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What worms can I get from petting and kissing a stray cat on vacation?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

hi i am on. vacation. in sint maartin and we let a stray cat into our house ive been petting it for the past 2 days and i kissed it on the head will i get the worm. ?? and what type of worm is it ?

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Answered By Sara Farmer, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on December 29th, 2018

These look the most like roundworms since they have a tapered end but it is not typical to see roundworms on the fur around the anus. Tapeworms are possible as well but are usually flat and look like granules of rice. Roundworms are transmissible to people but infect organs instead of the gastrointestinal tract, and the eggs are transmitted through the stool. It would be unusual for a person without any medical conditions causing immunocompromize to be infected with a roundworm through casual contact with a cat but you should consult your physician just in case. Tapeworms are not transmissible directly from cats to people.

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