Can I catch worms from my pet?

We often worry about our pet’s health when it comes to parasites but many of us don’t realise that we might be at risk of disease from worms too. Those most at risk being children, the elderly and those with reduced immune systems, but everyone is at risk of picking up worms from pets.

In the UK, the most common types of worms transferred from dogs and cats to their unsuspecting owners are roundworms and tapeworms. It's important to be aware of how we could pick the worms up, what the risks are and how to reduce these risks.

Roundworms

Roundworms are the most common intestinal worms in dogs and cats, and the eggs are found in the faeces of infected dogs and cats. Unfortunately, these worms can pass easily from pets to humans, so it's important to know how we pick them up, what impact they can have on humans and how to reduce that risk of getting infected.

: Dogs and cats pick up roundworm from infected soil, from hunting behaviour, or from their mother’s milk. Pregnant dogs (but not pregnant cats) can even pass roundworms on to their puppies via the placenta, so the majority of puppies are infected at birth and most kittens infected within the first few weeks.
Adult dogs or cats may not show signs of infection, but puppies and kittens can have symptoms that are more serious, including a pot belly, vomiting and diarrhoea, and it can even be fatal in severe cases.
: Worms can easily pass from pets to people, through:
Contact with pets: eggs can stick to a cat or dog’s fur and be picked up by us when we groom or stroke the pet. 80% of children kiss their pet¹; that conjures up a lovely image, until you are hit with the realisation that those pets may have just ingested worm eggs...! An untreated bitch and her puppies, or queen and her kittens, are estimated to produce around 15 million roundworm eggs daily, so people should be particularly careful with hygiene when handling puppies and kittens.
Soil and the environment: roundworm eggs can survive in soil for years; young children are particularly at risk of infection as playing outside in the dirt, sandpits or play areas and not washing their hands well enough makes them prime targets for coming into contact with roundworm eggs.
Food hygiene: roundworm eggs can cling to food such as salad that’s not been properly washed.
: If we do end up accidentally swallowing roundworm eggs, our immune system may step in and tackle the problem. However in some cases the larvae of this parasite migrate within our bodies where they can cause severe symptoms. If the larvae end up in the eye (a condition called ocular larva migrans), it can result in blindness. This condition, while rare, is obviously devastating and one of the reasons why it’s so important that our pets are regularly treated for roundworm.
Toxocariasis, as this disease is known, can be very serious in people. Unfortunately it cannot be treated with a simple worming treatment.
: Treat pets to remove worm infestations: there are a range of worming products available for dogs and cats, including spot-ons and tablets. It's best to speak with your vet to be sure to choose the right worming product for you and your pet and their lifestyle.

It is recommended that dogs and cats are wormed at least every 3 months to reduce the risk of transmission of Toxocara (roundworm). However since lungworm prevention must be a prescription product given monthly, it is best to speak to your vet about the best choice for your dog.
Wash hands regularly! Wash hands really well after grooming or cuddling your pet and after being outside in the garden, play areas or sand pits - and especially before eating.
Carefully prepare food before eating: wash salad or other food that will be eaten raw, to wash off any roundworm eggs.

Tapeworms

Tapeworms are long segmented worms that live in the intestine of an infected animal or person. They are another of the most common parasites affecting both dogs and cats, and unfortunately can be readily spread both between animals and to humans as there are several routes for infection. It's important to know how tapeworm infections spread and how to reduce the risk of being infected.

