Yes, humans can contract worms from cats and dogs, including roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms. Here's what you need to know. Most pet owners only think of their pet's welfare when they treat worms. It's important to know, however, that worms can also pose a health risk for you and your family.
How do I know if I got worms from my cat?
Small segments break off and are passed in your pet's feces. These segments, which can sometimes be seen moving, are actually packets of tapeworm eggs. If your pet has tapeworms, you may see tiny white segments that look like grains of rice slowly moving around their waste or stuck to their back end.
How likely is it to get worms from your cat?
The transmission of intestinal parasites from pets to humans, predominantly children, is something we've been aware of for a long while. But until recently, quality information - backed by good science - was unavailable. Numerically, the odds of you or your children getting worms from your dog or cat are quite low.
What happens if humans get worms from cats?
Feline roundworms can infect humans, especially children If accidentally ingested, the worms can migrate to organs such as the liver, lungs, brain or eyes, where the human body generates an immune response to try to wall them off and prevent them from moving any further.
What are the symptoms of worms in humans from dogs?
One of the reasons hookworm infections are often ignored is that the first and most common symptom is just an itchy rash on the area where the worm penetrated the skin. If left untreated, however, hookworms can cause fever, diarrhea, wheezing, and anemia. Severe infections can lead to heart failure.
More useful articles on a similar topic 👇
How long do worms stay alive in dog poop?Can fleas cause tapeworms in dogs?
