Can Cats Eat Worms (Earthworms)? Vet Approved Facts & Safety Tips
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Yueke
Wed, May 15, 2024
PHOTO: Yueke
Cats are carnivores by nature, and they’ll chase after and hunt any animal they can when they’re outside. This includes even the smallest, most unlikely of prey, such as earthworms! Cats are opportunistic hunters who’ll eat any small creature if it’s a viable source of nutrition, and if your cat comes across an earthworm, they may eat it.
Although cats can eat earthworms, it’s wise to stop them from doing it as much as you can. Earthworms can carry parasites that cause disease in cats, so preventing them from ingesting earthworms is the best course of action.
Earthworms aren’t toxic to cats, but they’re not the best things for them to eat, either. Earthworms only provide your cat with a little protein, and there are nasty parasites that can be transferred from the worm to your cat. Capillaria is a parasite your cat can pick up from earthworms, and they can cause problems in many organs of the body.
Infections of Capillaria worms, often Capillaria plica, in cats cause Capillariasis. This species of parasitic worm has a complex life cycle that begins with eggs being deposited into the soil via the urine of infected cats. These then hatch into larvae that are ingested by earthworms. Once ingested, the larvae will mature in the earthworm until they’re able to infect a new host.
Once a cat eats an earthworm infected with a Capillaria worm, the worms will mature and move to the bladder. Eggs are shed into the urine, which then starts the life cycle again. There are several signs Capillaria worms can cause, but many cats don’t show any visible signs at all.
Cats can have similar signs for different urinary problems, like bladder stones or crystals. It’s crucial to take your cat to the vet if they seem unwell.
If your cat eats an earthworm, the likelihood is that they’ll be fine! Because earthworms aren’t toxic, they’ll likely not cause a problem. However, there’s a chance that any earthworms they eat could carry Capillaria or other infectious parasites, such as roundworm eggs.
Earthworms move through soil where roundworm eggs can be found, but they don’t spread them directly. If you notice your cat eating an earthworm or notice any signs of ill health, you should seek the advice of your vet. Your vet can tell you whether your cat needs to see them and can advise you of any signs to look out for.
Cats are hunters that chase and consume prey. Outdoor cats may be on the prowl and consider an earthworm a quick and juicy snack, but they don’t provide much in the way of nutrients. In most cases, domestic cats will eat earthworms simply because they’re playing with them, rather because they’re hungry. Although pet cats don’t generally need to hunt for food, the hunting instinct is still there.
The only reliable way to prevent your cat from eating earthworms is to stop them from going outside. Earthworms only usually come up from underground after it rains, as the topsoil is easier to move through when wet. However, you cannot guarantee there won’t be any on dry ground, so there’s always the chance your clever cat could find one! But really, there’s no real need to stop them. In most cases, your cat will have no ill effects of eating earthworms, and most routine worming treatments will eradicate any parasites.
A catio can help keep your cat safe from eating earthworms, getting sick or attacked by predators, and hunting other animals. Catios can give your cat the freedom to enjoy the fresh air while keeping them enclosed and protected.
Cats are natural hunters that play with and eat many creatures. Earthworms are a relatively novel experience for many cats, particularly if they don’t get outside much! They’re wriggly and easy to catch, so your cat might decide to sample one to see what it’s like.
Earthworms aren’t toxic to cats and will most likely cause them no harm. However, they can carry Capillaria worms and other parasite eggs due to their movement through the soil. Provided that your cat is up to date with their preventative health treatments, there is likely no cause for alarm, but if in doubt, always speak to your vet.
Although cats can eat earthworms, it’s wise to stop them from doing it as much as you can. Earthworms can carry parasites that cause disease in cats, so preventing them from ingesting earthworms is the best course of action.
Earthworms aren’t toxic to cats, but they’re not the best things for them to eat, either. Earthworms only provide your cat with a little protein, and there are nasty parasites that can be transferred from the worm to your cat. Capillaria is a parasite your cat can pick up from earthworms, and they can cause problems in many organs of the body.
Infections of Capillaria worms, often Capillaria plica, in cats cause Capillariasis. This species of parasitic worm has a complex life cycle that begins with eggs being deposited into the soil via the urine of infected cats. These then hatch into larvae that are ingested by earthworms. Once ingested, the larvae will mature in the earthworm until they’re able to infect a new host.