: There are several ways that a pet can become infected with tapeworm:
eggs from faeces: small egg-filled segments of tapeworm break off in the intestine and are passed out in your pet’s faeces – these are not alive, but remain mobile for some time, so you may see these tiny white segments that look like grains of rice crawling around the back end of your animal, or in its poo. This can lead to an itchy bottom in your pet, causing them to “scoot” along the ground in an attempt to relieve the itch. Other animals can then ingest the egg-filled segments from grooming that pet, or from where the segments have been left in the environment.
through fleas: the larval stage of the tapeworm actually lives in fleas, so if a pet swallows an infected flea, they have then ingested the tapeworm larva.
from hunting or scavenging: if an infected animal is eaten by a dog or cat, the tapeworm infection will pass on to them.
: Humans can get a human-specific tapeworm by eating certain meat that isn’t cooked properly. This is very uncommon in the UK but more common in other countries. It’s also possible for tapeworms to be transmitted directly from pets to humans; we can become infected with the flea tapeworm if we eat an infected flea, although it’s unusual for this to happen.
The most dangerous tapeworm in the UK for people is Echinococcus granulosus. The worm lives in the dog's intestine. People then get infected by ingesting the eggs passed in the dog's faeces. These do not grow into worms but migrate through the body to cause hydatid disease (see below).
: This depends on the species of tapeworm.
If a person swallows a flea infected with Dipylidium then a tapeworm can grow in the human intestine. Fortunately this is uncommon in the UK and if it does happen, does not tend to make the person (usually a child) unwell.
When a tapeworm egg has been ingested by a human, the egg hatches in the intestines, becoming a larva. The larva then travels through the bloodstream and forms a cyst in the body. This is relevant to Echinococcus - either granulosus or multilocularis. The type of species of tapeworm affects what happens when the larval cyst matures: some contain a single larva, some have several larvae and some can create more cysts. If a cyst bursts, it can lead to cysts forming in other parts of the body.
Tapeworm infections can cause a number of issues including:
Stomach pain and diarrhoea: a tapeworm in the intestines can cause these as mild symptoms.
Blockages: tapeworm segments can block ducts that connect organs to the intestines, and can cause obstructions within the intestinal tract.
Hydatid disease: this occurs when fluid-filled cysts caused by tapeworm larvae develop in our organs, including the liver and lungs, interfering with how the organ usually works. If the cysts grow particularly large, or burst, they can cause further complications.
Hydatid disease is very serious. It cannot be treated with a simple worming medicine but may need surgery and/or many months of treatment.
Did you know ... In some parts of the world (fortunately not the UK!), adult tapeworms in humans can measure more than 80 feet and can survive for as long as 30 years!² That's a 30th birthday party nobody wants to go to!
: Symptoms of a tapeworm infection can include weight loss and general malaise, although often animals will not show any symptoms at all. There are many ways to reduce the risk of being infected with tapeworm:
Keep a regular worming schedule: there are a range of worming products available for dogs and cats, including spot-ons and tablets, that target tapeworms. It's best to speak with your vet to be sure to choose the right worming product for you and your pet.
Dispose of pet faeces regularly and responsibly.
Prepare food well: the main risks to humans for becoming infected with tapeworm is by eating raw or undercooked meat and fish. Cooking to the correct heat will kill any potential infection. It's also important to wash fruit and vegetables well, as they can carry tapeworm eggs.
Wash hands thoroughly: poor handwashing increases the risks of picking up tapeworm infections.
Using clean water: a lack of clean water for drinking, preparing food or washing increases the risk of exposure to tapeworm eggs.
High-risk regions. Living in or traveling to regions with high rates of infection is a risk factor.

A less common worm that can infect humans from pets is hookworm: these worms can be picked up by pets that eat hookworm larvae from the soil. Symptoms aren’t common in adult pets, but can be more serious in young dogs, and can include diarrhoea, lethargy and anaemia. Hookworm infects humans if we walk across a contaminated area in bare feet, as the larvae can burrow into our skin and cause irritation and itching. This is uncommon in the UK but may be much more common in other countries.

Reduce the risk of catching worms from your pet

While there are specific routes that means worm infection spreads, by following these guidelines, we can really reduce the risks of infection spreading:

Pick up the poo!
Remove your pet's faeces from the lawn or other outdoor space every day; clean out cat litter trays daily (if you are pregnant, ask someone else to do this); cover sandpits and play areas when not in use.
Wash your hands
Wash hands after stroking your pet, touching soil, sand, raw meat, litter trays or pet faeces or vomit - and before preparing food. Don’t kiss your pet or let your pet lick your face or an open wound.
Regular parasite control
Use regular parasite treatments to treat worm infections and to prevent fleas which can spread tapeworm. Speak with your vet to find the most suitable products for you and your pet.

People with weakened immune systems, the elderly, pregnant women and young children are at increased risk of picking up a worm infection so should take particular heed of this advice.

Find out more about other worms in pets

McNicholas J. Effect of pet ownership on immune functioning in children & Nature of the relationship between children and pets. University of Warwick March 2002.
Mayo Clinic - Tapeworm Infection

Can I catch worms from my pet?

Roundworms

How do pets pick up roundworms?

How do humans pick up roundworms?

What are the risks of roundworms to humans?

How can we reduce the risk of picking up roundworms from pets?

Tapeworms

How do pets pick up tapeworms?

How do humans pick up tapeworms?

What are the risks of tapeworms to humans?

How can we reduce the risk of picking up tapeworms from pets?

Reduce the risk of catching worms from your pet

Find out more about other worms in pets

Lungworm can be fatal in dogs

Whipworms affect dogs in the UK but rarely cats

Heartworms are spread by mosquitoes

Eyeworms are transmitted by flies

Lungworm can be fatal in dogs

Whipworms affect dogs in the UK but rarely cats

Heartworms are spread by mosquitoes

Eyeworms are transmitted by flies

Lungworm can be fatal in dogs

Whipworms affect dogs in the UK but rarely cats

Heartworms are spread by mosquitoes

Eyeworms are transmitted by flies

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