Experts warn of tapeworm and roundworm risks in cats that could also infect humans

The microscopic pictures show the tapeworms and roundworms in all their gory detail – magnified up to 180 times. Experts say the chances of both kinds taking up residence in your feline friends is significantly increased if they're not wormed regularly.

Tapeworms, which can grow to 16 ft in dogs - roughly the height of a giraffe - hook into the lining of a pet's bowels and develop long ribbon-like bodies - with symptoms including diarrhoea, lack of energy, weight loss, and more.

On rare occasions, both tapeworms and roundworms can infect humans too – with the latter known to potentially cause serious damage to children’s eyesight. 

Hookworms average one to nearly two centimetres long, living in the digestive systems of pets. The images were released by pet worming treatment brands Drontal and Dronspot and captured by award-winning science and nature photographer, Dr David Maitland, using light, confocal, and scanning electron microscopes from his own collection and from St Andrews University.

David captured images of the samples on loan from Dr J. W. McGarry, of the University of Liverpool following research of 1,000 cat owners commissioned by the worming medication producers, which found just 23% had de-wormed their cat in the last month. And only 34% had done it in the past three months.

Daniel Thiem from the worming brands, which kill every type of intestinal worm commonly found in UK cats, said: "Just because these creatures are tiny, doesn’t mean they are harmless. Both tapeworms and roundworms are relatively common with the latter being found in one in four cats in one UK study.

“It’s important to check the risk-level of your cat and de-worm them regularly - even if your cat does not go outside or is not a hunter, they could still pick up worms. This could be from other pets in the household, worm eggs being carried on people’s shoes and from ingesting fleas while grooming, since fleas can contain tapeworm eggs.”

The study also revealed 37% do not give their cats regular de-worming medication, and 45% of those polled admit eliminating parasites from their pet is not top of their to-do list – meaning they often entirely forget to de-worm their feline friend.

This is particularly shocking considering 54% of cat owners see their pets as part of the family, yet don’t regularly factor in the safety precautions needed to protect them from these creatures.

Almost a fifth (18%) polled via OnePoll.com believe indoor cats can’t get worms and more than one in 10 (11%) don’t believe intestinal worms in cats can present a risk to people. Yet 68% admit to being squeamish at the thought of their cats having worms.

Top signs of unwelcome parasites cohabitating with their pets were identified by respondents as their cats having an itchy behind, seeing a worm or segment protruding from their feline’s rear end or on its bedding – and seeing rice-like pieces in their cat’s droppings. That being said, 29% of cat owners weren’t confident in knowing what to look for.

Daniel Thiem from Drontal, which is working with charity partner Worldwide Vet Service to donate a minimum of 5,000 doses of their product to provide relief for cats in hard-to-reach places added: “By following a regular de-worming plan you can ensure your cat and your loved ones are kept safely worm-free.

“Cat’s worms can cause illness in humans when their larvae lodge in organs such as the eyes, liver, heart, and brain - so, to be on the safe side, worm monthly.”