Worms are more than just an unpleasant nuisance—they can cause serious health issues for your pet, including weight loss, digestive problems, and, in severe cases, life-threatening illness. Some types of worms can even be transmitted to humans, making regular worm prevention an essential part of responsible pet care.
Even if your pet appears healthy, they can still carry worms, which is why routine treatment is key. Here’s what you need to know about how pets get worms, the signs to look out for, and how to protect them from infestation.
How Do Pets Get Worms?
Pets can become infected with worms in several ways, including:
- Contact with infected animals – Direct or indirect exposure to other pets or wildlife carrying worms.
- Ingesting worm eggs or larvae – This can happen by eating contaminated faeces, grass, or soil.
- Eating raw meat or infected prey – Some worms are transmitted through consuming infected rodents or raw food.
- Fleas and parasites – Fleas can carry tapeworm eggs, which pets ingest while grooming.
- Mother to offspring – Many kittens are born with roundworms, passed to them through their mother’s milk.
Because worms can be picked up so easily, routine treatment is the best way to keep your pet healthy and prevent the spread of parasites.
Signs Your Pet May Have Worms
Detecting worms isn’t always straightforward, as symptoms can vary. However, signs of an infestation may include:
- Worms in faeces, vomit, or around the bottom – Visible worms may look like grains of rice (tapeworms) or spaghetti-like strands (roundworms).
- Weight loss despite a normal or increased appetite – Worms compete for nutrients, leading to malnutrition.
- Dry, dull, or coarse fur – A lack of essential nutrients due to worm infestations can affect coat health.
- Diarrhoea, bloating, or a “pot belly” in young animals – This is common in heavily infested puppies and kittens.
- Lethargy or general weakness – Some worms affect red blood cell production, leading to anaemia.
If you suspect your pet has worms, collect a sample of any worms you find (wrapped in damp cotton wool) and take it to your vet for identification. This will help determine the best course of treatment.
How to Treat Worms in Pets
The best way to manage worms is with regular veterinary-approved treatments. Here’s how to ensure your pet stays worm-free:
- Follow a regular worming schedule – Ask your vet about the right deworming treatment based on your pet’s age, species, and lifestyle.
- Start early – Puppies and kittens should be treated for roundworms from a young age and for tapeworms as they grow older.
- Use the correct treatment for different worm types – Not all dewormers work on every parasite, so always follow your vet’s advice.
- Control fleas – Since fleas carry tapeworm eggs, using a flea prevention treatment will reduce the risk of tapeworm infestations.
Regular veterinary check-ups can help ensure your pet’s worm prevention routine is effective and up to date.
Preventing Worms in Pets
Prevention is always better than cure. Follow these best practices to reduce the risk of worms in your pet:
For All Pets:
- Clean food and water bowls regularly.
- Maintain hygiene in their living spaces—disinfect pet bedding, enclosures, and litter trays frequently.
- Clean up after your pet and dispose of faeces properly to prevent environmental contamination.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after handling pets, before eating, and after cleaning up waste.
For Outdoor Pets (Dogs, Cats, Rabbits, and Horses):
- Keep grazing areas clean—regularly remove droppings and rotate pastures for horses, ponies, and rabbits.
- Minimise exposure to wild animals—wild rabbits and rodents can carry worms that infect domestic pets.
- Be cautious with foraging—avoid collecting greens from areas where wild animals have been.
For Pregnant Pets:
- Pregnant pets should only be wormed under veterinary supervision, as some treatments may not be safe during pregnancy.
By taking these simple but effective steps, you can protect your pet from worms and ensure they stay healthy and happy.
If you’re unsure about the best worming routine for your pet, speak to your vet for tailored advice.
