Worms in Pets: What Every Pet Parent Needs to Know

As pet parents, we prioritize keeping our furry family members happy and healthy. Yet worms in pets often get overlooked, even though these pesky parasites can pose significant health issues. You might think worms are only a concern when they show up in your pet’s poop. However, most dogs and cats who are diagnosed with worms don’t have visible parasites. Many times the presence of parasite eggs or genetic material is found under the microscope or in stool samples at the lab. 

Public awareness of worms in dogs and cats—and the potential health risks they pose to humans—varies. The reality is that these troublesome parasites can go unnoticed, and they can significantly affect your pet’s well-being and even pose risks to your family. 

Here are some essential facts every dog and cat parent should know about worms in pets!

How Do Pets Get Worms?

If you’re wondering how dogs and cats get worms, one of the first areas to focus on is your pet’s daily routine. Here are some common ways your pet can be exposed to parasites and what factors increase their risk.

Certain worms can pass from mother to puppy or kitten

This information is essential for every pet parent of a new puppy or kitten, whether adopted from a shelter, rescue, breeder, or found as a stray. Hookworms and roundworms can be passed from mother to puppy before birth and during nursing, and kittens can also get infected with roundworms while nursing. Since transmission is widespread through this route, all puppies and kittens must follow a deworming plan over several weeks, which includes a series of oral medications prescribed by the veterinarian or breeder.

Dogs and cats can get worms from contaminated environments

Unfortunately, the contagious form of parasites is almost always microscopic and not visible to the naked eye. Dogs and cats can get worms from eating an infected animal’s poop, ingesting contaminated soil or water, or consuming an infected prey animal. A prevention strategy based on avoidance isn’t practical. Instead, your veterinarian will discuss monthly parasite control options with you and offer various formats to choose from. They can recommend the safest places to exercise and socialize with your pet while taking into account your daily routine and risk factors.

Fleas can transmit tapeworms

When pet parents think about common parasites that affect dogs and cats, fleas are usually the first to come to mind. However, every pet parent should be aware of two lesser-known facts about fleas to appreciate the significance of year-round flea control! Fleas feed on the blood of their hosts, whether dogs or cats, and can cause life-threatening anemia in young puppies and kittens. Moreover, if pets ingest fleas (such as when grooming themselves), infected fleas can transmit tapeworms — intestinal parasites that may result in diarrhea and weight loss.

Mosquitoes can transmit heartworms

While most worms we think of reside in the intestinal tract, don’t overlook one of the most dangerous internal parasites: heartworm. Dogs and cats can contract heartworm disease through the bite of an infected mosquito. These worms can cause heart failure in dogs and life-threatening asthma-like symptoms in cats.

Can You Prevent Worms in Pets?

Since parasites are often present in the environment, year-round parasite control is undoubtedly the best medicine — not just for your dog or cat, but also for the family living in the home. Here are some best practices to help protect your pet against worms:

The starting point is year-round parasite control

While completely shielding your pet from the risks of worms may be impossible, using year-round, broad-spectrum parasite control can significantly enhance their protection. Furthermore, heartworm disease can be effectively prevented with consistent use of heartworm preventatives. Many of these products are combinations that provide comprehensive defense against a range of parasites, including specific worms, fleas, and ticks.  

Parasite control for dogs

Parasite control for cats

Regular fecal exams are essential

While some dogs and cats with worms may show symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, and loss of appetite, these signs aren’t exclusive to parasites. Other pets may not exhibit any symptoms at all. This can result in long-term consequences for your pet, and more importantly, it may leave your dog or cat as a potential source for transmitting parasites to other pets and humans in the household. Ideally, adult pets should be tested for parasites at least twice a year, and puppies and kittens should be tested at least four times a year.

Pick up/dispose of your pet’s poop right away

Worm eggs and larvae can survive in soil for weeks or even years in dog parks, backyards, and playgrounds. This situation poses risks to your pets and family members. For example, people can contract hookworm infections by walking barefoot on contaminated soil. Likewise, your pets may get worms by eating poop from other dogs or cats that harbor parasite eggs or larvae. Children in the household are also at risk, as they may put dirty objects in their mouths, eat dirt, and engage in similar behaviors.  

Curb your pet’s hunting and scavenging behaviors

The last place pets are at risk of worms is when they chase or eat small animals like birds and rodents. It’s important to control access to your pet’s environment and keep your dog on a leash when in unfamiliar yards, parks, or areas with increased risks (e.g., alleyways). You can also brush up training cues like “leave it” to stop dogs from picking up something they shouldn’t, and keep cats indoors (or limit outdoor access) to prevent unwanted hunting activities. Maintain a tidy yard to help deter pests, and consider pet-safe options for rodent control in your immediate environment.

These proactive steps can help ensure your pet and family remain healthy and free from harmful parasites!