Quick answer
Key points
- Toxocara roundworms from cats and dogs can cause toxocariasis in people, especially children who play in soil.
- Kittens and puppies can catch worms from their mother, so worm control starts when they are a few weeks old.
- Roundworm eggs can survive and stay infective in soil for years.
- A vet should set the deworming schedule and product, based on the animal's age, lifestyle and risk.
- Picking up pet faeces promptly, washing hands and wearing footwear all lower the risk to people.
When should you see a vet?
- Go to a vet immediately if a kitten or puppy is very weak, has a swollen, painful belly, keeps vomiting or has bloody diarrhoea.
- An animal that looks weak and pale, which can mean anaemia from hookworms.
- A pot belly, thin body, dull coat or poor growth.
- Spaghetti-like worms in vomit or faeces.
- Small segments like grains of rice around the bottom or in faeces, or frequent scooting.
- Coughing or breathing problems in kittens and puppies.
Contact your nearest veterinarian or animal clinic. This site cannot assess your animal’s condition. Choosing a vet
In this guide (10)
Which worms commonly affect cats and dogs?
The most common intestinal worms in cats and dogs are roundworms (Toxocara), hookworms (Ancylostoma) and tapeworms (Dipylidium caninum). Toxocara canis infects dogs and Toxocara cati infects cats, and both can infect people. Hookworms can cause bloody diarrhoea and anaemia. One species, Ancylostoma braziliense, is found in the wet tropics, including Indonesia. The tapeworm Dipylidium caninum infects dogs and cats when they swallow a flea carrying its larvae. This is why flea control is also an important part of preventing worms. All of these worms occur worldwide, including in hot, humid regions.
Roundworms are also common in pet cats in Indonesia. An IPB University study in Bogor found Toxocara cati infection in 85 of 243 pet cats examined, or about 35%. Deworming, type of food, providing sand for toileting and the cat's sex were among the factors linked to infection. The researchers concluded that the rate remained high even though cats were generally well cared for. In other words, even well-kept cats still need regular worm checks and prevention planned with a vet.
Evidence: TroCCAP — Canine guidelines: Roundworms ↗ · TroCCAP — Feline guidelines: Ascarids ↗ · TroCCAP — Canine guidelines: Hookworms ↗ · CDC — About Dog or Cat Tapeworm Infection (Dipylidium) ↗ · TroCCAP — Canine guidelines: Flea tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum) ↗ · Jurnal Kedokteran Hewan (Murniati, Sudarnika & Ridwan, IPB) — Prevalensi dan Faktor Risiko Infeksi Toxocara cati pada Kucing Peliharaan di Kota Bogor ↗
What are the signs of worms in cats and dogs?
Adult animals with worms often show no signs, but kittens and puppies may look thin and pot-bellied, with a dull coat, vomiting or diarrhoea. Adult roundworms are sometimes seen in vomit or faeces; they are cream-coloured and look like spaghetti. Heavy infections in young animals can block the gut and be fatal. Hookworms can cause bloody diarrhoea, anaemia and even death in puppies. Tapeworms often cause no signs, but their segments, which look like grains of rice, may be seen around the bottom, and the animal may scoot along the floor. Finding no eggs in a faecal sample does not always mean the animal is free of worms.
Evidence: Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) — Ascarid ↗ · TroCCAP — Feline guidelines: Ascarids ↗ · TroCCAP — Canine guidelines: Roundworms ↗ · TroCCAP — Canine guidelines: Hookworms ↗ · TroCCAP — Canine guidelines: Flea tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum) ↗ · CDC — About Dog or Cat Tapeworm Infection (Dipylidium) ↗
Can worms from cats and dogs infect people?
Yes, Toxocara roundworms and hookworms from cats and dogs can infect people, and children are most at risk. Toxocariasis happens when roundworm eggs from animal faeces are swallowed via soil or dirty hands. The larvae can travel to the liver, lungs, brain or eyes, causing fever, cough, stomach pain, vision problems and even blindness. Hookworm larvae can burrow into the skin when people walk barefoot on contaminated soil or sand, leaving very itchy red tracks. In Asia, dogs are also a source of the hookworm Ancylostoma ceylanicum, which can infect the human gut. If symptoms appear, see a doctor or health facility.
