Tapeworms do not typically cause clinical signs in dogs or cats. The most common tapeworm that our companions are infected with is caused from eating a flea. Pets most likely ingest the flea from self-grooming. Tapeworms are long, flat segmented worms that attach to the intestinal wall of the host animal. Each segment is called a proglottid and usually that is what owner’s notice when it is passed through the stool. The segments that you may see are described a “white rice-like worms” even though they are only one segment of the much larger adult. Again, these intestinal worms do not generally cause a pet to become ill, but they are unsightly to say the least! Usually these worms are diagnosed from visual description or exam. Typically, they cannot be seen on a fecal float. A pill is given to treat for this parasite but a topical maybe prescribed for some cats.