What Roundworm Infects Cats Only?

The scientific name for the roundworm that infect cats is Toxocara cati. Another less common roundworm, Toxascaris leonina, can infect both dogs and cats. Roundworms are also known as ascarids and the disease they cause is called ascariasis.

What kind of roundworm do cats get?

There are two species of roundworms that infect cats; Toxocara cati and Toxascara leonina. Both are round, up to four inches long, and white to pale brown in color (they look similar to spaghetti noodles). Toxocara cati can also cause health problems in humans.

Can round worm spread to other cats?

Roundworm eggs are passed in the poop of infected cats and other wildlife and can lay dormant in soil, sand pits and litter boxes. These eggs can then spread to other cats if ingested while sniffing around in infected soil, plants or stool.