How Can You Get Hookworms From Your Dog

A large number of people have been infected with hookworms from their dogs. These worms are transmitted through contact with the dog’s stool. The worms are called hookworms because they can live in the gut for up to a year and then penetrate the skin of humans to cause an infection.

How can a human get hookworms from a dog?

Hookworms can and do infect people, and you can get hookworm from dogs. You’re most likely to get them by walking barefoot through an area where an infected dog has pooped. In this case, hookworm will likely enter your skin first. The first signs of infection include an itchy rash.^[1]

Can I get hookworms from my dog licking me?

Fortunately, most of it doesn’t make us sick, but some can. Parasites like hookworm, roundworm, and giardia can be passed from dog to human through licking.^[2]

Can I get hookworms from my dog sleeping in my bed?

Yes, in short, you can get intestinal worms such as roundworms, tapeworms, or hookworms from your dog sleeping on your bed. This comes down to the fact that intestinal worms are probably the easiest condition that can be passed from your dog to you. This happens through fecal matter.^[3]

What are the signs of hookworms in humans?

Itching and a localized rash are often the first signs of infection. These symptoms occur when the larvae penetrate the skin. A person with a light infection may have no symptoms. A person with a heavy infection may experience abdominal pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue and anemia.^[4]

Can hookworms live in bedding?

If your dog has hookworm, his bedding may contain hookworm larvae, which are transmitted through fecal matter that may be invisible to the eye.^[5]

Can kissing a dog give you worms?

According to WebMD, intestinal parasites like hookworm, roundworm and giardia can be passed from dog to human through licking and kissing, as can ringworm, a fungal skin infection. Salmonella bacteria which causes food poisoning, can also be passed from your dog to you, and vice versa.^[6]

How do humans get rid of hookworms?

Anthelminthic medications (drugs that rid the body of parasitic worms), such as albendazole and mebendazole, are the drugs of choice for treatment of hookworm infections. Infections are generally treated for 1-3 days. The recommended medications are effective and appear to have few side effects.^[7]

How likely is it to get worms from your dog?

In most cases, a person has to ingest parasite-laden feces in order to contract worms from an animal. Good common sense and hygiene greatly reduces the risk, Weese said. “The risk is never zero,” Weese said, “but I’m not convinced it’s any higher for a vet than someone that goes for a walk in the park.”^[8]

Should I treat my yard if my dog has hookworms?

If your pet is infected with hookworm, it’s essential to treat them and remove the hookworm infestation from your yard in order to keep your animals and your family safe.^[9]

What is the fastest way to get rid of hookworms in dogs?

Treating hookworms in dogs requires the intervention of a veterinarian who can prescribe your dog with a dewormer, or anthelmintic. These drugs are usually oral and come with few side effects, but they only kill the adult hookworms.^[10]

Can hookworm eggs live in carpet?

You don’t have to worry about the carpets, the eggs cannot survive long in the environment. Just use a normal hoover and a carpet cleaner.^[11]

How common is it for humans to get hookworms?

Parasites – Hookworm. An estimated 576-740 million people in the world are infected with hookworm. Hookworm was once widespread in the United States, particularly in the southeastern region, but improvements in living conditions have greatly reduced hookworm infections.^[12]