Unlike other intestinal parasites, dogs cannot become infected by eating fertilized tapeworm eggs. Tapeworms must first pass through an intermediate host (a flea) before they can infect a dog.
Do tapeworms only come from fleas?
Fleas are the intermediate host for tapeworm. In other words, the tapeworm is unable to complete its life cycle without the presence of fleas in the environment. Regardless of whether the owner has seen fleas on the cat, or in the home, the cat must have ingested a flea in order to have tapeworms.
Does tapeworm mean my dog has fleas?
Dogs most often get tapeworms by eating fleas. Fleas are the intermediate host of the flea tapeworm. This means tapeworms must first live inside of a flea before they can be passed to your dog. When your dog has a flea on their body, they will chew at their skin to relieve the itch.
What is a common way for dogs to get tapeworms?
Where Do They Come From? There are different kinds of tapeworms, but the most common one is caused by swallowing a tiny infected flea. Fleas can carry the tapeworm's larvae or babies. If your dog swallows it -- maybe while grooming himself -- an adult tapeworm can grow inside your dog's intestines.
How easy is it to get tapeworms from dogs?
Actually, you cannot catch tapeworm directly from your dog, but you can become infected by coming into contact with tapeworm eggs. One of the most common routes of infection is through contact with an infected animal"s faeces, gardening, clearing ground or playing in a sandpit.