Once a cat eats an earthworm infected with a Capillaria worm, the worms will mature and move to the bladder. Eggs are shed into the urine, which then starts the life cycle again. There are several signs Capillaria worms can cause, but many cats don’t show any visible signs at all.
Cats can have similar signs for different urinary problems, like bladder stones or crystals. It’s crucial to take your cat to the vet if they seem unwell.
If your cat eats an earthworm, the likelihood is that they’ll be fine! Because earthworms aren’t toxic, they’ll likely not cause a problem. However, there’s a chance that any earthworms they eat could carry Capillaria or other infectious parasites, such as roundworm eggs.
Earthworms move through soil where roundworm eggs can be found, but they don’t spread them directly. If you notice your cat eating an earthworm or notice any signs of ill health, you should seek the advice of your vet. Your vet can tell you whether your cat needs to see them and can advise you of any signs to look out for.
Cats are hunters that chase and consume prey. Outdoor cats may be on the prowl and consider an earthworm a quick and juicy snack, but they don’t provide much in the way of nutrients. In most cases, domestic cats will eat earthworms simply because they’re playing with them, rather because they’re hungry. Although pet cats don’t generally need to hunt for food, the hunting instinct is still there.
The only reliable way to prevent your cat from eating earthworms is to stop them from going outside. Earthworms only usually come up from underground after it rains, as the topsoil is easier to move through when wet. However, you cannot guarantee there won’t be any on dry ground, so there’s always the chance your clever cat could find one! But really, there’s no real need to stop them. In most cases, your cat will have no ill effects of eating earthworms, and most routine worming treatments will eradicate any parasites.
A catio can help keep your cat safe from eating earthworms, getting sick or attacked by predators, and hunting other animals. Catios can give your cat the freedom to enjoy the fresh air while keeping them enclosed and protected.
Cats are natural hunters that play with and eat many creatures. Earthworms are a relatively novel experience for many cats, particularly if they don’t get outside much! They’re wriggly and easy to catch, so your cat might decide to sample one to see what it’s like.
Earthworms aren’t toxic to cats and will most likely cause them no harm. However, they can carry Capillaria worms and other parasite eggs due to their movement through the soil. Provided that your cat is up to date with their preventative health treatments, there is likely no cause for alarm, but if in doubt, always speak to your vet.
Healthy cats need to drink around four ounces of water per five pounds of body weight daily. This amount will vary though, depending on their diet, activity levels and any underlying medical conditions. Unfortunately, some kitties are very picky and particular about the kind of water they drink and the receptacle they drink from. Since we often enjoy bottled water’s fresh and pure taste, it only makes sense that our cats will also enjoy it, right?
While cats might enjoy drinking bottled water and can drink it safely, it may not always be the best kind of water for your kitty to drink. Read on to learn more.
Giving your kitty bottled water isn’t inherently dangerous, so long as the brand in question is a high-quality and fresh option. Bottled water is great in a pinch, such as when you’re traveling or if you’re in an emergency. We recommend opting for spring water or bottled tap varieties wherever possible.
Spring water is naturally free of chemicals such as chlorine or toxins that can leach into the water from plastic bottles. It also usually contains trace minerals like calcium and magnesium, which can benefit your kitty.
Bottled tap water is typically filtered and, therefore, free of the impurities and toxins that could potentially be found in the tap water supply.
Not all bottled water is created equal.
The biggest risk of bottled water is not the water itself but the packaging. BPA (bisphenol A) is a chemical used in countless plastic products, including plastic water bottles. It’s also used in the coating of aluminum cans like those your pet’s wet food comes in.
While there is limited research about the dangers of BPA for cats, there is circumstantial evidence suggesting a link between BPA found in canned wet food and hyperthyroidism 1.
No, not all bottled water varieties use BPA. Some of the most popular brands don’t use BPA in their packaging, including:
Most experts agree that tap water is generally the safest and cheapest option for pets, especially if the water is filtered.
However, this depends entirely on where you live, as some areas may have contaminants in their water supply, especially if your home has an older plumbing system. However, it is generally safe for you to give your cat the same water you drink. You can buy filter attachments for your taps that filter out impurities, making your drinking water safer and healthier for you and your pets. Cats are often sensitive to the taste of chlorine so often prefer filtered water.
While bottled water is generally safe, especially if you choose varieties that don’t use BPA in their packaging, it’s not the most cost-effective water option. Filtered tap water is generally considered the best type of water for pets and can be achieved by purchasing a simple attachment for your faucets.