Tapeworm in Cats: Beyond Fleas—Rodents, Raw Meat & Environmental Sources

Fleas are the primary vector for Dipylidium caninum. Other routes:

• Hunting rodents – ingest Taenia taeniaeformis cysts.
• Raw/undercooked meat – Taenia spp., Echinococcus.
• Contaminated environment – ingest eggs from feces in soil/water.

Prevention: consistent flea control, keep cats indoors, avoid raw diets, regular deworming per vet protocol.