You shouldn't automatically deworm yourself, but you should consult your doctor if your dog has worms because some, like roundworms and hookworms, are zoonotic (can transfer to humans). Focus on good hygiene (handwashing, cleaning play areas) and deworming your pet as directed by your vet to prevent transmission, as routine deworming for healthy adults is usually unnecessary unless symptoms appear, according to this health article.
Many worms that infest dogs are zoonotic, meaning they can cause disease in people, but people are usually infested by contact with eggs or juvenile worms in the environment rather than direct contact with the dog. It is important to deworm your dog regularly and ensure good hygiene practices.
While it can happen, it's rare for humans to contract worms from dogs and it usually happens when exposed directly to an infected dog's poop. Dogs are very much the same way, as they commonly only get worms from exposure to an infected dog's poop.
Can Humans Take Dog Worm Medicine? Yes, deworming is necessary even for humans because these worms can lead to abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, bloating and other allergic reactions among humans. Albendazole is a pet allergy medicine for humans because it works fine for both humans and pets like dogs and cats.
Do I need to treat my house if my dog has worms? Disinfecting bedding and food bowls can help prevent further spread of worms while a dog is being treated. A dog may have fleas if diagnosed with a tapeworm infection. If your dog has fleas, your house will also be infested with fleas and may need flea treatment.
Within 24 to 48 hours after the deworming treatment, it's typical to start seeing evidence of the worms exiting your dog's system. If you're not seeing any changes, don't worry. The timeline can vary based on the severity of the infestation.
In most cases, while worms can be temporarily treated at home while you're waiting for your appointment, deworming medication and maintenance medication are usually your best bet.
The Deworming Process after a Few Days
You may be surprised to still see live worms in your dog's feces after deworming them, but this is normal. While this can be an unpleasant image, it's actually a good thing — it means the worms are no longer living inside your dog!
Another risk of at-home treatment is incorrect dosing. Giving too little of a medication may not effectively kill the worms, while giving too much could lead to toxicity and harm your cat. In addition, the frequency of dosing is different depending on the situation.
Signs of worms in dogs include a bloated belly (especially in puppies), weight loss despite normal appetite, diarrhea (possibly with blood/mucus), vomiting, lethargy, scooting their bottom, a dull coat, and sometimes seeing worms or "rice-like" segments in feces or around the anus. Coughing can also occur with roundworms and hookworms, while anemia and black, tarry stools suggest hookworms, notes North Road Veterinary Centre and MSD Veterinary Manual.
As a pet parent, you always want to cuddle your furry companion, but it may not be the safest thing to do if it has tapeworms. While internal parasites have to pass from feces to mouth to infect humans, the risk of transmission through fleas is always there.
Symptoms of other worm infections
Good Hygiene Practices: Teach everyone in the household, especially children, the importance of washing their hands thoroughly after handling dogs or cleaning up after them. Avoid letting dogs lick faces or hands, as this can also transmit worm eggs.
Roundworms: Roundworms are one of the most common worms dogs can transmit to humans. These parasites can cause a condition known as visceral larva migrans, where the larvae migrate through the human body, potentially causing damage to organs and leading to serious health issues.
Worms can cause diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, poor coat quality, anemia, and weakness. In puppies and kittens, a heavy worm burden can even be fatal (CDC, 2021; American Veterinary Medical Association, AVMA). Some worms, like roundworms and hookworms, are zoonotic—meaning they can infect humans.
A worm infestation becomes an emergency when your dog shows pale gums, black tarry stool, or difficulty breathing. These symptoms may indicate dangerous blood loss or lung involvement. Puppies and older dogs are especially vulnerable to severe complications from heavy worm burdens.
Failing to deworm frequently enough, deworming too frequently or deworming with ineffective medications are the most common mistakes.
Promote good hygiene and prevents the transmission of disease and worms. Do not feed pets raw meat to your pets as these may be a source of Tapeworms. It is always a good idea to deworm yourself and your family on a yearly basis especially when you have young children.
Parasites drain nutrients from your body, leaving you with a constant feeling of fatigue. Digestive issues: Frequent diarrhea, abdominal pain, or bloating can be signs of a parasitic infestation. These digestive disturbances affect not only your physical well-being but also your daily comfort.
How long does it take for worms to leave a dog? Puppies will usually poop worms for a couple of days as the parasites die off between 2 and 14 hours. However, it's not unusual for worms to still be pooped out for up to a week after deworming.
Fecal-oral infection occurs when dogs encounter infected stool. Whipworms, hookworms, roundworms, and other parasites spread this way, and it is the most common way that dogs get worms. Contact with infected soil. Eating wild game, small mammals, or fleas with tapeworms.
Natural Remedies for Dog Deworming:
Signs of worms in dogs include a bloated belly (especially in puppies), weight loss despite normal appetite, diarrhea (possibly with blood/mucus), vomiting, lethargy, scooting their bottom, a dull coat, and sometimes seeing worms or "rice-like" segments in feces or around the anus. Coughing can also occur with roundworms and hookworms, while anemia and black, tarry stools suggest hookworms, notes North Road Veterinary Centre and MSD Veterinary Manual.
In most cases, if your dog is otherwise healthy and you've used the correct dose of a vet-approved product, giving a dewormer when your dog doesn't have worms won't cause any major harm. Dewormers are tested for safety in healthy dogs, and the active ingredients are designed to act on worms, not your dog.
A whole-food, raw meat-based diet is one of the superior options for a worm-free dog since it contains the right ingredients for a healthy digestive system.