Can Cats Get Heartworm? What Owners Should Know
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Heartworm isn't just a dog problem. Here's what every cat owner should know — because for cats, prevention is the only protection.
Yes, cats get heartworm
Cats can absolutely get heartworm from an infected mosquito bite. It's less common than in dogs, but far more serious in one key way: there is no approved treatment for heartworm in cats.
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Why it's so dangerous for cats
Even a few worms — or the immune reaction to them — can cause severe lung disease or sudden death in cats. Because there's no cure, prevention is the only real protection.
Signs are easy to miss
Symptoms can mimic asthma or other conditions: coughing, wheezing, vomiting, lethargy, or weight loss. Some cats show no signs until a crisis. This subtlety makes prevention even more important.
Prevention for cats
Monthly preventives made for cats protect against heartworm, and many also cover fleas and intestinal parasites. Even indoor cats are at risk, since mosquitoes get inside. Ask your vet about the right product for your cat.
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Frequently asked
- Can indoor cats get heartworm?
- Yes. Mosquitoes easily get indoors, and a significant share of heartworm-positive cats are strictly indoor. Prevention is recommended for all cats.
- Is there a treatment for heartworm in cats?
- No — unlike dogs, there's no approved heartworm treatment for cats. This is why monthly prevention is the only reliable protection.