How do cats get infected with cucumber tapeworm? - briefly
Cats typically become infected with cucumber tapeworm by ingesting fleas or lice that carry the parasite, often during grooming or while hunting small animals.
How do cats get infected with cucumber tapeworm? - in detail
Cats become infected with cucumber tapeworm, scientifically known as Dipylidium caninum, primarily through the ingestion of infected fleas. This parasitic infection begins when a cat ingests a flea that harbors the larval stage of the tapeworm, known as a cysticercoid. Fleas become infected with the tapeworm larvae by consuming tapeworm eggs found in the environment, often in areas contaminated with the feces of infected animals. When a cat grooms itself, it may inadvertently swallow an infected flea, allowing the tapeworm larvae to develop into adult worms within the cat’s small intestine. These adult tapeworms can grow to several centimeters in length and produce segments, called proglottids, which are filled with eggs. These segments are passed in the cat’s feces, continuing the life cycle of the parasite. Cats living in environments with poor flea control or those that have access to areas frequented by other infected animals are at higher risk of contracting cucumber tapeworm. Regular flea prevention and maintaining a clean living environment are essential to minimize the risk of infection.