You’re staring at the back of your cat. Maybe they just jumped off your lap, or perhaps they’re mid-groom on the rug, and you see it. A tiny, cream-colored wiggle. It looks exactly like a grain of white rice that somehow grew a mind of its own. Your stomach drops. Honestly, it's one of those "I can't unsee this" moments for every cat owner. If you’ve been scouring the internet for pics of tapeworms in cats to confirm your suspicions, you’ve probably seen a mix of blurry forum photos and clinical textbook shots that don't quite match the reality of what's happening on your sofa.
The reality is simple: your cat probably has Dipylidium caninum.
That's the scientific name for the most common flea-tapeworm. It isn't just one long, singular worm living a solitary life; it’s a segmented nightmare. Each of those little "grains" you see is a proglottid. Think of it like a train car full of eggs. When the car uncouples from the main body, it crawls out of the cat’s system to spread the joy elsewhere. It’s deeply unsettling. But it’s also incredibly common.
What those pics of tapeworms in cats are actually showing you
When you look at photos online, you’ll notice two distinct forms. There’s the "fresh" version and the "dried" version. Fresh proglottids are moist. They move. They can stretch and contract, which is why they sometimes look like tiny maggots. If you find one that’s been out in the air for a few hours, it turns into a hard, yellow-gold speck. At that point, it looks more like a sesame seed.
Most people don't see the whole worm. Ever.
The actual worm stays anchored to the small intestine using a structure called a scolex, which is basically a head equipped with hooks and suckers. It’s a literal parasite. It just hangs out there, absorbing nutrients through its skin—because it doesn't even have a mouth—and pumping out segments. Those segments are what end up in the fur around the tail or in the litter box. If you were to see the entire thing stretched out, it could be eight inches long. Or longer. But the images that usually freak people out are the close-ups of the segments because that’s what we find on our bedding.
The flea connection is the part everyone misses
You can’t talk about tapeworms without talking about fleas. It's a biological cycle that feels like a prank. A flea larva eats a tapeworm egg. The egg develops inside the flea. Your cat, being a fastidious groomer, licks themselves, swallows the infected flea, and boom—now they have a tapeworm.
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You might think your cat doesn't have fleas. You’ve checked. You’ve used a comb. You haven't seen a single bite on your own ankles. It doesn't matter. It only takes one flea. Cats are so good at grooming that they often swallow the evidence before you ever see it. Dr. Hanie Elfenbein, a noted veterinarian, often points out that tapeworms are basically a "diagnostic indicator" for fleas. If you see the worm, the fleas are there, or were there very recently.
Why your cat doesn't seem "sick" even with a parasite
It’s a misconception that a cat with tapeworms will be skin and bones.
In a healthy adult cat, a tapeworm infection is usually pretty low-key, symptoms-wise. They might have a slightly duller coat. They might be a bit hungrier than usual. Some cats get "scooty"—that's the technical-adjacent term for dragging their butt across the carpet because those crawling segments are itchy. But for the most part, the cat feels fine. It’s the humans who are traumatized.
The danger is higher for kittens. Since kittens are smaller, a heavy worm burden can actually lead to stunted growth or intestinal blockages. In those cases, you might see a "pot-bellied" appearance, which is a classic sign of a high parasite load. But for your average three-year-old tabby? The only symptom is usually the physical presence of the segments.
Seeing "spaghetti" vs seeing "rice"
If you are looking at your cat’s vomit and you see something that looks like long, thin spaghetti, you aren't looking at a tapeworm. That’s a roundworm (Toxocara cati).
People get them confused all the time. Roundworms are smooth and round. Tapeworms are flat and segmented. It’s rare for a cat to throw up a tapeworm unless the infection is massive. Usually, tapeworms go out the "back door." If you see a long, flat, ribbon-like structure in the vomit, then yes, that’s a tapeworm, and it means the cat’s small intestine is getting pretty crowded.
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How to actually get rid of them without losing your mind
You cannot "starve" a tapeworm out. You cannot use "natural" remedies like pumpkin seeds or garlic to fix this. In fact, garlic is toxic to cats and can cause Heinz body anemia. Don't do it.
The gold standard for treatment is a drug called Praziquantel. It works by essentially dissolving the worm’s skin. The worm loses its ability to resist the cat's digestive enzymes, and the cat’s body just digests the worm. This is why you don’t usually see a "giant dead worm" come out after treatment. It just disappears.
You can get Praziquantel over the counter now—brands like Elanco (formerly Bayer) sell it as Tapeworm Dewormer—or your vet can give a quick injection. The injection is often better for cats that are impossible to pill.
But here is the catch.
If you kill the worm but don't kill the fleas, the worm will be back in three weeks. It’s a cycle. You have to use a high-quality, vet-approved flea preventative like Revolution Plus, Bravecto, or Cheristin. The cheap grocery store flea collars? They’re basically scented jewelry. They don’t work for this. You have to treat the environment too. Vacuum everything. Wash the bedding in hot water.
Can you catch it?
This is the question everyone is afraid to ask. Technically, yes, humans can get Dipylidium caninum. But—and this is a big "but"—you have to swallow an infected flea to get it.
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You don't get tapeworms from your cat licking your face. You don't get them from petting the cat. You get them by accidentally ingesting a flea that is carrying the parasite. This happens occasionally with toddlers who are crawling on floors where fleas are present, but it’s quite rare for adults. Even if it happens, the treatment for humans is the same drug (Praziquantel) and it's very effective. So, breathe. You aren't going to turn into a host just because your cat slept on your pillow.
Actionable steps for a worm-free house
If you’ve just confirmed what you saw matches the pics of tapeworms in cats you found online, don't panic. Just follow this specific sequence:
- Dose the cat with Praziquantel immediately. Whether it’s the pill or the shot, get the medicine into their system. This stops the "shedding" of segments within 24 hours.
- Start a rigorous flea protocol. Apply a topical flea treatment to every pet in the house, not just the one you saw the worm on. If the cat has it, the dog likely has the fleas too.
- Deep clean the "hot spots." Focus on where the cat sleeps. Vacuum the crevices of the sofa and the edges of the baseboards. This is where flea eggs and tapeworm proglottids hide.
- Monitor the poop. For the next two weeks, keep an eye on the litter box. You shouldn't see any movement after the first 48 hours. If you do, it means there’s a massive flea infestation in the house that is re-infecting the cat instantly.
- Repeat flea treatment monthly. This is the only way to break the life cycle. Most flea eggs take weeks to hatch, so one treatment isn't enough to clear a house.
Tapeworms are a gross part of pet ownership, but they are a solvable one. Once you've seen the "crawling rice," you'll never forget it, but with the right meds, it's a short-lived problem. Take the cat to the vet if you're unsure, or grab the specific tapeworm-targeted tablets from a reputable pet supply store to handle it at home.
Just remember: if you see the worm, look for the flea. They are a package deal. Stop the flea, and you stop the worm. Simple as that.
Next Steps
- Check your cat’s bedding for "sesame seed" lookalikes.
- Purchase a Praziquantel-based dewormer.
- Apply a vet-grade flea preventative to all household pets.
- Vacuum and launder all pet-accessible fabrics.