Is It Safe to Touch a Cat with Worms? What Every Pet Owner Should Know
Finding out your cat has worms can be alarming, and it's natural to ask, "Can I still touch my cat if it has worms?" The short answer is yes—but with some caveats. Understanding the type of worms and their transmission dynamics is key to protecting both your pet and your household.
Understanding Capillaria Worms in Cats
Capillaria are small parasitic worms that can invade various parts of a cat's body, notably the bladder, respiratory tract, and sinus cavities. The most common species in cats include Capillaria plica (also called Pearsonema plica) and Capillaria feliscati, which are referred to as bladder worms.
How Do Cats Get Infected?
The life cycle of Capillaria makes direct infection from one cat to another—especially to humans—extremely rare. Here’s how a cat gets infected:
- Worm eggs are excreted in urine and enter the environment.
- An earthworm ingests the eggs, acting as an intermediate host.
- A cat then becomes infected by eating the earthworm, soil containing worm debris, or prey that has ingested the earthworm.
This cycle means the parasites cannot spread directly from an infected cat to a person through touch. Infection requires an intermediate host, which humans are not.
Should You Touch Your Cat if It's Infected?
Yes, but it’s wise to take hygienic precautions:
- Wash your hands after handling your cat, especially before eating or touching your face.
- Avoid direct contact with cat urine or feces, as these can contain parasite eggs.
- Disinfect litter boxes regularly and use gloves if preferred.
Since the Capillaria species that affect cats are not known to infect humans in any way relevant to casual contact, the public health risk is minimal.
What If Your Cat Shows Symptoms?
Most cats with Capillaria do not exhibit symptoms. When they do, signs depend on where the worms reside:
- Urinary Tract: frequent urination, straining, blood in the urine, or urinary accidents.
- Respiratory System: coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath.
- Sinus Cavities: sneezing or nasal discharge.
If your cat shows any of these symptoms, it's essential to consult a veterinarian for appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
Treatment Options
Although many infestations remain subclinical and don’t require treatment, more severe cases may be handled using:
- Fenbendazole: 50 mg/kg orally for 4–10 days
- Ivermectin: 0.2 mg/kg by injection
Supportive care, such as anti-inflammatory meds, may also be provided in case of discomfort or bladder inflammation.
Preventive Measures
- Keep cats indoors to avoid contact with intermediate hosts like earthworms or prey animals.
- Regular deworming for at-risk (outdoor) cats.
- Ensure a clean, hygienic living environment.
- Provide clean drinking water to minimize infection risks.
Can Humans Catch These Worms from Cats?
No. Capillaria plica and Capillaria feliscati are host-specific and do not pose a direct zoonotic risk. Although humans can contract other types of Capillaria from undercooked fish or frogs, these are not the same species that infect cats.
Prognosis and Recovery
With appropriate treatment, the prognosis for cats with Capillaria is excellent. Follow-up urinalysis or fecal exams may be performed to ensure the worms are fully eradicated. In most cases, cats recover fully without complications.
Bottom Line
Yes, you can touch your cat if it has Capillaria worms. Practicing proper hygiene and understanding the nature of the infection minimizes any risk. With veterinary supervision, your cat can overcome the infection and return to good health swiftly.
