Worms in Dog Poop: Different Types and How to Treat Them
Key takeaways:
You may see signs of worms in your dog’s poop, but some parasites can only be seen using a microscope.
Even when they’re not visible, parasites typically cause other signs of infection like diarrhea, itchiness, or a lack of energy.
Your veterinarian will recommend the best parasite treatment and prevention plan for your pet.
Table of contents
Nobody wants to find worms in their dog’s poop. But if you see something suspicious, it’s helpful to know what you’re looking at. It’s also important to recognize other signs of parasites, since not all types of worms are visible without a microscope. That way, you can get your pup the treatment they need.
How do dogs get worms?
There are a few ways that dogs and puppies can get worms. In general, puppies are more likely to have worms than adult dogs. This is because mother dogs who are infected with worms can pass them on to their puppies. Otherwise, dogs usually get worms from eating poop or soil that is contaminated with poop.
A deep dive on hookworms: Think there are hookworms in your dog’s poop? Don’t panic. Here’s what to do next.
Beat the fleas. Keeping fleas at bay is a great way to prevent your dog from getting worms. Take a look at your flea medication options.
Yep, dogs sometimes eat poop. It’s a gross habit — and can spread parasites — but you’re not the only one with a dog who eats poop.
Types of worms you may find in dog poop
There are several common parasites that can be spotted when they’re in a pet’s vomit or poop. But in some cases, parasites are difficult to see in dog poop. This might be from the poop drying out and the dead worms breaking up. Or it could be because some parasites are too small for you to see.
The most common types of worms that can infect dogs and show up in their poop include roundworms, tapeworms, whipworms, and hookworms. The table below, which is followed by in-depth descriptions, gives a brief overview of what these worms look like.
Worm type | What they look like in dog poop |
|---|---|
Roundworms | Round strings that look a bit like spaghetti |
Tapeworms | White grains of rice or dried rice |
Whipworms | Short strings that have one fat end |
Hookworms | Tiny white or reddish-brown strings |
Roundworms
Roundworms are one of the most common intestinal parasites that dogs get. Like the name implies, roundworms look like round strings when they’re in a dog’s poop. Some people describe them as looking like spaghetti.
Tapeworms
Tapeworms attach to the wall of dogs’ intestines. Dogs can get these parasites from fleas. If you see white worms in your dog’s poop, they’re probably tapeworms.
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Tapeworm segments often look like white grains of rice in dog poop. They can also look like dried rice stuck to the hair around your dog’s butt, back legs, or under their tail. To prevent a tapeworm infection, make sure your dog is on flea prevention medication.
Whipworms
Whipworms can make dogs pretty sick. Whipworms look like short strings that have one fat end. They resemble tiny whips (as the name implies).
You may notice other symptoms — like diarrhea — before you see any signs of whipworms in your dog’s poop.
Hookworms
Hookworms can measure 10 mm to 20 mm long, but they’re still hard to see. You usually can’t see them in dog poop without a microscope. If you do spot them, they’ll look like short bits of string that are either reddish-brown or white in color.
Common symptoms of worms in dog poop
You may notice other signs that your dog has worms besides seeing evidence in their poop.
Always be on the lookout for symptoms of intestinal parasites, such as:
Having diarrhea
Having blood in their poop
Losing weight
Developing anemia, a loss of red blood cells
Having low energy
Being less playful
Seeming cranky (irritable aggression)
Having pale gums or pale insides of the eyelids
Becoming dehydrated or not having enough fluids
Itching or scratching
Scooting their butt on the ground
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Can worms in dogs be fatal?
How long a dog can survive with worms that aren’t treated will depend on the type of worm and the severity of the infection. In rare cases, loss of fluid or dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea can be fatal. This is especially true in puppies and older dogs, who are more vulnerable to the effects of an illness.
Signs of dehydration or a lack of fluid can include:
Having dry-looking gums and tongue
Being less active or playful
Withdrawing from humans or other dogs
What to do if you find worms in your dog’s poop or vomit
If you find worms in your pet’s poop or vomit, or notice other symptoms of parasites, it’s time for a visit to the veterinarian. Whether you can see worms or not, bring a sample of your dog’s poop for testing.
Here are tips for collecting a sample of your dog’s poop:
Collect the poop sample in a clean, disposable container, like a food storage container, plastic bag, or empty pill bottle.
Collect fresh poop right after your dog does their business. Evidence of worms might not show up in old or dried poop.
You don’t have to collect a lot of poop. Just take a few tablespoons or perhaps half of your dog’s normal pile.
Use a clean, disposable tool — like a plastic spoon or tongue depressor — to help with collection.
Label the container with your pet’s name, your last name, and your phone number.
Bring the sample to your veterinarian’s office within an hour of collecting it. If you can’t bring it right away, talk to your vet; you may be able to keep it in the refrigerator for a few hours. Your veterinarian will then do testing to identify any worms.
