Tapeworm Infection in Cats What are tapeworms? Tapeworms are
intestinal parasites of the cat and dog. They are classified as
cestodes. They belong to a different family than hookworms and
roundworms, which are the other common intestinal parasites of
dogs and cats. Several types of tapeworms are known to infect
cats. Dipylidium caninum is by far the most common species
observed in cats. The tapeworm uses its hook-like mouthparts for
anchoring to the wall of the small intestine. Eventually, adult
tapeworms may reach several inches in length. As the adult
matures, individual segments called proglottids break off from
the main body of the tapeworm and pass into the cat's feces. Are
certain cats more likely to get Dipylidium caninum tapeworms?
"Fleas are the intermediate host for Dipylidium caninum." Fleas
are the intermediate host for Dipylidium caninum. In other
words, the tapeworm is unable to complete its life cycle without
the presence of fleas in the environment. Regardless of whether
the owner may have see