My Cat Has Worms How Do I Clean My House
My cat has worms how do I clean my house- as a pet owner, this can be a stressful issue. It is typical for cats to get infected with any type of internal parasite, at least at some point during their lifetime. And one such common parasite is worms. Cats spend a lot of time outdoors, and the chances of them catching worms while roaming around are pretty high.
It is not impossible to treat a worm infection, and you can deal with it with the help of the proper medication. However, just like the worm problem is pretty frustrating for your cat, the situation can also be messy for your surroundings.
If your pet cap is infected with worms, you will see these creatures on your floors, pillows, and even bed sheets. The infected cat might experience diarrhea and vomiting, and it is undoubtedly natural to feel stressed during these times. The medication will take care of the worms, but what about the mess around you, the foul smell, and the stains?
It is where this article comes into the picture. It answers all the different aspects if you think, “My cat has worms how do I clean my house?”.
How do worms infect cats?
‘My cat has worms how do I clean my house’- but how did it happen?
If your cat goes outdoors often, it is not very difficult to catch a worm infection. The risk is slightly less if they stay all the time indoors, but it’s expected when they roam around. The most common reason is direct contact between the cat and the worm’s eggs or infected feces.
If you have a pet cat, you might have noticed that they tend to groom themselves by licking their fur and paws.
While doing this, they unknowingly rub the feces or the eggs on themselves. The parasite eggs find their way out of your pet’s body through their stool, and the modes of infection vary.
However, do not think your indoor cat is also safe from worms. Sometimes we may bring the eggs or infected fleas inside the house through our clothing and shoes.
Plus, these worms can enter the muscle tissue of small rodents. Cats are known to love hunting rats, and they can get contaminated if we consume an infected one. Direct contact with an infected animal can also increase the risk of contamination.
Common types of worms in cats
Worms in cats do not usually cause death, and you can get rid of them with regular treatment. However, some types are hazardous and can be lethal. Here are some common types of worms that are not fatal-
- Tapeworms.
- Hookworms.
- Roundworms
- Whipworms.
Some examples of lethal worms are lungworms, stomach worms, heartworms, and liver flukes. However, these worms are not quite common in cats.
In the case of a tapeworm, the cat plays the role of a host. The process starts when the cat consumes an infected flea. The worm travels to the gastrointestinal tract, breaks its composition, and the tapeworm is released.
Roundworms are the most common type, and your cat can get infected by ingesting infected roundworm eggs.
Your cat can also get infected if it preys on other infected creatures. Hookworms can infect a cat in multiple ways like skin penetration, ingesting infected larvae, and even passing on from the infected mother to her babies via the placenta or the breast milk.
Symptoms that your cat is suffering from a worm infection.
There are some symptoms of worm infections in cats that are universally acknowledged. But you must know at the same time that sometimes a cat does not show any signs even if it is infected. And that is why it is recommended that you take your pet for a consultation at the vet regularly.
Here are some common symptoms that can act as a sign that your cat is suffering from a worm infection-
- Vomiting (sometimes you might notice worms in the vomit).
- Significant weight loss.
- Skin lesions.
- Diarrhea (can contain blood or not)
- Distended abdomen.
- Black or tarry feces with a foul smell.
Your cat may show weakness, dehydration, and low blood pressure if the infection is severe.
Tips for cleaning your house after a worm infection in your cat.
If your cat has worms, and you’re thinking- “my cat has worms how do I clean my house” you are worried about finding the most effective way of cleaning your house such that it can prevent reinfection or transmission to humans.
Remember that you must do a thorough job because if the worms are not removed from all surfaces, this kind of infection can always return.
Heat is very effective in removing worms and worm eggs from all surfaces. And these tips will help you maintain a clean and healthy home and a healthy cat within a short time.
1. Clean up the feces from the litter box and other surfaces.
If your cat is infected with worms, it may show sudden episodes of vomiting and diarrhea very frequently. And your cat feces has the risk of containing worms and worm eggs. Hence, it is essential to target the litter box at the very first step.
It is necessary to clean the litter box every day while your cat is recovering. You can use it as a disinfectant to eliminate as many eggs as possible.
But it is vital to Remember to wear protective equipment like rubber gloves while dealing with cat feces to avoid contamination to the best of your capability.
