By Dial A Vet Veterinary Team
Dogs do not need to be neglected or unwell to pick up worms. A puppy can be born with them, a dog can swallow a flea while scratching, and one mouthful of raw sheep offal on a farm can pass on the hydatid tapeworm, which is a risk to the whole family. Each route leads to different parasites, and each has its own simple fix. Once you know where worms come from, a worming plan that fits your dog's lifestyle makes much more sense.
Key takeaways
- Worms reach dogs through their mother, contaminated soil, fleas, prey, raw offal, mosquitoes and snails or slugs.
- Intestinal wormers do not protect against heartworm, which needs separate prevention.
- Daily poo pick-up, flea control and avoiding raw offal cut risk dramatically.
- Several dog worms can infect people, so hygiene protects the family too.
- Your dog's lifestyle (city, rural, hunting, raw-fed) should shape the worming plan.
1. From their mother
Roundworm larvae lying dormant in a female dog's tissues become active during pregnancy. They cross the placenta and pass into milk, so puppies can have adult roundworms at just a few weeks old. Hookworm larvae can also pass through milk. This is why puppies are wormed from two weeks of age. Read more in our guide to roundworms in puppies.
2. Contaminated soil, grass and poo
Roundworm, hookworm and whipworm eggs pass in faeces and contaminate soil. Dogs swallow them while sniffing, licking paws, eating grass or digging. Whipworm eggs can survive in soil for years. Parks, dog beaches, kennels and backyards where poo is left lying are the main sources.
3. Through the skin
Hookworm larvae can burrow through the skin, often the paws and belly, especially in warm, moist soil. This is more common in northern Australia, and the same larvae can cause itchy skin tracks in people who walk barefoot where dogs toilet.
4. Swallowing fleas
The flea tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum) is passed when a dog swallows an infected flea while grooming or chewing at itchy skin. If you see rice-like segments around your dog's bottom, fleas are almost certainly part of the story.
5. Hunting and scavenging
Dogs that catch or scavenge rabbits, rodents, birds, lizards and frogs can pick up Taenia tapeworms, roundworm larvae and, in parts of Australia, the Spirometra tapeworm. Carcasses on farms and roadsides are a particular hazard.
6. Raw offal and meat
The hydatid tapeworm (Echinococcus granulosus) is picked up when dogs eat raw offal, especially liver and lungs, from sheep, cattle, goats, pigs, kangaroos or wallabies containing hydatid cysts. Dogs rarely show signs, but eggs in their faeces can infect people and cause slow-growing cysts in the liver or lungs. Never feed raw offal, and ask your vet about regular tapeworm treatment for farm and working dogs. See tapeworm in dogs for more.
7. Mosquitoes, snails and slugs
Heartworm is spread by mosquito bites, not by eating anything. Larvae travel through the body to the heart and lung blood vessels. Heartworm is found across much of Australia, and year-round prevention is recommended. Separately, rat lungworm (Angiostrongylus cantonensis) is picked up when dogs eat slugs and snails, mostly in eastern Australia, and in dogs it can cause severe nervous system disease. Our guide to heartworm disease in dogs explains prevention.
Signs your dog may have worms
- Worms or rice-like segments in poo, vomit or around the bottom
- Diarrhoea, sometimes with mucus or blood
- Vomiting
- Weight loss or poor growth despite a good appetite
- Pot belly in puppies
- Dull coat, pale gums or low energy
- Scooting or licking under the tail
- Coughing or reduced exercise tolerance (heartworm or migrating larvae)
Many dogs with worms show no signs at all, which is why routine prevention matters more than waiting for symptoms.
When to see a vet
Emergency now: collapse, very pale gums, a swollen tight belly with vomiting, black or very bloody diarrhoea, or sudden wobbliness, weakness of the back legs or severe pain after eating snails or slugs.
Same day: a puppy with diarrhoea or vomiting, or any dog that is lethargic and off food.
Book a visit: worms seen in a bright dog, weight loss, scooting, or if you are unsure whether your worming plan covers your dog's risks.
How vets diagnose and treat worms
Your vet may use a faecal test to look for eggs, a blood test for heartworm, and a physical examination. Treatment is with products that target the specific worms involved, following the label. Some worms need repeat treatment, and flea tapeworm needs flea control too.
Prevention
- Pick up poo every day, at home and on walks.
- Follow a regular worming schedule suited to your dog's age and lifestyle.
- Keep every pet in the home on flea control.
- Never feed raw offal, and keep dogs away from carcasses.
- Give heartworm prevention year round.
- Discourage eating snails, slugs and prey, and remove snails from the yard where possible.
- Wash hands after handling dogs or soil, and supervise children.
FAQ
Can my dog get worms from another dog?
Not usually by direct contact, but by contact with infected faeces or contaminated soil in shared spaces.
Does an indoor dog still need worming?
Yes. Indoor dogs still go outside to toilet, can catch fleas, and are exposed to mosquitoes.
Is a raw diet a worm risk?
Raw meat and especially raw offal can carry tapeworms and other parasites. Discuss safe options with your vet.
Talk with a vet
If you would like help building a worming plan around your dog's lifestyle, a Dial A Vet consult is an easy place to start. Collapse, severe pain or sudden weakness is an emergency, so see an in-person emergency vet straight away.
References
- Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC): General Guidelines for Dogs and Cats
- Australian Government Department of Health: Hydatid disease
- NSW Health: Rat lungworm fact sheet
- American Heartworm Society: Canine Guidelines
Disclaimer: Educational only. This page does not replace an examination or advice from your own veterinarian. Always follow the label and your vet's advice when using parasite products.
