Which worms
| Parasite | Source | Signs | Passes to people? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roundworm | Mother, soil, faeces | Pot belly, diarrhoea, poor coat in the young | Yes (especially children) |
| Hookworm | Soil, skin contact | Anaemia, dark stools, weight loss | Yes (skin) |
| Tapeworm | Swallowed fleas, rodents | Rice-grain segments around the anus | Rarely |
| Whipworm | Soil | Chronic bloody diarrhoea | No |
| Heartworm | Mosquito bite | Cough, breathlessness, heart failure | No |
Heartworm needs a different preventive; see our heartworm article.
Schedule
- Puppies and kittens: from 2 to 3 weeks old, every 2 weeks until 12 weeks, then monthly until 6 months.
- Adults: every 3 months. If you use a monthly combined spot-on or chew that also covers fleas, ticks and heartworm, separate deworming is not needed.
- Pregnant and nursing animals: as directed by the vet, because some products are unsuitable.
- Raw-fed, outdoor or hunting pets: monthly.
Common myths
- Indoor cats do not need it? Roundworm eggs come in on shoes and clothing, and fleas carry tapeworm. Indoor cats still need treatment every 3 months.
- No worms seen means no worms? Most parasites are invisible in the stool; eggs are found under the microscope.
- One tablet does everything? Traditional wormers do not cover fleas or heartworm. Combined products do; we can recommend one for your pet's weight and lifestyle.
When to bring a stool sample
Ongoing diarrhoea, blood or mucus in the stool, weight loss, or a pot-bellied puppy or kitten: bring a fresh sample from the same day (thumb-sized, in a bag or container) and we check it under the microscope with same-day results.
Risk to people
Roundworm and hookworm can infect humans, especially children. Regular deworming, hand washing after cleaning up, and not walking barefoot on soil keep the risk very low.