If your cat decides to throw up on a hard surface, you can use paper towels or old newspapers to clean it up after slightly misting it.
2. Deworm the cat
As we have discussed the worms above, the deworming medication you should use depends on the type of worm your cat is infected with. You never know what kind of worm your cat is infected with unless you take him for a visit to the vet.
They will give the appropriate medication and treatment plan. And you can always purchase the development medicine from a local pharmacy.
3. Clean solid surfaces with hot water and detergent.
If you are facing the issue of ‘My cat has worms how do I clean my house’, your primary objective is to eliminate the worm infestation from every nook and corner of the house. There should not be any traces of it left behind after you are done with the cleaning process.
Wipe out all the hard surfaces in the home. Sometimes the eggs can tend to hold on to the fur on your cat and then spread to different areas in the house. You have to cover all the crevices.
You can use the solution of detergent and boiling water to do the trick and heat to kill necessary germs. Adding bleach to the vinegar solution is another great idea. But it is essential to be careful as bleach tends to leave a stain behind.
4. Wash soft furnishings
Parasites thrive on soft materials like cushions and blankets, and bedding. And once it gets hold of the fur on your cat, it gets transferred easily to different areas in the house.
Select all the items your cat has been in contact with since it was infected and put all of them into the washing machine.
Giving these items a hot wash will kill all the remaining eggs and prevent the infection from coming back. For sofa and couches, you can opt for a steam cleaner instead.
5. Keep the outdoors clean
You are wrong if you think cleaning just inside the house will suffice when there is an issue of ‘My cat has worms how do I clean my house.’ Cleaning outside the house is just as important because the eggs and worms are lurking outside.
You can use a solution of boiling water and bleach. Another advantage has a porch that gets plenty of sunlight. Worms are usually sensitive to UV light and will not be able to survive in that case.
6. Keep your cat groomed
We have already discussed the above that cats tend to groom themselves regularly. It’s time you participate, and a flea comb can be the perfect companion.
It will help eliminate any worms before they spread and degrade your cat’s overall health.
7. Your carpets need a deep cleaning session.
Carpets are the perfect, cozy spot for worms and eggs as the fibers make it very easy to get attached. And once they do, they can stay on the carpet for weeks and even longer.
The best-recommended idea in this scenario is to use heat with the help of a vacuum cleaner. Deep cleaning is vital in severe infestation, and steam cleaning can do the trick here. Want to try something even easier?
Try sprinkling some salt on the carpet when it is dry and leave it like that for a few days. Keep the rug away from pets and children during that time. The worms will die, and you can use the vacuum cleaner to dispose of everything immediately.
8. Use an enzymatic cleaner
Irrespective of the cleaning job, enzymatic cleaners can make a huge difference when you think, ‘My cat has worms how do I clean my house?’
These products break down the odor molecules and permanently eliminate the smell, unlike other cleaning products that only focus on masking the scent.
However, it may not work immediately, and you may need to repeat the process a few times before it completely disappears.
Conclusion.
Cleaning up your home and getting rid of these parasites is hard work as they tend to survive on surfaces for a long time and cause re-infection.
But the steps mentioned above will help you a lot throughout the cleaning process and will also prevent your cat from catching worms in the first place.
Hopefully, this guide has helped answer your question- ‘My cat has worms how do I clean my house.’’
FAQs.
Can humans get the cat’s worms if they touch an infected cat?
Yes, it is possible to get infected if you maintain close contact with an infected cat. Hence it is recommended to avoid sleeping with your cat and to always wash your hands after playing with them.
Is worm infection painful for cats?
Yes, worm infection can cause pain to the cats, and they can experience irritated eyes, a change in breathing rate, and even belly pain which can lead to vomiting.
Can you treat a worm-infected cat at home?
Some homely tips to cure your infected cat at home like using apple cider vinegar, pumpkin seeds, turmeric, etc. But it is always better to seek professional advice as it can lead to serious health conditions that can even be fatal.
How often should you deworm your cat?
It is best to deworm your cat at least once every three months to ensure she is safe and healthy.
Can cat worms live in bedding and furniture?
Yes, cat worms are capable of living in bedding and furniture for several months. But tapeworms cannot reproduce and grow without a host. Hence they keep waiting to enter a suitable host.