tapeworms in dogs and cats

Recognize tapeworm symptoms in dogs and cats, plus find out what helps treat a tapeworm infection.

Seeing tapeworm eggs or segments in your pet’s poop or under their tail? They need a trip to the vet.

How to identify and treat tapeworm

Pets (and people!) can contract tapeworms by accidentally eating tapeworm eggs, tapeworm segments, wildlife that are infected with tapeworms, or contaminated fleas or flea larvae. Remember that dogs and cats use their mouths and teeth to scratch at fleas, so they often end up swallowing fleas and getting themselves infected with tapeworms.

The lowdown on tapeworms

Dipylidium caninum, or flea tapeworms, are long, ribbony parasitic worms that attach to the lining of an animal’s intestine to feed.

A tapeworm’s body is made up of a head, neck, and a series of detachable segments called proglottids. They don’t have a real mouth. Instead, they attach their head to the intestinal wall with hooklike suckers to drain out blood and other nutrients. 

A tapeworm’s tail proglottids carry tapeworm eggs. As these segments break free, they’re carried back out into the world through infected animal poo. 

Do pets get tapeworm from tapeworm segments?

Both tapeworm eggs and segments can be contagious. However, tapeworms typically spread in pets by ingesting tapeworm eggs carried by contaminated fleas.

Fleas pick up tapeworm larvae from contaminated feces. Once they land on your pet, a cat can easily lick up infected fleas while grooming, or a dog may swallow them while biting at an itch.

Once inside a mammal, the tapeworms travel through the body and attach to the inside of the intestines to feed and grow. Mature tapeworms then shed out eggs and squiggly bits of themselves to continue the cycle. 

Tapeworm symptoms in dogs and cats

The most common symptoms of tapeworms in pets are tiny white eggs or proglottids in their poop. They may also vomit worms or have small, squirming tapeworm bits under their tail.

Can people get tapeworm from dogs or cats?

Tapeworm is a zoonotic disease, which means it affects people and pets.

However, people cannot catch tapeworm just from touching or being licked by an infected animal. You need to actually ingest tapeworm eggs, tapeworm proglottids, or infected fleas.

The main way people pick up tapeworms (and other parasites and pathogens) is by not using good hygiene after handling contaminated pet waste or soil. Always wash your hands thoroughly after touching animals or pet poop in any form!

If you suspect you or other members of your human family have a tapeworm, please talk to your doctor.

Organic and natural remedies for tapeworm 

You may find a number of suggested solutions on the internet, but there is no proof that organic or natural home “remedies” like turmeric or pumpkin seeds will help treat or prevent tapeworm in pets. Some of these “cures” can actually hurt your pet. 

If your pet is infected, see your veterinary team for trusted and effective deworming medication.

Tips for tapeworm prevention 

Preventing tapeworm with effective parasite control is much easier on your pet’s body than dealing with an infestation after it’s begun. Ask your veterinary team what they recommend for your pet’s species, location, and lifestyle.

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