Pets can get worms from a variety of sources, including:

How Do Pets Get Worms?

Fleas and Ticks

Fleas and ticks can carry tapeworms and roundworms. When a pet swallows a flea or tick, it can ingest the worms and become infected.

Other animals

Pets can get worms from coming into contact with other animals that are infected. This can happen when pets play together, share food or water bowls, or groom each other.

Soil

Pets can get worms from eating soil that is contaminated with worm eggs. This can happen when pets dig in the dirt, eat grass, or roll around in the mud.

Water

Pets can get worms from drinking contaminated water. This can happen when pets drink from puddles, ponds, or streams that contain worm eggs.

Food

Pets can get worms from eating raw or undercooked meat or fish. This is especially true for pork, beef, and lamb. These meats can contain tapeworms, roundworms, and hookworms.

How to prevent your pet from getting worms

There are a few things you can do to prevent your pet from getting worms:

Keep your pet on a regular deworming schedule

This will help to kill any worms that your pet may have and prevent them from becoming infected again.

Control fleas and ticks

Fleas and ticks can carry worms, so it is important to control these pests on your pet.

Keep your pet away from other animals that are infected

This includes stray animals, wildlife, and other pets that are known to be infected with worms.

Do not allow your pet to eat soil, grass, or mud

These can all contain worm eggs.

Feed your pet cooked meat and fish

This will help to kill any worms that may be present in the meat or fish.

Wash your hands after handling your pet

This will help to prevent you from becoming infected with worms.

Symptoms of worms in pets

The symptoms of worms in pets can vary depending on the type of worm. Some common symptoms include:

Diarrhea

Vomiting

Weight loss

Abdominal pain

Skin irritation

Coughing

Difficulty breathing

If you think your pet may have worms, it is important to take them to the veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.