The short answer is yes, many worms infesting dogs are zoonotic, meaning they can be transmitted from animals to humans. Different worms cause different diseases, and each have their own symptoms. So, look after yourself and look out for the signs.
How likely is it to get worms from your dog?
Numerically, the odds of you or your children getting worms from your dog or cat are quite low.
How do I know if I got worms from my dog?
An itchy rash at the point of penetration is the most obvious of the symptoms of a hookworm infection. Winding red trails may also be visible as the worm eats a path for itself under the skin. Severe cases may cause diarrhea, and can lead to weight loss and anemia.
What happens if your dog gives you worms?
Roundworms do pose a significant risk to humans. Contact with contaminated soil or dog feces can result in human ingestion and infection. Roundworm eggs may accumulate in significant numbers in the soil where pets deposit feces. Once infected, the worms can cause eye, lung, heart and neurologic signs in people.
Can I catch worms from my dog?
Yes, humans can catch roundworms, hookworms and whipworms from dogs but it's unusual. Like their pets, people can be infected through contaminated soil. In theory, tapeworms can also be contracted by inadvertently eating an infected flea, although only a handful of cases have ever been reported.
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