Tapeworms in Cats: Rice-Like Segments, Causes and Treatment

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 20, 20264 min read

It is a small discovery with a big yuck factor: a few dry, pale grains on the fur near your cat's tail, or on its bed, that look like rice or sesame seeds. They are likely segments of tapeworm. Tapeworms are common, easy to treat and, with the right steps, easy to prevent.

What are tapeworms?

Tapeworms are flat, segmented parasites that live in the small intestine, attached by their heads. The body is made of segments, each containing eggs. Segments break off and pass in the stool, or crawl out of the rectum, and dry into rice-like grains. The worm itself can grow many inches long, but it is rarely seen whole.

How cats get them

• Dipylidium caninum (flea tapeworm). The most common. Flea larvae eat tapeworm eggs. A cat that grooms and swallows an infected flea becomes infected. See fleas on cats.
• Taenia species. Cats get them by eating infected rodents, rabbits or birds. Hunting cats are at risk.
• Other types, in specific regions.

Signs

• White, rice-like segments on the fur, near the anus, in stool or on bedding.
• Scooting, licking or chewing the rear.
• Itching.
• Occasional vomiting, where a worm may be visible.
• Weight loss or a dull coat in heavy infections.
• Often no signs at all.

Can people catch them?

The flea tapeworm can rarely infect people, usually children, who accidentally swallow an infected flea. Good hygiene and flea control prevent this. Wash hands after handling pets and cleaning litter. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned.

Diagnosis

Seeing segments is often enough. A stool test may miss tapeworm eggs, since they are in segments, so a negative fecal test does not rule them out. Your vet may check for other worms at the same time. See worms in cats.

Treatment

Treatment is straightforward. A dewormer with praziquantel, as a tablet, injection or spot-on, kills tapeworms. Some combination products also treat other worms. Do not use dewormers meant for other worms, since they may not cover tapeworms. Dose by weight, and follow the label. Ask your vet to recommend a product. Repeat treatment if advised.

Preventing reinfection

Treatment kills the worms, but does not stop a cat from catching them again.

• Flea control. Use a year-round flea product. See cat flea treatment options.
• Treat all pets, in the household.
• Limit hunting. Keep cats indoors, or in a catio. See how to build a catio.
• Clean the environment, with vacuuming and washing of bedding.
• Clean litter regularly.
• Regular fecal checks and deworming as your vet advises.

Kittens

Kittens can get tapeworms from fleas, too. They need a vet-approved dewormer, and flea control. See kitten first vet visit.

Complications

Tapeworms rarely cause serious problems in cats. Heavy infections in young or sick cats can cause weight loss, poor coat and intestinal irritation. Rarely, a cat vomits a worm. Fleas themselves can cause anemia in kittens.

Why you do not always see the segments

Tapeworm segments are shed in bursts, so you may see them one day and not for weeks. They dry out quickly and are tiny. Check the fur around the tail, the cat's bed and the litter box, particularly after your cat has been scooting. A flat, moving segment on fresh stool is easy to spot, while a dried one looks like a sesame seed. If you suspect tapeworm, collect a segment in a clean, sealed bag or take a photo, and show your vet.

Do cats need regular deworming?

How often your cat should be dewormed depends on its lifestyle. Outdoor, hunting cats are at higher risk and may need treatment every few months. Indoor cats on flea control are at lower risk. Ask your vet for a schedule, including a fecal check each year. Many broad-spectrum monthly preventives cover roundworms and hookworms but not tapeworms, so check the label.

Other worms that look similar

Not every pale speck is a tapeworm. Roundworms look like spaghetti, and may be vomited. Hookworms are tiny, and rarely seen. Whipworms are uncommon in cats. See worms in cats. Let your vet identify what you found.

Keeping the litter box clean

Scoop daily, and dispose of waste in a sealed bag. Wash the box regularly. This lowers the risk of other parasites spreading and keeps your home clean. See how often to clean a litter box.

Pregnant and nursing cats

Treat with care, and only with products your vet approves. Tapeworms are rarely passed from mother to kittens, but fleas are, so keep the environment clean and the mother on safe flea control.

When to see a vet

See a vet if you see rice-like segments, or if your cat scoots or loses weight. Use the US vet directory to find a clinic.

This article is general educational information, not veterinary advice. Every cat is different. If your cat is unwell, or you are unsure about a symptom, diet change or medication, contact your veterinarian.