Intestinal Worms in Dogs and Cats

Protecting your pets — and your family — from hidden parasites

Intestinal worms are a common but serious health risk for pets — especially puppies and kittens. These parasites live inside your pet’s digestive system and, if left untreated, can cause weight loss, illness, and in severe cases, even death.

There are two broad categories of worms affecting pets: heartworm (covered here) and intestinal worms, which we’ll focus on below.

Common intestinal worms in Australian pets

• Roundworm
• Tapeworm (including flea-transmitted varieties)
• Whipworm
• Hookworm

These worms can vary greatly in size — some growing up to 18cm long — but all can cause significant harm to your pet’s health, especially in young animals.

How do worms affect your pet?

Pets with a high worm burden may:

• Struggle to maintain body condition
• Lose weight despite a normal appetite
• Develop vomiting or diarrhoea
• Show signs of lethargy or a dull coat
• Experience anaemia or weakness (especially in puppies and kittens)

In rare but serious cases, worms can cause intestinal blockages or death.

Worms and their life cycles

Many intestinal worms have complex life cycles involving intermediate hosts (such as fleas or rodents), or time spent developing in the environment.

For example:

• Tapeworms may require fleas to complete their lifecycle — which means flea control is also worm control.
• Hookworm larvae can infect pets through contact with contaminated soil.

Understanding these life cycles helps us design effective prevention plans to break the cycle of reinfection.

Worming treatment and prevention

Worming should be a routine part of your pet’s healthcare plan. Treatments are available as:

• Tablets
• Spot-on solutions
• Pastes or chews

Regular worming helps:

• Prevent serious illness in your pet
• Protect your household (especially children) from zoonotic transmission
• Reduce environmental contamination in your home and community

Worming schedule basics:

• Puppies and kittens: every 2 weeks until 12 weeks of age, then monthly until 6 months
• Adult pets: every 3 months, or as advised by your vet
• Pregnant pets: may require a special worming plan

📞 Need help designing a worming program for your pet?
Call us on (03) 5333 5959 or book online.

Tips for reducing worm risks at home:

• Pick up pet faeces promptly (especially in shared areas or sandpits)
• Keep your yard clean and avoid overcrowding with animals
• Practice good hygiene: wash hands after playing with pets or outdoors
• Don’t allow children to play in areas where pets toilet
• Always dispose of dog waste in parks or public spaces responsibly

Intestinal worms are easy to prevent — but can be costly if left untreated. We’re here to help you keep your pet, your home, and your family safe.