Last Updated: 22/07/2026
Intestinal Worms in Dogs: a Complete Guide to Signs and Prevention
Intestinal worms are sneaky invaders that can affect your dog's health and even your family. From roundworms to tapeworms, discover the best ways to spot the symptoms and choose the right vet-approved prevention to keep your household worm-free.
Author: Dr Maree Monaghan BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 8 minutes - short read
The most common signs of worms in dogs are a bloated 'pot belly' appearance, diarrhoea and weight loss, though many dogs show no symptoms at all. While our dogs bring a mountain of joy into our lives, they can also occasionally bring in some uninvited guests. Intestinal worms are a common part of pet ownership in Australia, and because they often live out of sight, it's easy to underestimate the risk. Many can also be passed on to people, so a solid prevention plan matters for the whole family.
How do dogs get worms?
Dogs become infected with worms in a number of ways:
- Direct contact with infected faeces or soil
- Drinking contaminated water
- Consumption of infected carcasses, raw meat or prey
- Ingestion of fleas
- From their mother before or after birth
What types of worms do Australian dogs get?
Roundworms
Adult roundworms are long, white and look like spaghetti. The larvae of this worm can pass through the placenta and infect pups before they are born, as well as be ingested through the mother's milk.
Hookworms
Hookworms get their name from the hook-like appearance of their head. They are much smaller than roundworm and have fierce looking hooked mouthparts which they use to attach to the intestinal wall to feed on blood. The larvae of these worms can also be passed on through the placenta and via mother's milk.
Whipworm
Whipworms are around 4 cm long and have a thin front end and a thick tail which makes them look like a whip. They live in the large intestines of dogs and, unlike other intestinal worms, are more common as dogs get older.
Tapeworms
Tapeworms are long, flat, segmented worms that attach to the wall of the small intestine with their hook-like mouthparts. They can reach up to 30 cm long and the small segments that break off and are passed out in dogs' faeces resemble grains of rice. Learn more about Tapeworms in Dogs.
Tracheal Worm (uncommon)
A type of lungworm that lives in nodules in the trachea (windpipe) of dogs has recently become a problem in some areas of northern Queensland. Puppies can become infected from the faeces or saliva of an infected dog.
Rat Lungworm (uncommon)
Infection with this worm is fortunately uncommon, however, the problems it causes are very serious. Dogs can be infected with the larvae of this parasite by ingesting slugs, snails or rats. These larvae travel from the intestine through the bloodstream and end up in the brain and spinal cord causing severe inflammation of the nervous system.
What are the signs of worms in dogs?
The most obvious signs include a bloated stomach, diarrhoea, weight loss and lethargy, though some worm infections, particularly tapeworm, cause no visible symptoms at all.
Itchy Bottom: This is commonly thought of as being the most obvious sign of an intestinal worm infection in dogs, however, this is rarely true. The major cause of dogs rubbing their bottom on the ground or "scooting" is actually anal gland problems.
Bloated Stomach: A "pot belly" is a very obvious sign of intestinal worm infections in puppies.
Diarrhoea and Vomiting: Hookworm infections can cause diarrhoea with blood and, occasionally, puppies with severe roundworm infections will actually vomit up worms.
Anaemia: Hookworms feed on large quantities of blood from the intestine which results in anaemia, particularly in puppies.
Weight Loss and Lethargy: Intestinal worms can damage the lining of the digestive tract and make it less able to absorb nutrients leading to malnutrition.
No Symptoms: It is important to note that some intestinal worm infections have no symptoms at all. Tapeworms rarely cause disease in dogs, so your precious pooch could be infected and you would not know. The only way to find out is by having your dog regularly examined by your vet.
Can humans catch worms from dogs?
Diseases that are passed from animals to humans are called "zoonoses" and some canine intestinal worms are "zoonotic". Children are at more risk of becoming infected with canine intestinal worms because they play on the ground, put dirty objects in their mouths and sometimes eat dirt. Soil becomes contaminated with the eggs and larvae of intestinal worms when infected dogs pass faeces.
Dogs that are infected with intestinal worms pass eggs or larvae in their faeces which are able to infect humans after about two weeks in the soil. These eggs and larvae can survive for weeks and sometimes years in areas such as dog parks, playgrounds and backyards.
Accidentally ingesting fleas which are infected with flea tapeworm larvae can also lead to tapeworm infection in humans.