Evidence: CDC — About Toxocariasis ↗ · TroCCAP — Canine guidelines: Roundworms ↗ · CDC — About Zoonotic Hookworm ↗ · TroCCAP — Canine guidelines: Hookworms ↗ · International Cat Care — Toxocara cati in cats and people ↗
Why do kittens and puppies get worms so easily?
Kittens and puppies can catch worms from their mother, even before birth or through her milk. In dogs, Toxocara canis larvae can pass from the mother to the unborn puppies. These larvae can also lie dormant in the mother's tissues and reactivate during pregnancy, so a mother that seems worm-free can still pass them on. In cats, Toxocara cati can pass through the mother's milk. Puppies can also pick up hookworms through milk. Severe signs can appear very early, even in puppies 10 days old or kittens 3 weeks old. This is why pregnant and nursing mothers also need to be checked and treated as a vet advises.
Evidence: Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) — Ascarid ↗ · TroCCAP — Canine guidelines: Roundworms ↗ · TroCCAP — Canine guidelines: Hookworms ↗ · TroCCAP — Feline guidelines: Ascarids ↗ · International Cat Care — Toxocara cati in cats and people ↗
How often should cats and dogs be dewormed?
A vet should set the deworming schedule, because each animal's needs vary with age, pregnancy, lifestyle and the worms found locally. The TroCCAP parasite guidelines for the tropics advise starting puppies at 2 weeks of age and kittens at about 3 weeks, then repeating every 2 weeks. After that, TroCCAP advises routine worm control for adult animals, generally every month. Each product works against particular worms, and the amount must be right, so do not guess. Your vet can also check faecal samples regularly, for example at vaccination visits, to see whether the prevention plan is working.
Evidence: TroCCAP — Canine guidelines: Roundworms ↗ · TroCCAP — Feline guidelines: Ascarids ↗ · TroCCAP — Canine guidelines: Hookworms ↗ · Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) — Ascarid ↗
How can you stop worms spreading at home?
The most important steps are removing pet faeces promptly, keeping hands clean and controlling fleas. Roundworm eggs need 2–4 weeks in the environment to become infective, but after that they can survive in soil for years. So pick up your pet's faeces every time, then bury it or bag it and put it in the bin. Clean cat litter trays regularly and cover children's sandpits so cats cannot use them as toilets. Wash your hands after handling animals, gardening or playing outside. Teach children not to eat soil, and wear footwear on soil or sand that may be contaminated with animal faeces.
Evidence: Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) — Ascarid ↗ · CDC — About Toxocariasis ↗ · International Cat Care — Toxocara cati in cats and people ↗ · CDC — About Zoonotic Hookworm ↗ · CDC — About Dog or Cat Tapeworm Infection (Dipylidium) ↗
Sources & references
- TroCCAP — Canine guidelines: Roundworms ↗
- TroCCAP — Feline guidelines: Ascarids ↗
- TroCCAP — Canine guidelines: Hookworms ↗
- CDC — About Dog or Cat Tapeworm Infection (Dipylidium) ↗
- TroCCAP — Canine guidelines: Flea tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum) ↗
- Jurnal Kedokteran Hewan (Murniati, Sudarnika & Ridwan, IPB) — Prevalensi dan Faktor Risiko Infeksi Toxocara cati pada Kucing Peliharaan di Kota Bogor ↗
- Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) — Ascarid ↗
- CDC — About Toxocariasis ↗
- CDC — About Zoonotic Hookworm ↗
- International Cat Care — Toxocara cati in cats and people ↗
References can change. Check dates and context in the original source.
Cite this page
PanduanHewan. (2026, 25 September). Worms in cats and dogs: types, risks and prevention. PanduanHewan.org. https://panduanhewan.org/en/pet-health/worms-in-cats-and-dogs/