Worms are one of those subjects most owners would rather not think about. But intestinal worms are extremely common in dogs and cats, some can infect people — especially children — and a few, like lungworm and heartworm, can be life-threatening. A sensible worming plan is simple once you know what you are protecting against.
The main worms
- Roundworms — very common in puppies and kittens, who can be infected before birth or through their mother’s milk. Their eggs survive in soil for years and can infect children.
- Tapeworms — caught by swallowing fleas while grooming, or by eating prey or raw offal. You may see rice-like segments near the tail.
- Hookworms and whipworms — less common in many areas, but can cause anaemia and diarrhoea.
- Lungworm (Angiostrongylus vasorum) — dogs catch it by eating slugs and snails, or licking their slime from toys and bowls. It can cause coughing, bleeding problems and death.
- Heartworm — spread by mosquitoes in warm regions. Prevention is essential where it occurs.
How often?
There isn’t one schedule for every pet. As a general guide:
- Puppies and kittens: commonly every two weeks from two weeks old (puppies) or three weeks old (kittens) until about eight to twelve weeks, then monthly until six months. Follow the product label and your vet.
- Adult pets: at least four times a year is a common baseline; monthly for high-risk pets — those that hunt, scavenge, eat slugs, live with young children or eat raw food.
- Lungworm and heartworm areas: monthly prevention, as your vet recommends.
Worm counts (faecal egg tests) are an alternative for some low-risk adult pets: a stool sample is tested every few months, and wormers are given when needed. Ask your vet whether it suits your pet.
Choosing a wormer
No single product covers every worm. Some treat roundworms but not tapeworms; only certain products prevent lungworm. Veterinary products are generally more effective than many sold in supermarkets. Always use the right dose for your pet’s current weight.
Protecting your family
- Pick up dog faeces promptly — roundworm eggs become infective after a couple of weeks in the environment.
- Cover children’s sandpits so cats don’t use them.
- Wash hands after handling pets and gardening, especially for children.
- Keep flea treatment up to date to break the tapeworm cycle.
Signs of worms
Many pets show no signs at all. Heavy burdens can cause a pot-bellied appearance in puppies and kittens, weight loss, diarrhoea, vomiting, a dull coat, scooting and coughing. Any pet with unexplained coughing or bleeding should be checked for lungworm.
Questions owners ask
Do indoor cats need worming?
Usually yes, but perhaps less often. Indoor cats can catch tapeworms from fleas and roundworms from eggs brought in on shoes. Your vet can suggest a schedule.
Can I catch worms from my dog?
Some worms, especially roundworms, can infect people, usually by accidentally swallowing eggs from soil. Good hygiene and regular worming make this very unlikely.
Are natural wormers effective?
Remedies such as garlic, pumpkin seeds or diatomaceous earth have no reliable evidence of effect — and garlic is toxic to pets. Use a licensed veterinary product.
Written by
Maya edits every page before it goes to review and keeps the reference library up to date. (Demo profile supplied with the Tailwise theme — replace it with your own team.)
Reviewed by
Tailwise is for general information and is reviewed by veterinary professionals, but it is not a substitute for advice from your own vet, who knows your pet. How we check facts