Can humans get worms from dogs licking them?
Unfortunately, yes. Your beloved pooch can transmit worm eggs as they lick your face. If they have been in recent contact with contaminated soil or faeces, and these eggs are accidentally ingested, this can lead to an infection. There are a few types of worms which can spread from dogs to humans - tapeworms, hookworms and roundworms. Hookworms can also enter the human body upon contact with contaminated soil from dog stools, where larvae can penetrate the skin, causing redness and itching.
How to protect yourself and your family from worms
The essentials:
- Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after outdoor activities, interacting with animals, and before handling food
- Pick up and dispose of dog faeces promptly, never hose it into the ground as this causes contamination
- Cover sandpits when not in use and wear shoes outdoors
- Keep all pets on an effective, year-round worming and flea program
- Book regular vet check-ups, since some worm infections don't cause any signs of illness
How to treat and prevent intestinal worms
Effective treatment relies on a vet approved, year round worming program using products containing ingredients such as milbemycin, praziquantel or pyrantel. Recommended intestinal worming products include drontal, milbemax, milpro, paragard and endogard.
It's important to note that Spirometra tapeworms need a higher dose of medication than other species of tapeworm in order to be successfully treated. Diagnosis and treatment of infection with this worm requires veterinary supervision. Always consult with your vet to determine the best intestinal worm program for your dog.
There is absolutely no evidence that home remedies such as garlic, pumpkin seeds and apple cider vinegar are effective and relying on these can lead to severe worm infestations in dogs, dangerous environmental contamination and increased risk for you and your family.
Heartworm is a separate condition, spread by mosquitoes rather than faecal contamination, and is not covered by every intestinal wormer. Heartworm is a separate condition, learn more.
For more information, read through How Often Should I Worm My Dog? . For broader parasite protection alongside worming, see our full guide to parasite prevention for dogs.
What to expect after deworming your dog
Once you have administered a worming treatment, the medication begins working quickly to neutralise the parasites. It is quite common to see dead worms in your dog’s stool over the next 48 hours; while this can be a bit confronting to witness, it is a sign that the treatment is doing its job.
Most dogs tolerate worming products very well, but occasionally some may experience mild, short-lived gastrointestinal upset, such as a single bout of vomiting or slightly soft faeces. If your dog appears unusually lethargic or continues to have an upset stomach, it is always best to contact your veterinarian for a quick check-over to ensure they are on the right track to recovery.
FAQs
Intestinal worms might be a silent threat, but they are easily managed with the right approach. By staying consistent with a vet-approved parasite prevention program and practicing good hygiene at home, you can effectively shield your pet and your family from these common parasites. Remember, a worm-free dog is a much more comfortable companion, so keep up with those regular treatments to keep your dog happy and healthy.
References
Tropical Council for Companion Animal Parasites Guidelines for the Diagnosis, Treatment and Control of Canine Endoparasites in the Tropics https://www.troccap.com/2017press/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/TroCCAP_Canine_Endo_Guidelines_English_Ver2.pdf (2019) (accessed October 5, 2023)
Luca Massetti, Rebecca J. Traub, Louise Rae, Vito Colella, Lara Marwedel, Phillip McDonagh, Anke Wiethoelter. One Health Volume 17, December 2023, 100587: Canine gastrointestinal parasites perceptions, practices, and behaviours: A survey of dog owners in Australia. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352771423001076#bb0100 (accessed October 5,2023).
Companion Animal Parasite Council, General Guidelines for Dogs and Cats (2023), https://capcvet.org/ (accessed October 5, 2023).
L. Massetti, A. Wiethoelter, P. McDonagh, L. Rae, L. Marwedel, F. Beugnet, V. Colella, R.J. Traub. Faecal prevalence, distribution and risk factors associated with canine soil-transmitted helminths contaminating urban parks across Australia Int. J. Parasitol., 52 (2022), pp. 637-646, 10.1016/j.ijpara.2022.08.001
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History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Wed 22 Jul 2026
Edited by Dr Angie Armstrong BVScDr Maree Monaghan BVSc (Hons)
Veterinarian
Dr. Maree graduated from the University of Queensland in 1990 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science and has worked in a wide variety of practices around Australia and in Papua New Guinea. She has cared for all creatures great and small and has a particular interest in senior pets and horse nutrition
