Cat Hookworm Infection
Hookworms are small roundworms that attach to the intestinal wall using a mouth equipped with hooks and feed on blood. They are invisible to the naked eye in stools—unlike large roundworms shaped like spaghetti, they cannot be seen. In adul...
What is it?
Hookworms are small roundworms that attach to the intestinal wall using a mouth equipped with hooks and feed on blood. They are invisible to the naked eye in stools—unlike large roundworms shaped like spaghetti, they cannot be seen. In adult cats, infection often goes unnoticed. In heavily infested kittens, blood loss can cause anemia, visible as pale gums, along with diarrhea and weight loss. Sources disagree on how common this anemia is in cats: it appears less frequent than in dogs, but remains possible in kittens.
Key point
A kitten with pale gums and weakness is an emergency: anaemia can worsen rapidly.
Commonly observed signs
These signs are neither exhaustive nor specific. Only a veterinarian can establish a diagnosis.
Related signs — each one links to its page:
Pale or even white gums and inner eyelids in heavy infections—the most telling sign. Lethargy, kittens less playful and tiring easily. Diarrhea, sometimes dark. Weight loss, poor growth, dull coat. Very dark, nearly black stools, possible but mainly described in dogs. Many adult cats show no signs at all. There is no fixed timeframe for symptoms: context matters—a pale-gummed kitten should raise concern.
When to consult without delay
This list does not replace veterinary advice. It gathers situations that justify a prompt consultation.
Causes and risk factors
Hookworms, mainly Ancylostoma tubaeforme in cats; other species are rarer. Eggs are shed in feces, hatch in soil, and release larvae that contaminate other animals. Warm climates and moist soil promote larval survival.
Kittens.
Cats with outdoor access, especially on warm, humid ground, or those that hunt.
Lack of regular worming.
Living in groups with shared litter boxes or outdoor spaces.
Transmission
Ingestion of larvae on soil, grass, or soiled fur. Larval penetration through the skin, particularly through the paw pads. Ingestion of prey animals, especially rodents, carrying larvae. An infected cat contaminates its environment through its feces; larvae can also reach humans through skin contact with contaminated soil.
Diagnosis and care
Diagnosis is the veterinarian's responsibility, based on clinical examination and laboratory tests. Care is decided case by case.
The veterinarian examines the gums and assesses the kitten's overall condition.
Diagnosis is based on a faecal analysis that reveals eggs under the microscope.
In a pale kitten, a blood test measures the degree of anaemia.
Other causes of anaemia are considered, particularly in adults: blood disorders, parasites transmitted by fleas.
The veterinarian also checks for other intestinal worms, which are often present at the same time.
Treatment
A wormer active against hookworms is prescribed by the veterinarian, with one or more doses depending on the product and the situation.
A severely anaemic kitten may need hospitalisation, supportive care, and sometimes a blood transfusion.
High-quality food helps the kitten rebuild its blood.
All animals in the household are treated on the veterinarian's advice, and the environment is cleaned to limit reinfection.
Treatment depends on the cause and the animal's condition: it must be determined by a veterinarian. No self-medication.
Prevention
Worm your cat regularly at intervals suited to its age and lifestyle, following your veterinarian's advice. Kittens require more frequent treatments.
Remove faeces promptly from the litter box and garden.
Cover children's sandboxes when not in use.
Have a faecal analysis done on newly adopted kittens.
Possible complications
Severe anaemia in heavily infested kittens, which can be life-threatening.
Persistent growth delay.
Weakened resistance to other infections.
In humans, skin lesions caused by larvae.
When to see a veterinarian
Your kitten has white or very pale gums and appears weak: seek emergency care.
He or she has diarrhea, is losing weight, or is not growing as expected.
He or she tires unusually quickly.
His or her stools have become very dark or black.
He or she has never been treated for worms.
Transmission to humans
Larvae of certain hookworms found in cats can penetrate human skin through contact with soil or sand contaminated by cat feces—for example, when walking barefoot or playing in a sandbox. They cause winding skin lesions that itch, known as cutaneous larva migrans. They do not develop into adult worms in humans.
The risk is easily controlled: regular worming of your cat, prompt removal of feces, covered sandboxes, wearing shoes in gardens where cats roam, and washing hands after gardening or changing the litter box.
Children, who often play on the ground and in sand, are most at risk: teach them to wash their hands.
As with any zoonosis, pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals can have someone else handle the litter box or wear gloves.
If you notice a winding, itchy skin lesion, consult a doctor and mention that you have a cat.
Prognosis
In adult cats, the infection is easily treated and the outlook is excellent.
In severely anemic kittens, the outlook depends on how quickly treatment is given: when treated promptly, recovery is generally good.
Frequently asked questions
I don't see any worms in my kitten's feces, can my kitten still have hookworms?
Yes. Hookworms are too small to be seen with the naked eye. Only microscopic stool analysis makes it possible to detect them.
Hookworms or roundworms: how to tell the difference?
Roundworms are sometimes seen in stools or vomit, like spaghetti, and cause a potbelly, but rarely marked anemia. Hookworms are invisible and, in heavily infested kittens, can make the gums pale.
How to check if your kitten's gums are pale?
Gently lift their lip in daylight. Normal gums are pink. White or very pale gums warrant urgent medical consultation.
Are my children at risk of anything?
The risk is mainly present when walking barefoot or playing in sand contaminated by faeces. Worming the cat, picking up faeces, covering the sandbox and washing your hands are sufficient to greatly reduce it.
References
ESCCAP — European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites
Content reviewed by the TunisieVet editorial team · Updated 30 October 2026
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