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My cat has worms that look like rice grains. What should I do?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Longhair | Male | neutered | 15 lbs

I just noticed worms near my cats butt.. Everywhere he has laid looks like rice grains ir sesame seeds. What over the counter dewormer do i get..

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on March 24th, 2018

It sounds like from your description of Snoizir's worms that he has tapeworms. That requires praziquantel to treat, and it is only available by prescription only from the vet. You will need to take him into the vet to confirm he has tapeworms, and the vet will prescribe the medication needed to kill them. I recommend asking for Drontal, it's an excellent dewormer that contains praziquantel. Best of luck!

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    Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on December 4th, 2018

    The rice grain type worm you saw was a tape worm proglottid, i.e. part of the tapeworm that contains eggs. The actual tapeworm is still in your kitty. Tapeworm are transmitted via fleas, usually fleas from mice your cat catches. So you will need to do two things to get rid of tape worms: 1) treat all your cats with a cat wormer that contains praziquantel. You can get this at a pet shop or at your vet's. 2) Unfortunately fleas only hop on the body of your pet when they want to feed, then they hop off again and stay in your pet's environment. So you need to treat all pets in the household as well as the environment (which contains the fleas, their eggs and larvae). Flea treatment:  1) Get some flea medication such as a Flea spray or a spot on from a pet shop or your veterinarian and apply monthly 2) get flea powder, put some in your vacuum cleaner bag and vacuum your house and furniture and also non-carpeted areas frequently to remove flea larvae and eggs which live off house dust., Dispose of the bag in the trash outside. Hot-wash all the pet's bedding, If you do this diligently for a few months you will get rid of the fleas. Flea products: Spot-ons and/or chews Advantage, Advantix Advantage Multi (Advocate in the UK) Frontline (ticks as well) Bravecto spot on (ticks as well) - for cats, in tablet form for dogs Simparica, Nexgard Revolution (stronghold in the UK) Tablets: comfortis (will only kill fleas once) Collar: Seresto (ticks as well) House spray: Indorex

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