Kittens with worms often show a mix of digestive, weight, and coat changes, but the only way to know for sure is for a vet to check a stool sample.

Common signs to watch for

• Visible worms or “rice-like” segments in poop, on the anus, in the litter box, or on bedding.

• Diarrhea, soft stool, or stool with mucus or blood, sometimes with actual worms in it.

• Vomiting, which may occasionally contain worms.

• A pot-bellied or bloated tummy, especially on an otherwise thin kitten.

• Scooting, licking, or biting at the rear end because it feels itchy or irritated.

Changes in health and behavior

• Weight loss or failure to gain weight despite eating normally, or a sudden change in appetite (more or less food than usual).

• Dull, rough, or poor-quality coat instead of a soft, shiny one.

• Low energy, weakness, or lethargy instead of normal playful kitten behavior.

• Pale gums or severe tiredness in heavy hookworm infections, due to blood loss.

How to confirm and what to do

The most reliable way to know if your kitten has worms is to take them to a veterinarian with a fresh stool sample from the litter box, so the vet can test it for worm eggs or antigens. Even if you are not sure, kittens are commonly dewormed on a schedule, so a vet may recommend deworming based on age, risk, and any symptoms you see.

When it’s urgent

Contact a vet as soon as possible, or an emergency clinic if needed, if your kitten has repeated vomiting or diarrhea, blood in stool, is very lethargic, has trouble breathing, or looks extremely bloated or weak, because heavy worm burdens in kittens can quickly become life-threatening. Avoid using over-the- counter dewormers without veterinary guidance, since using the wrong drug or dose can be ineffective or unsafe for a young kitten.