For most of us, worming the dog or cat sits somewhere near the bottom of the to-do list, a job we vaguely remember doing “sometime last season”. But intestinal worms are common in Australian pets, many infections cause no obvious signs, and a few of these parasites can also spread to the people in your home. That matters most in households with young children, older relatives, pregnant women or anyone with a weakened immune system. The good news is that protecting your pet and your family at the same time is cheap and simple once you understand how these worms work.
The worms Aussie dogs and cats actually get
There are four main intestinal worms that Australian dogs and cats encounter:
- Roundworm (Toxocara and Toxascaris) is very common in puppies and kittens, which can be infected before birth (puppies) or through their mother’s milk. Eggs passed in faeces are tough and can survive in soil for a long time.
- Hookworm attaches to the gut wall and feeds on blood, which can cause anaemia, especially in young animals. Larvae in contaminated soil or sand can also burrow through skin.
- Whipworm lives in the large intestine of dogs and can cause ongoing diarrhoea. It is generally considered a low human-health risk.
- Tapeworm comes in several types. The common flea tapeworm is spread when a pet swallows an infected flea while grooming, which is why worming and flea control go hand in hand.
Most “all-wormer” products sold in Australia cover roundworm, hookworm and tapeworm, and the dog products usually cover whipworm too. Check the label, because not every product covers every worm, and some parasite combination products leave out tapeworm.
The risk owners underestimate: worms and your family
Parasites that can pass from animals to people are called zoonotic. A pet can look perfectly healthy and still be shedding microscopic worm eggs into the backyard, the sandpit or the patch of lawn where your toddler plays. People are usually infected through contact with contaminated soil, sand or faeces rather than through cuddles.
- Roundworm. If a person accidentally swallows roundworm eggs, usually from dirty hands, the larvae can wander through the body. This is called toxocariasis. It is uncommon, but it can cause fever, cough or wheezing and, in some cases, eye problems and vision loss. Young children are most at risk because they play in soil and put their hands in their mouths.
- Hookworm. Dog hookworm larvae in soil or sand can burrow into bare skin, causing an itchy, red, wandering rash sometimes called “creeping eruption”. Walking barefoot or sitting on contaminated ground is the usual route.
- Hydatid tapeworm. This is the most serious tapeworm in Australia for people. Dogs become infected by eating raw offal or carcasses from infected animals, especially sheep, kangaroos and wallabies. If a person swallows eggs from an infected dog’s faeces, cysts can form in the liver, lungs or other organs. Victoria’s Better Health Channel advises never feeding raw or cooked offal to dogs, including offal from a supermarket or butcher, and keeping dogs away from carcasses.
For a typical suburban pet on commercial food, hydatid risk is very low. It is a real consideration for farm dogs, working dogs and pets in rural areas that can reach carcasses or are fed raw offal.
The point is not to panic. Serious human infections are uncommon in Australia. It is to recognise that routine worming and simple hygiene quietly protect everyone in the home. Cats carry other parasites that matter to people too. See our guide to toxoplasmosis, cats and pregnancy.
How often should you worm your dog or cat?
Always confirm the right product and timing with your vet, but here is the general picture in Australia.
| Age or situation | Typical worming frequency |
|---|---|
| Puppies and kittens | Every 2 weeks from about 2 weeks of age until 12 weeks |
| 3 to 6 months | Monthly |
| Adult dogs and cats (minimum) | At least every 3 months, for life |
| Higher-risk households and pets | Monthly is increasingly recommended |
| Pregnant or nursing pets | As directed by your vet, using a product safe for pregnancy |
The three-monthly adult schedule has long been the standard advice on Australian product labels. More recently, Australian zoonoses guidelines developed by an expert panel of veterinary and human health specialists have recommended monthly worming against roundworm and hookworm for dogs and cats after the puppy and kitten stage, along with year-round flea control. As parasitologist Professor Rebecca Traub explains in The Veterinarian, the aim of monthly treatment is to stop worm eggs being shed into the environment where they can infect people. It also suits whipworm, which can mature faster than a three-month gap.
Monthly worming makes most sense if you have young children or immunocompromised people at home, a cat that hunts, or a dog that scavenges, eats poo or visits busy dog parks. Many monthly flea, tick and heartworm combination products already include roundworm and hookworm cover, so you may be closer to monthly worming than you think. Your vet can help you build a simple plan. Our guide to reviewing your pet’s parasite plan walks through the options.
