Whipworms in Cats

If you’ve ever welcomed a kitten into your home (or are about to), there’s a good chance the topic of cat worms has (or will) come up. Maybe even more often than you’d like! Veterinarians often focus on roundworms and hookworms when discussing the importance of deworming. However, lesser-known whipworms in cats deserve air time, too.

Though only about 0.1 percent of pet cats in the U.S. have whipworms [1], understanding this rare parasite is essential. Treatment for whipworms differs significantly from other cat worms, so it’s vital to know what to expect and how to protect your pet. 

Here’s everything you need to know about whipworm in cats, from the symptoms your kitty may show to diagnosis, treatment, and prevention tips.

What Are Whipworms?

Whipworms are a parasite in the genus Trichuris. These tiny, thread-like nematodes live in the colon or in the large intestine. Because they are rare in cats, the impact is low for most felines. Though severe infestations can lead to health issues like anemia.

Unlike roundworms, which are more likely to cause noticeable symptoms, such as diarrhea, feline whipworm infections often go undetected. That’s why knowing what to watch out for to ensure speedy diagnosis and treatment is crucial for maintaining your cat’s health.

Because they are rare in cats, the impact is low for most cats. Roundworms and hookworms are much more prevalent and more often associated with symptoms like diarrhea.

What do Whipworms Look Like?

Whipworms are slender, white to off-white worms measuring 2–3 inches long. Their bodies are mostly thin, with one end widening significantly, giving them a whip-like appearance. The thicker part resembles the handle of a whip.

While adult whipworms are visible to the naked eye, whipworm eggs in cat feces are microscopic. You won’t see these eggs without a microscope, but they play a key role in transmitting the infection.

How Do Cats Get Whipworms?

Cats develop a whipworm infection by ingesting soil, food, or water contaminated with the parasite’s eggs.

Cats cannot give the infection to one another directly. However, when an infected cat defecates, they shed whipworm eggs in their feces (poop).

It takes 9 to 21 days for these eggs to mature and become infective. These infective eggs can survive for years in harsh conditions. Once a cat ingests an infective egg, it hatches in their intestines, growing into an adult whipworm within 3 months.

Outdoor cats have an increased risk of getting a whipworm infection. Certain regions of the United States may have higher prevalence as well. A study on outdoor cats in Florida found whipworms in 38 percent of cats [2] – a marked increase from just 0.1 percent of domestic cats nationwide.

Can Humans Get Whipworms from Cats?

Whipworms are highly species-specific. Cat whipworms infect only cats, so humans are not at risk. While there are rare cases of humans contracting whipworms from dogs, there are no such reports involving cats.

Still, you never know what parasites or animals may be hanging around your yard. So it’s always best to practice good hygiene to reduce the risk of transmission. Always wash your hands thoroughly after cleaning up animal feces or working with potentially contaminated soil.

Whipworm Symptoms in Cats

In cats, whipworms survive by feeding off feline blood and the lining of the intestine. Most cats with whipworms show no apparent symptoms. However, in severe cases, the parasitic worms can cause significant blood loss.

In some cases, this can trigger anemia (low red blood cells), which can cause subtle symptoms over time. In kittens, these signs are more dramatic because they are smaller and have less blood to lose.

Symptoms may include:

• Diarrhea
• Frequent trips to the litter box to poop
• Weight loss
• Less active
• Pale gums (pale pink instead of healthy vibrant pink)
• Belly pain

If you notice any of these symptoms, consult your veterinarian for testing and treatment.

Diagnosing Whipworms in Cats

If your vet suspects your cat may have whipworms, you’ll need to bring your cat in for a visit. However, veterinarians cannot diagnose the condition with a physical exam alone.

Instead, vets rely on diagnostic tests to confirm whether or not a cat has whipworms. There are two types of tests:

• Fecal Flotation: Vets mix a cat’s feces with a sugar solution that causes parasite eggs to rise. Then they examine these eggs under a microscope to identify the parasite.
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA): Since whipworms do not constantly shed eggs, this highly-sensitive test looks for antigens (tiny particles of adult whipworms) in the feces to confirm the diagnosis.

Whipworm in Cats Treatment

There are no medications specifically approved for cat whipworm infections. However, vets often prescribe antiparasitic drugs off-label as an effective treatment.

Whipworm Medication for Cats

Fenbendazole (brand name Panacur) – Whipworms have an incredibly long lifecycle. So vets often use the “3 days, 3 weeks, 3 months” approach when prescribing this deworming medication.

First, your cat takes fenbendazole for three days to kill the adult whipworms. Then again three weeks later to kill any newly matured adult. However, the medicine does not kill larvae (immature parasites). So you must treat again three months later, after those larvae become mature adults, to ensure all the worms are gone.

“Combo” or “comprehensive” flea preventives – Some monthly flea medications contain additional ingredients that target other parasites. While many of these multi-purpose meds target only roundworms and hookworms, several contain ingredients effective against whipworm, including:

• Milbemycin oxime
• Moxidectin and imidacloprid
• Emodepside and praziquantel

General Cost

The cost of diagnosing and treating whipworms typically includes:

• Veterinary exam and fecal tests: $300–$500, depending on additional treatments for symptoms like diarrhea.
• Medication: This can range from $20-$80, depending on what your vet prescribes.

How to Prevent Whipworm in Cats

The best strategies for preventing whipworms include:

• Keeping cats indoors to minimize exposure to contaminated soil or feces.
• Using monthly parasite preventives effective against whipworms.
• Cleaning litter boxes regularly and reduce the risk of environmental contamination.

By staying vigilant and mitigating risks, you can keep your cat safe from whipworms. Though the likelihood of whipworms in cats is small, the sets you take can help guard against other intestinal parasites. And that’s a win-win for you and your cat!

References

1. Nagamori, Yoko et al. “Retrospective survey of parasitism identified in feces of client-owned cats in North America from 2007 through 2018.” Veterinary parasitology vol. 277 (2020): 109008. doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2019.109008
2. Geng, Jinming et al. “Diagnosis of feline whipworm infection using a coproantigen ELISA and the prevalence in feral cats in southern Florida.” Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports vol. 14 (2018): 181-186. doi:10.1016/j.vprsr.2018.11.002