My Cat Has Worms, How Do I Clean My House? Step-By-Step Guide

Although having a cat can bring endless joy, play, and cuddles, there are always unpleasant parts of being a cat owner, like when you ask ‘’My Cat Has Worms, How Do I Clean My House?’’. In such a case, you must be aware of the necessary actions to prevent it from happening, including cleaning the residence.

However, where should you start, and how can you clean your cat in a way that will prevent reinfection?  Here, we review the best ways to clean and keep worms out of your cat’s system forever!

How Do Cats Get Worms?

It is no hidden fact that dealing with the issue of ‘My cat has worms, how do I clean my house?’ can be challenging for any pet owner. Cats that are outside are more likely to contract worms, but indoor cats can also become infected. If cats come into contact with infected areas, they may get worms. Grooming can lead to infection if eggs stick to their fur or paws.

Indoor cats in multi-cat homes, sharing a litter box with contaminated feces, are also at risk. Outdoor cats hunting rodents may get infected if the prey has worms.

Some cats can get worms from dog poop with specific worm types. Fleas can also bring tapeworms to indoor cats if they ingest fleas while grooming.

If you’re wondering, “Can I get worms from my cat sleeping in my bed?“—it’s an important question. While direct contract of worms from your cat in this manner is low, but regular vet check-ups and maintaining good hygiene practices is essential to ensure the health and well-being of both you and your cat.

What Are The Signs Of Worms?

To address the problem that ‘My cat has worms, how do I clean my house?’ you first need to observe the signs that indicate the presence of worms in your cat. You can look out for the following symptoms of worms in your cat.

Vomiting

Cats with worms may vomit, and you may sometimes see worms in the vomit. 

Diarrhea

Worms can lead to changes in your cat’s stool, such as diarrhea or bloody stools.

Weight Loss

Worms can deprive your cat of essential nutrients, leading to weight loss.

Cat’s Fur

Usually, a cat’s fur looks shiny. If it appears flat or dull, it can mean a worm infection. This loss of shine is a sign of poor food absorption and dehydration due to illness.

Swollen Abdomen

Some cats with a heavy worm burden may have a swollen belly. This might not be common to all cats, but in most cases, you’ll be able to notice it. 

Visible Signs of Discomfort 

Worms can cause discomfort, so watch for signs like scooting their rear on the floor.

Lethargy

Infected cats may show reduced activity and seem more sluggish than their typical calm behavior. However, it’s important not to confuse this lethargy with their natural tendency to sleep frequently.

Visible Worms 

You may sometimes see worms in your cat’s fur near the rear end or in their feces. You should also look for the presence of maggots in cat litter. 

Cat’s Gums

A healthy cat’s gums should be pink, just like ours. If they’re white or pale, it may indicate anemia, often caused by a parasite infection. 

To check, place your cat next to you, lift its head, and raise its top lip to reveal the gums. If you see pale gums, consult your vet promptly.

Change in Appetite 

A cat with worms might have changes in their eating habits like increased or decreased appetite.

In severe and untreated cases of worm infestation, you might rarely observe signs like dehydration, anemia, pale gums and lips, weakness, low blood pressure, shock, and, if left unaddressed, even the risk of death. If you own a Silver Bengal cat, it’s also essential to be aware of common health issues they may face. Check out our detailed article on the 10 common health issues of Silver Bengal cats.

General Treatment Of Worms

To treat worms in your cat, visit the vet for a specific deworming medication. The treatment type depends on the worm species, like hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms, or heartworms. Also, learning how to clean a house that had cats is essential for maintaining a fresh and hygienic living space.

While over-the-counter dewormers are available, it’s safer to consult the vet to ensure the correct treatment for your cat.

My Cat Has Worms, How Do I Clean My House?

Dealing with the question, “My Cat Has Worms, How Do I Clean My House?” requires a thorough and systematic cleaning process.

Our team of experts has jolted down the following practical strategies to keep your house worm-free. 

1. Safety First

Make sure you stay safe while cleaning up after your cat. Wear rubber gloves, and if possible, use disposable aprons and masks. 

Using disposable protective gear is best, especially when dealing with contagious parasites, as you can simply throw everything away after you’re done.