Do indoor cats need worming?
Yes. Indoor cats can still be exposed through fleas brought in on people or other pets, through hunting insects, lizards or the odd mouse, and through contact with other animals. The Australian zoonoses guidelines recommend regular worming and year-round flea control for all cats, whether or not they go outside.
Worms do not take a winter break
It is a common assumption that parasites go quiet when the weather cools. That is partly true for some outdoor pests, but intestinal worms live inside your pet, and roundworm eggs are hardy enough to survive in backyard soil for months, ready to reinfect a sniffing, digging dog long after summer ends. Keep worming on schedule all year. The same goes for fleas, which shelter in warm homes through winter. See our guide to year-round flea prevention.
Simple habits that lower the risk
- Pick up dog poo promptly, in the yard and on walks. Roundworm and hookworm eggs need one to three weeks in the environment before they become infective, so prompt pick-up breaks the cycle.
- Clean litter trays daily and wash your hands afterwards.
- Wash hands after gardening, handling pets or playing outside, and teach children to do the same, especially before eating.
- Cover sandpits when not in use so they do not become a toilet for visiting cats and dogs.
- Wear shoes and use a towel or mat when sitting on lawns and sand where dogs toilet.
- Stay on top of flea control, since fleas spread tapeworm.
- Keep every pet in the house on the same schedule. Treating one and not the others leaves a gap.
- Do not feed raw offal, and keep dogs away from carcasses, particularly in rural areas.
Taking the dog interstate or to the country? Parasite risks change with location. Our guide to parasite risks when travelling with your dog covers what to check. Heartworm is a separate parasite spread by mosquitoes and needs its own prevention, explained in our heartworm guide.
Signs your pet may have worms
Many pets show no signs at all, which is why routine worming matters more than waiting for symptoms. When signs do appear, they can include:
- Visible worms, or small rice-like segments in faeces or stuck to the fur near the tail
- Scooting along the ground
- Diarrhoea, sometimes with blood or mucus, or vomiting
- A pot-bellied appearance, especially in puppies and kittens
- Weight loss, poor growth or a dull coat
- Pale gums, weakness or lethargy, which can signal anaemia from hookworm
These signs can have other causes too. Book a vet visit if you notice any of them. A simple faecal test can confirm what is going on. If you are worried about a person’s health, speak to your GP.
Frequently asked questions
Can I really catch worms from my dog or cat?
Some intestinal worms can pass to people, usually through contact with contaminated soil, sand or faeces rather than direct contact with your pet. Regular worming and good hygiene make the risk very low.
How often should an adult dog or cat be wormed?
At least every three months. Monthly worming is increasingly recommended, particularly for homes with young children or vulnerable people, cats that hunt and dogs that scavenge. Ask your vet what suits your household.
Do I need a separate product for each worm?
Usually not. Most all-wormers cover the main intestinal worms in one dose, but check the label, as some combination parasite products do not include tapeworm cover.
Are worming treatments safe?
Worming products registered for use in Australia are widely used and generally well tolerated when given at the correct dose for your pet’s weight. Weigh your pet rather than guessing, never use a dog product on a cat, and ask your vet if you are unsure.
Is worming safe if my pet is pregnant?
Some wormers are safe in pregnancy and are recommended to reduce worms passing to puppies or kittens, but not all products are suitable. Always check with your vet before worming a pregnant or nursing pet.
Key takeaways
- Roundworm, hookworm, whipworm and tapeworm are common in Australian pets, and many infected pets look perfectly healthy.
- Roundworm, hookworm and hydatid tapeworm can affect people, especially children and vulnerable adults.
- Worm puppies and kittens every two weeks until 12 weeks, monthly to six months, then at least every three months for life. Monthly is often recommended for higher-risk households.
- Worms do not stop in winter. Keep worming and flea control going all year, for every pet in the home.
- Prompt poo pick-up, daily litter cleaning, hand washing and covered sandpits work alongside worming, not instead of it.
- Never feed raw offal to dogs, and ask your vet for a plan suited to your pet’s age, lifestyle and location.
This article is general information for Australian pet owners and is not a substitute for advice from a registered veterinarian. If your pet is unwell, contact your vet, and see your GP about any concerns for your own health.
