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Table of Contents
What “Worms” are we talking about?
Worms that can spread to humans
How do people actually get worms from pets?
Signs your pet might have worms
Signs of a worm infection in humans
How to reduce the risk: Simple worm prevention tips
If you live with a dog or cat, you’ve probably had the uneasy thought at least once: Can I catch worms from my pet? The honest answer is yes, it’s possible but for most modern pet owners, it’s not very likely. With routine veterinary care and basic hygiene, the risk is low. Let’s look at what actually happens, which parasites matter, and how concerned you really need to be.
When people say their pet has “worms,” they’re usually referring to intestinal parasites. The most common ones in dogs and cats are roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, and (in dogs) whipworms.
Not all of these easily infect humans. Some rarely do at all.
The parasites that raise the most concern are roundworms and hookworms, because they can occasionally infect people under the right circumstances.
Certain parasites are considered zoonotic, meaning they can spread from animals to people.
1. Roundworms
In dogs, the most common species is Toxocara canis, and in cats it’s Toxocara cati.
Humans don’t get adult worms in their intestines the way pets do. Instead, if someone accidentally ingests microscopic eggs (usually from contaminated soil or surfaces), the larvae can migrate through the body. This condition is called toxocariasis.
Children are at higher risk because they’re more likely to:
Play in dirt or sandboxes
Put hands in their mouths
Forget to wash hands
That said, infections in adults are uncommon, and severe complications are rare in developed countries with good sanitation.
2. Hookworms
Hookworms in dogs (such as Ancylostoma caninum) can infect humans, but usually not in the way you might expect.
Instead of living in your intestines, the larvae may penetrate the skin, often through bare feet in contaminated soil. This can cause an itchy, winding rash known as cutaneous larva migrans.
It’s uncomfortable, but it’s generally not dangerous and is treatable. Indoor pets with regular deworming are very unlikely to pose this risk.
3. Tapeworms
The most common tapeworm in dogs and cats is Dipylidium caninum. Humans (usually children) can get infected but only if they accidentally swallow an infected flea.
So technically, you don’t get tapeworms from petting your dog. You’d have to ingest a flea carrying tapeworm larvae.
If your pet is on consistent flea prevention, the risk is extremely low.
Most people who get worms from animals don’t get them from petting or hugging their dog. Transmission usually involves microscopic fecal contamination and poor hand hygiene.
For example, if pet waste is left in a yard, roundworm eggs can contaminate soil and survive for months. A child playing in that soil who then puts their hands in their mouth could be exposed. Similarly, gardening without gloves in contaminated soil may pose a small risk.
These are the 3 main ways you can get worms:
Contaminated soil
Poor hand hygiene
Fleas
Although overall risk is low, certain groups should be more cautious. Young children, pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems, and individuals who garden frequently without gloves are slightly more vulnerable.
Even in these groups, infection is not common but preventive habits matter more.
Any pets that are protected by vet-strength parasite preventative medicine, like Itch Wormer Tablets for worming cats & dogs, there is of course a likely chance of being infested with worms.
Intestinal worms can cause serious health issues for your pet and your family, but with a regular de-worming schedule you can protect your pet, home and family from these persistent parasites.
Itch Wormer tablets kills all common intestinal worms and prevent larvae from hatching and multiplying, until your pet's next regular treatment.
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Many pet owners share beds with their animals. Does that increase your risk?
Not significantly. If your pet is healthy and on parasite prevention, worm transmission from simply sleeping near your pet is very unlikely.
Even if transmission risk is low, you should still watch for signs of infection in your pet. If you notice these symptoms, consult your vet.
Visible worms in stool
Rice-like segments near the tail (tapeworms)
Pot-bellied appearance (in puppies)
Diarrhoea
Weight loss
Scooting - Click here to learn more about scooting!
In humans, many infections are mild or go unnoticed. When symptoms occur, they may include abdominal discomfort, an itchy skin rash in the case of hookworm larvae, or in rare roundworm cases, cough or visual disturbances.
Severe complications are rare, especially in countries with good healthcare systems. If there’s ever a concern, medical testing and treatment are available.
Keep your pet on regular deworming medication
Puppies and kittens are especially prone to worms. Follow your veterinarian’s deworming schedule carefully.
Use monthly parasite prevention
Many heartworm preventatives also protect against intestinal parasites.
Maintain strict flea control
No fleas = dramatically reduced tapeworm risk. Try Itch Flea Treatment for Cats & Dogs to kill adult fleas and target flea eggs and larvae to remove all signs of infestation.
Clean up faeces immediately
This is one of the most important steps.
Dispose of waste properly and sanitise litter boxes daily. Click here to understand why it's important (and a legal requirement) to pick up your dog's poo!
Wash your hands
Especially:
After cleaning litter boxes
After gardening
Before eating
After handling pet waste
This single habit dramatically lowers transmission risk.
Don’t let pets eat wild animals
Hunting increases parasite exposure.
Indoor pets are generally at lower risk, but not immune. Cats can still catch rodents, fleas can be carried indoors on clothing, and some infections may persist from early life if not properly treated.
Routine veterinary care remains important, even for animals that rarely leave the house.
Yes, it is possible to get worms from your pet. But for most people, it is unlikely.
If your pet receives regular veterinary care, stays on parasite and flea prevention, and you practice normal hygiene (including prompt waste cleanup and handwashing) your risk becomes very low.
You don’t need to stop cuddling your dog or sharing the couch with your cat. You just need sensible preventive habits.
Pets bring enormous emotional and physical benefits. With basic care and awareness, worms should be a manageable concern and not a reason to fear the animals you love.
Vet strength flea and worm treatments, tailored to your pet and delivered for free, every month, so you never forget.
Itch Flea kills adult fleas on your pet in 24 hours and halts all other flea life stages. Itch Wormer kills all common intestinal worms and prevents newly hatched larvae from growing and multiplying.
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