Toxocara cati in cats – signs and vet treatment

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: International Cat Care (iCatCare)

Book a vet visit

Book a vet appointment if you think your cat has this – a vet needs to confirm it and plan the treatment. It is an intestinal roundworm parasite that can affect cats.

What to do now

What you can do now

  1. Contact your vet
  2. Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see
  3. Take a photo or short video to show the vet
  4. Keep fresh water available
  5. Let your cat rest somewhere calm

Don't

  • Do not give any human medicine
  • Do not wait if it gets worse

What it is

Toxocara cati is an intestinal parasite in cats.[1] Roundworms, particularly Toxocara cati, are common in cats of all ages throughout the world.[1]

Signs

  • Variable or complete lack of appetite
  • Vomiting, especially after feeding
  • Diarrhoea alternating with constipation
  • Poor growth and thin body condition

How a vet finds out

  • Physical examination
  • The vet may suspect Toxocara cati based on your cat’s signs and worming status
  • A faeces sample may be examined under a microscope for worm eggs
  • Worms may occasionally be identified in vomit or faeces

What the experts say

“Variable or complete lack of appetite ; Vomiting (especially after feeding) ; Diarrhoea, alternating with constipation ; Poor growth and thin body condition”

— International Cat Care (iCatCare) [1]
If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

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Common questions

What signs can Toxocara cati cause in cats?

Signs can include variable or complete lack of appetite, vomiting especially after feeding, diarrhoea alternating with constipation, and poor growth with a thin body condition.[1]

How does a vet check for Toxocara cati?

A vet may assess your cat’s signs and worming status, carry out a physical examination, and examine a faeces sample under a microscope for worm eggs. Worms may occasionally be identified in vomit or faeces.[1]

How common is Toxocara cati in cats?

Roundworms, particularly Toxocara cati, are common in cats of all ages throughout the world.[1]

Sources

  1. International Cat Care (iCatCare)

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages

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