My Cat Has Worms How Do I Clean My House?

Worms are internal parasites that are common in cats. When your pet roams around, it can get worms. Do not worry because a worm infestation is quick to resolve with the help of proper medication.

However, it can produce specific unpleasant effects. Cats with worms may develop irritation of their sensitive hindquarters, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Even well-trained cats may miss the litter-box in such situations, and the cleaning process becomes difficult for the owner. It is hard to get rid of the lingering odors and unpleasant stains.

My Cat Has Worms. How Do I Clean My House?

To clean up your house, use towels, and enzymatic cleaners. Use newspapers to collect the waste and rinse the spoiled area with hot water. You can also use detergent if it is necessary to remove stains.

To eliminate the stains and unpleasant odors, use an enzymatic cleaner. It is always nasty to deal with pet waste, so grab your gloves, plastic bags, and a lot of newspapers. Kitchen paper is also best for this job as it will not disintegrate and shed fibers.

1. Remove the solid waste

Corral your cat in the bathroom if she is suffering from stomach issues. Do this as much as possible until she gets recovered. It will not only give her a quieter place but will also let her clean better.

Remove as much solid waste as possible with paper towels. Scrape it with the help of a dustpan if the waste is watery or loose. Suppose it is fully liquid, blot via a towel. This part is the most unpleasant one.


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2. Follow the care instructions of your floor

The next step of cleaning depends on your surface. If the floor is other than tiles or a waterproof floor covering, carefully follow all the instructions.

In most cases, it will be best to work on the soiled areas with detergent and hot water. Cleaning a hard surface is hassle-free than cleaning carpets, rugs, and furniture.

You can use products like carpet-cleaning fluids. Never use any cleanser in excess as it may change the color of fabrics and carpets.

Read the directions for a particular fabric before taking any action. You can also use a plain detergent if a carpet cleaner is unavailable. Use warm water to rinse away all the detergent from the carpet.

3. Cleaning furniture

You can remove the furniture covers and cushions and wash them separately. Laundering the cushions and covers must be considered after cleaning the initial mess.

You can also get it done professionally to remove stains and odor. Nasty smells may stick around when washed at home, even with the addition of disinfectant.

Disinfectants do kill germs, but they cannot mask the odor permanently. An enzymatic cleaner is a substitute.

It will break down the complex odor-producing compounds into simpler ones, making the cleaning process effective. Cats can spread worms to other pets in the house, so it is significant to disinfect all the areas she has sat on.


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Do I need to clean my house if my cat has worms?

Yes, you need to clean your house if your cat has worms. First, get your cat cured and then sanitize your entire living place. Cats can develop tapeworms by eating fleas. The following steps will be helpful in cleaning if your cat has worms.

1. Remove the source of tapeworms

De-flea your house if there is a dewormer in your cat. Although it does not guarantee any future infections, it is a good start.

Give your cat a thorough bath and also flea medications if required. Fleas, rats, and other intermediates are the common means for worms. Use all means to eliminate flea sources in your house.

2. Clean your house

Cleaning does not stop at wiping the affected areas. Your cat’s intestine is home to worms, and segments of them can break off to infect other parts of the body.

These segments travel out of the body with the feces and lay eggs, producing more worms.

Clean and dispose of this waste as quickly as possible. Clean every area of the house that your cat has been to. Cats can also carry eggs of worms in paws and under claws. So clean them thoroughly.

3. Cleaning the litter

We recommend cleaning the litter box of your cat after a bowel movement. Put the poop in a bag, tie it properly, and dispose of it.

4. Cleaning the outdoor areas

Most cat owners think that cleaning the inside of the house is sufficient. But cleaning outside areas like the garden and backyard where your cat spends the most of her time is equally important.

Do not clean these areas by sprinkling water with a hosepipe, as this can spread the infestation rather than remove it. Spray the solid surfaces with a bleach solution using a power washer.


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Can cat worms live on carpet?

Yes, a variety of cat worms can live on the carpet. Roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, and whipworms can survive on the carpet. The eggs of worms can live in the carpets for a longer duration.

Vacuum the carpets regularly to prevent worms and steam the carpets to kill eggs.

A common sign of worms on the carpet is your cat scooting on it. Almost all species of parasite worms can live on carpets. Some survive well, while some cannot live for an extended period. Eggs cannot hatch on carpets, but mature parasites can exist there.

Can cat worms live in bedding?

Yes, you may get worms from your cat if she sleeps on the same bed. Although it is unlikely, close contact with your cat may transfer worms to you. Worms grow from parasite eggs that can get transmitted to humans. You will get infected if you only ingest the oocytes.

If you get in close contact with your cat, your chances of contracting worms are higher. You can accidentally eat the oocytes if your cat transfers them to your bedding.

These eggs are present on the cat’s fur and may get transferred to your hand when you pet her. It increases your chances of ingesting them.

We understand that it is lovely to curl up with your pet in the bed. But we discourage this practice when the cat has worms. It is due to when you are in bed with them, it is easy for you to get worms.

Can tapeworms live on furniture?

Yes, tapeworms can live on furniture. They can live on surfaces for up to three weeks. They can survive outside for months while waiting for a host to come along. These worms spread in your cat from feces to mouth. Anything contaminated with eggs like toys, mats, bedsheets, and furniture can cause an infection.

Once inside the cat’s body, the tapeworm head attaches to the intestine wall. It uses the food that the cat eats to grow new segments.

The older parts break and leave the body with the poop. The feces contain eggs that can lead to the production of more tapeworms. These worms are very easy to spread throughout the cat’s body.

Final Words

When you see worms in your cat, do not grab any packet of dewormer from a pet shop and give it to your cat. Medicines that you will buy from a pet shop may not be as effective as those to get from a vet.

These medicines may be expensive but are vital for the effective treatment of your cat.

Take your cat to a vet immediately when you spot symptoms of worms. It is not only about deworming your cat. Worms can make your cat physically weak, and only a veterinarian can address these issues.

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