When purchasing dry cat food, be on the lookout for small white worms. These are often caused by either meal moth or flour beetle larvae feeding on grains in your cat’s food.
Cats generally don’t get sick from eating these insects, but they may cause diarrhoea and vomiting if ingested. If you spot any of these pests on your bag of cat food, immediately return it to the retailer.
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Tapeworms
Tapeworms can be found in many types of cat food and typically appear as small white worms that look cream-colored and approximately the size of a grain of rice.
One way to detect whether your cat has tapeworms is by checking their feces regularly. If there are many faecal deposits in their anus or they appear to be licking it frequently, this could be an indication that they have tapeworms.
Another indication that your cat may have tapeworms is increased vomiting frequency. Vomiting is normal for cats, but if it occurs more than once a week, call your vet immediately.
You may have noticed your cat losing weight more rapidly than usual. This could be an indication of a parasitic worm infestation, which if left untreated could result in severe dehydration.
Roundworms
Small white worms, commonly referred to as tapeworms, are intestinal parasites commonly found in cats and other animals. These worms typically measure three to five inches long and cream in color and live within the host’s stomach (cat).
Kittens are particularly vulnerable to roundworm infections because they can acquire them from their mothers through breastmilk or by eating other mammals or insects that have ingested roundworm eggs.
A veterinarian can tell if your cat has a roundworm infection by performing a fecal examination. This involves mixing some stool in an acid solution that causes the eggs to float to the top.
Your veterinarian then carefully examines the sample under a microscope to detect whether it contains roundworm eggs. If so, they may prescribe an effective treatment for eliminating both adult worms and their larvae.
Flour Beetles
Small white worms often found in cat food can be identified as either confused flour beetles or red flour beetles. Both species cause a nuisance in the kitchen and should be eradicated by discarding all affected items.
These beetles are not harmful to humans, but they can contaminate and damage stored food items. Furthermore, they produce unpleasant odors and promote the growth of molds.
Make a habit of inspecting and cleaning your pantry regularly. Pay special attention to any hidden areas around appliances, then vacuum everything thoroughly.
Store all dry grain products, such as flour, in airtight containers to protect them from flour beetles. Flour beetles prefer feeding on grains such as cake mixes, biscuit mixes, spices, powdered milk, nutmeats, cornmeal and crackers; make sure all these items are stored away from moisture and airborne particles.
Other Insects
Some cat foods contain small white worms. These parasites can be a source of disease for cats and dogs alike.
Some worms may be infected with Salmonella enteritidis or E. coli bacteria, leading to fever, diarrhea and vomiting in humans and animals alike.
Alternatively, some insects can become infested with maggots. This could result in an allergic reaction in cats.
Insect-based pet food offers the potential to be an excellent sustainable source of proteins for pet owners. Not only does it save pet parents money on vet bills, but it’s less environmentally damaging than typical factory farming methods.
But more research is necessary before this type of food becomes widely accepted. Many pet parents are worried about potential long-term health risks with insect-based pet food, however.