2. Cleaning The Litter Box

Begin with the litter box, as worm eggs often appear in feces, which is how pets contract them. It’s essential to deworm your cat first. Removing the source of the eggs minimizes the risk of reinfection. 

During this process, clean your cat’s litter box daily, especially after using it, to prevent them from stepping in again. Empty the tray and use bleach disinfectant spray to clean it, ensuring a thorough rinse. 

Wear rubber gloves and a disposable mask while cleaning, which you can dispose of afterward.

3. Clean Up The Accidents

Diarrhea and vomiting are common signs of cats with worms. It’s crucial to clean up these accidents promptly. You’ll usually find worms and their eggs in the stool, but in severe cases, worms can also be in the vomit. Handle these with care.

Soak up as much as possible on hard surfaces with tissue or paper towels. Use hot water and detergent to clean, followed by disinfectant. 

Cleaning carpets is trickier. Wipe up what you can, steam clean, and use a carpet cleaner following the instructions. Avoid using concentrated cleaner, which can harm the floor. Consider an enzymatic cleaner that truly removes odors rather than masking them. Repeat as necessary.

4. Clean the food bowls

Use hot, soapy water to clean your cat’s food and water dishes, then give them a hot rinse. To disinfect, use a small amount of hydrogen peroxide or vinegar. After letting it sit for five minutes, thoroughly wash it under hot water.

5. Washing Your Cat’s Bedding

You should wash your cat’s bed and any blankets it may have. Wash the fabric in hot, soapy water in your washing machine, and then set the drying temperature to high.

Washing every day for two to three weeks or until the worm threat has subsided could be necessary. Keep your cat in one place during this time.

6. Cleaning Hard Surfaces

In addition to cleaning your cat’s mess, cleaning up all hard surfaces in your home thoroughly is essential. Worm eggs can stick to your cat’s fur and be transferred to different areas in your home. Focus on the places your cat frequently sits. 

Depending on your flooring type, you can use a mixture of boiling water and detergent for cleaning or opt for an enzymatic cleaner or disinfectant spray.

7. Cleaning The Outdoors

In addition to cleaning the house after worms, you should tidy your cat’s play area outside. Avoid using a pressure washer to spray water on surfaces infected with tapeworms or other parasites; this will probably increase the infection rather than cure it. 

Use a bleach solution and a sprayer or power washer to clean concrete and other solid surfaces.

8. Cleaning The Tools

After completing the previous steps, the final task is to disinfect all the tools you used in the process, including your vacuum, steam cleaner, and the boots you wore while cleaning. Wipe them with boiling water using disposable paper towels. 

Using as many disposable tools as possible, like gloves, aprons, and clothes, is best to ensure no worms remain in your home. 

When disposing of these items, place them in a garbage bag, then double-bag it for extra safety. Take this garbage to a landfill or skip to keep the infection source as far away as possible.

A Worm-Free Tomorrow: Cat Infection Prevention

Cleaning your home to eliminate worms is a task that can’t be done daily, so it’s vital to prevent future worm problems for your cat and your well-being. You can take these steps to avoid this issue in the future.

Keep Your Cat Indoors

Worms are more common in outdoor cats, so keep your cat inside. To keep your cat inside, you can provide it with toys that will keep it entertained. 

Supervise Your Outdoor Cat

If your cat goes outside, ensure your yard is secure and keep an eye on them to prevent them from eating birds and rodents that may carry parasites.

Litter Box Cleaning

Regularly clean the litter box because left-over-infested feces can harbor fleas and mites, which can carry more worms. Make sure you empty, clean, and restock the litter box once a week and scoop their waste daily.

Moreover, maggots in cat litter can be a health concern for your cat, as they may carry diseases, so maintaining a clean litter box is crucial.

Avoid Raw Diets

Don’t feed your cat raw meat because it can transmit parasites. Use quality cat food; you can also go for homemade cat food, which is more healthy. 

Preventative Medication

Give your cat preventative medication for fleas, worms, and heartworms, especially if they go outside. Talk to your vet about this. Cats should be dewormed at least four times a year.

Control Rodents

Addressing the query, “My cat has worms, how do I clean my house thoroughly to prevent any further infestation?” demands a comprehensive approach and thorough remedies. Eliminating rodents or rats is a part of that. Rats are a common source of intestinal parasites, so take steps to control them around your home.

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