How do you treat worms in dogs?
Treating your dog for worms depends on the type of parasite they have. Most worms are treated with medications that are given to dogs by mouth. These oral medications come in liquid, tablet, and powder forms.
However, some antiparasitic medications are given topically, or put directly on pets’ skin. Other medications may be injected. It depends on what type of parasite is being treated and where they are located in the body. It can sometimes also depend on a dog’s age and overall health.
Most treatments are given as a single dose that is repeated 2 to 4 weeks later. But your dog may need something different. The number of treatments and the time between them depends on the medication and the type of parasite.
Here are a few other important things to keep in mind about deworming treatments:
Never give a medication labeled for dogs to cats, and never give a medication intended for cats to dogs.
Never give human medication to your pet. To be certain, always check with your veterinarian and double-check the label before giving your dog a new medication.
Make sure you and your veterinarian know how much your pet weighs before they’re prescribed medication. Dosages are usually based on weight and must be precise.
Make sure your dog gets a yearly veterinary exam. Even older pets who stay indoors or are confined to the backyard can pick up worms.
Your vet may recommend regular deworming treatments for your dog. These medications prevent parasites from taking hold in the first place.
How long will a dog poop worms after being dewormed?
The deworming treatment your veterinarian recommends will start to work right away. However, you may not see any dead worms come out in your dog’s poop or vomit. Or your dog might have diarrhea for a few days, and you may see some dead worms.
Most of the time, dogs will not show any sign of being treated for worms. But they will feel a lot better over time and be much healthier, too.
How can you prevent worms in dogs?
Although worms in dogs are treatable, it’s best to prevent them in the first place. Here are some easy things you can do to prevent your pet from getting worms and other internal parasites.
Don’t neglect stool samples
Bring in a fresh stool sample to your veterinarian twice a year to make sure your pet is parasite free. The samples must be collected right after your dog poops and as close to the appointments as possible. Any worms or eggs present in your dog’s poop may break down in old, dry stool samples.
Go for yearly vet check-ups
Bring your dog in for annual veterinary exams, so that health problems are detected early. Your veterinarian will be sure to check your pet for intestinal parasites during the exams. Your vet will also probably recommend giving your dog preventative flea medication to help avoid tapeworms.
Treat your dog if they are pregnant or nursing
If your dog becomes pregnant, ask your veterinarian to test for worms. If your pregnant or nursing dog does have worms, make sure they get treated. Worms can then be activated by hormonal changes during pregnancy and infect your dog. Worms in a mother dog can be passed on to unborn or nursing puppies.
Avoid over-the-counter dewormers
Do not buy over-the-counter deworming medication. Many parasites have become immune to common over-the-counter antiparasitic medications. And most are no longer recommended by veterinarians because they don’t work.
Your veterinarian will be able to give you the best recommendation for worm prevention. Often, that will be a prescription medication.
Stay away from places dogs have gotten sick
If your dog picked up parasites at a dog park or doggy day care center, it would be best not to return there. This is especially true if you know other dogs have gotten sick at the location. Your dog could get repeated infections, since pets can pass parasites back and forth between them.
Wash your hands
Wash your hands often, especially after handling dog poop, and keep your dog’s environment clean.
Worms can be passed between dogs or cats, as well as to humans. But you can prevent worms from spreading by picking up your dog’s poop, whether it’s in your yard or neighborhood. Washing your dog’s bedding and other items regularly is also a good idea.
Can humans get worms from dogs?
Yes, humans can get worms from dogs. Apart from taking precautions to keep your dog from getting worms and treating any parasites they pick up, you can do other things to protect yourself.
The most important step you can take is to wash your hands after picking up dog poop. It can also be helpful to wash your hands after petting dogs and before you eat. And make sure to clean up your dog’s poop regularly and avoid touching things, like soil, that may have poop in them.
The bottom line
Worms are common in pets. In some cases, you may notice signs of parasites in your dog’s poop, but that’s not always the case. Bringing your dog in for yearly veterinary visits — and bringing in two annual poop samples — is the best way to identify and treat worms.
If your dog does get worms, your veterinarian will prescribe them the right medication. In the meantime, be sure to pick up after your dog when they poop. This can help prevent worms from spreading.
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References
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Burke, A. (2024). Whipworms in dogs: Signs, symptoms, treatments. American Kennel Club.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). What causes parasitic diseases.
Companion Animal Parasite Council. (2023). Hookworms.
Paddock, A. (2021). Roundworms in dogs: Symptoms, treatment, and prevention. American Kennel Club.
Peregrine, A. S. (2018). Gastrointestinal parasites of dogs. Merck Veterinary Manual.
Schantz, P. M. (2007). Zoonotic parasitic infections contracted from dogs and cats: How frequent are they? DVM360.
Shelter Medicine School of Veterinary Medicine. (2015). Intestinal parasite control guidelines.
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