can help prevent more severe complications and health issues. With the right diagnosis and treatment, most worm infections can be treated successfully, allowing you to continue to enjoy your pet’s company without worry.

Final Thoughts on Cats and Health

As we’ve discussed in this article, the risk of cat worms is real but can be managed with the right care and precautions. Cat owners need to make sure they follow good hygiene practices, stick to regular deworming schedules, and ensure that living spaces are kept clean to reduce the risk of parasites being transmitted.

Although it can be scary to think about these risks, it’s important to remember that the love and companionship of a cat are well worth it. By following the steps we’ve outlined here, including keeping the environment clean and understanding the importance of pet hygiene, cat owners can reduce health risks and continue to enjoy their pets safely.

The relationship between people and cats is a special one that’s built on shared moments and love. By taking a proactive approach to health and hygiene, that relationship can continue to thrive without concern. So, go ahead and cuddle up with your cat, secure in the knowledge that these steps will help you both stay healthy and happy.