Can your cat give you worms?

Cats can pass hookworms and roundworms. Tapeworms may also pass to humans from cats, although it is not the most common form of transmission for the tapeworm.

Both hookworms and roundworms are common in cats, especially in kittens. Cats pass the worms through their stools, and humans pick them up through the skin, generally by walking barefoot. Very young children may inadvertently consume worms eggs. Washing hands after touching cats, deworming cats and wearing shoes around cats reduce the risk of transmission.

Tapeworms are more commonly contracted by eating contaminated meat, but accidentally swallowing a flea infected with the larvae of a tapeworm is also possible.