As a caring pet owner, you'll know that worms come with the territory, so worming your pet is important. But why should you worm your pet regularly when they seem healthy?
Well, even without showing obvious symptoms, a pet without an appropriate worming treatment plan could be suffering from a worm infection. Furthermore, worms carried by cats and dogs can pose a health risk, not just to the pet in question, but to other animals, and to humans.
Signs aren't always obvious
Cats & dogs can appear healthy even when they have worm infections. Detecting infection can be tricky as worm eggs are too small to be easily visible in your pet's faeces. It is therefore extremely important to speak to your vet about the most appropriate treatment plan for your pet.
In these website pages, you will find information on worms that your dog or cat are at risk from as well as the potential implications for your family. Specific signs will be described for each worm, but remember that not all worm infections will be obvious in your pet, and some signs may be more general such as:
- 'scooting' - some worms shed segments that could stick to your pet's bottom and become itchy, so they may drag their bottom along the ground with their back legs. Doing this also means that your pet will be rubbing their infected bottom on your carpet which is unhygienic
- weight loss
- vomiting
- diarrhoea
- a dull, lifeless coat
- change in appetite (may be increased or decreased depending on the worms present)
- lack of energy
- a pot bellied appearance (most commonly seen in puppies and kittens)
- breathing difficulties
- any general changes in behaviour
Paws for thought
It is important that you speak to your vet for advice if you see any of the above signs in your pet as many of these can also be caused by other illnesses. Your vet will be able to investigate the problem and provide appropriate advice and treatment.
How could my pet get worms?
Worms can be anywhere, outside or inside, as tiny eggs that are just waiting to be picked up and eaten by your pet. Worms are hard for your pet to avoid and pets can acquire worm infections from the following sources:
- contact with soil, grass and sand, such as in the park, garden or children's play areas
- scavenging/hunting
- eating raw meat
- fleas
- eating faeces
- puppies and kittens are very commonly infected from their mother
- mosquito bites when travelling abroad
All cats and dogs are at risk of acquiring a worm infection. However, some lifestyles create higher risk than others; Check the table below to see where your pet may be at risk of exposure:
 Dog |
 Travelling dog |
 Outdoor Cat |
 Indoor cat |
 Travelling cat |
|
| Animal faeces |  |
|
|
|
|
| Scavenging/Hunting | |
|
|
|
|
| Fleas | |
|
|
|
|
| Contaminated soil | |
|
|
|
|
| Mosquitoes | |
|
Given the broad range of intestinal worms that can infect and cause disease in pets in the UK, it is worth familiarising yourself with the risk for transmission of each type of worm (Roundworm, Tapeworm; Hookworm; Whipworm and Heartworm), and discussing an appropriate treatment plan for your pet with your vet as soon as possible.
Fact to make you wriggle
20.4% of soil samples from parks and public play areas in an area of Southern England were found to be contaminated with worm eggs¹.
(1) Kirchheimer R, Jacobs DE. Toxocara species egg contamination of soil from children's play areas in southern England. The Veterinary Record 163:394-395 (2008)
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