Can cats get heartworm?
Cat owners are likely aware of common diseases, like Feline Leukemia Virus, but can cats get heartworm?
The simple answer to this question, is yes. Cats can get heartworm disease. Unlike dogs, cats are not suitable heartworm hosts. This means that most worms will not reach adulthood. Adult heartworms can reach lengths of up to 12 to 14 inches in dogs, and infestations can reach numbers in the hundreds. This is because the adult worms actually reproduce inside of infected dogs. Even though this will not happen in cats, it does not mean that cats cannot get sick due to heartworm infestations. Even juvenile worms can cause your cat to be very sick. Immature heartworms in cats can result in heartworm associated respiratory disease, also known as HARD.