Worms in Dogs
Dog Health Guides · Parasites · Diseases
Worms in Dogs: Roundworms, Tapeworms, Hookworms and Whipworms
If you are reading about worms in dogs, your veterinarian is the best first step. This guide explains what owners commonly see and what to do next. It does not diagnose or prescribe.
Worms in dogs are very common, especially in puppies. The four main intestinal worms are roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms and whipworms. Some you can see in poop; others are only found with a vet poop test.
This guide explains what worms in dog poop look like, the symptoms each worm causes, how dogs get worms, and why treatment for worms in dogs should be chosen by your vet after a fecal test.
Important: See a vet promptly for a puppy with diarrhea, vomiting or a pot belly, pale gums or weakness (hookworms can cause serious blood loss), or blood in the stool. Do not use dewormers made for horses, livestock or other animals. Some roundworms and hookworms can infect people, so pick up poop and wash hands.
Types of Worms in Dogs
Roundworms
Long, white or tan worms that look like spaghetti and may appear in poop or vomit. Very common in puppies.
Tapeworms
Flat worms made of segments. Owners see small, white, rice-like pieces around the bottom or on bedding. Dogs get them from swallowing fleas or eating prey.
Hookworms
Tiny worms that attach to the gut wall and feed on blood. Not usually visible, but they can cause anemia, especially in puppies.
Whipworms
Small, thread-like worms in the large intestine that cause ongoing diarrhea with mucus and are hard to find.
Symptoms of Worms in Dogs
In the Poop
Spaghetti-like worms, rice-like segments, mucus, blood or diarrhea.
Around the Bottom
Scooting, licking the rear, or dried segments stuck to the fur.
Body Condition
Weight loss despite eating well, a dull coat, and a pot belly in puppies.
Other Signs
Vomiting, coughing in puppies (migrating roundworm larvae), pale gums and low energy.
How Dogs Get Worms
Eggs in Soil and Poop
Dogs swallow eggs while sniffing, licking paws or eating grass where infected dogs have pooped.
Through the Skin
Hookworm larvae can burrow through the skin of the paws.
From Mother to Puppy
Roundworms and hookworms pass to puppies before birth and through milk.
Fleas and Prey
Tapeworms come from swallowing infected fleas or eating rodents and rabbits. See dog parasites.
Worms in Dogs Treatment
Poop Test First
Your vet checks a poop sample to find which worms are present, because different dewormers work on different worms.
Vet-Chosen Dewormer
Your vet prescribes the right product and schedule. Puppies are dewormed several times in their first months.
Repeat and Prevent
Many dewormers are repeated, as your vet directs, to catch worms that hatch later. Monthly prevention and flea control stop reinfection.
Clean Up
Pick up poop daily, and wash bedding to reduce eggs in the environment.
What To Do Tonight
No signs
A healthy adult dog with no signs: keep up prevention and a yearly poop test.
See a vet
A sick puppy, pale gums, weakness, blood in the stool, or vomiting worms.
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Back to Dog Health Guides →Worms in Dogs FAQ
What do worms in dog poop look like?
Roundworms look like spaghetti, tapeworm segments look like grains of rice, and hookworms and whipworms are usually too small to see.
What are the white rice-like things in my dog’s poop?
These are usually tapeworm segments. Your vet can treat tapeworms and advise on flea control, because fleas spread them.
How do dogs get worms?
From soil and grass with worm eggs, from their mother as puppies, from swallowing fleas, and from eating prey or raw meat.
Can I treat worms in dogs at home?
Your vet should choose the dewormer after a poop test, because different worms need different medicines. Avoid products made for other animals.
Can I get worms from my dog?
Some roundworms and hookworms can infect people. Pick up poop promptly, wash hands, and keep your dog on a vet-recommended prevention plan.
Is this worms in dogs guide a substitute for a vet visit?
No. It is educational only. Your veterinarian should examine your dog and guide any diagnosis and treatment.
Can I work out a medicine dose from this page?
No. Never work out doses from product strengths, other pets’ medicines or internet pages. The right medicine and dose depend on your dog’s weight, age, breed, health and other medicines, so they must come from your veterinarian.