Tapeworms are flat, segmented worms that reside in certain animals’ intestines. When animals graze in meadows or drink polluted water, they might become infected with these parasites. They are not related to other intestinal parasites like hookworms and roundworms, the most widespread intestinal parasites in cats and dogs.

Silky Terrier Dog Breed Playing Aro... Silky Terrier Dog Breed Playing Around

A common source of tapeworm infection in humans is eating raw or undercooked meat from infected animals. Children are more vulnerable to this since they are more likely to play outside in the grass, parks, and other locations where dog feces may be present. Although tapeworms in people typically cause minimal symptoms and are readily treated, they can occasionally create significant, life-threatening complications. 

What Tapeworms Look Like

Adults tapeworms are ribbon-shaped, multisegmented hermaphroditic flatworms with a whole male and female reproductive system, which develop sexually in the definitive or final host. They have bilateral symmetry, which means that the right side and the left sides are similar. Some are made up of a single lengthy segment, while others have a distinct head followed by a sequence of equal segments known as proglottids. 

The suckers and hooks on the head are utilized for attachment to the victim. The body covering is a strong cuticle that allows food to be absorbed. There is no mouth, nor is there a stomach system. It attaches itself to the small intestinal wall using hook-like mouthparts. 

Adult tapeworms can grow to be up to 11″ long. Individual segments of the adult tapeworm will eventually break off from the main body of the tapeworm and travel through the cat’s feces. The segments are roughly 1/2″ (12 mm) long and 1/8″ (3 mm) broad, like rice grains or cucumber seeds. Tapeworms or their segments may be seen in the feces if passed along with a bowel movement.