Pet parents must take care of many things to keep their pets healthy, like choosing the right food and regularly taking them to the vet for health checkups. Worm infections are one of the most serious issues pet parents need to look out for. Several types of worms can infect pets and make them severely ill. So here is a guide explaining some common ways pets can be protected and treated from worm infections.

How do pets get worms?

To know how to prevent pets from getting worms, all pet parents first need to know how pets usually get worms. This information can help them keep their pets away from most possible risks. So here are a few common ways in which pets can get worms:

1. The environment

One of the most common ways pets get worms is through a contaminated environment. This includes contaminated soil, which could be harboring parasitic creatures. If the pets play in this soil or merely come into contact with it, worms in the soil could latch onto their fur and burrow deeper into their skin. Secondly, the contaminated environment also comprises the feces of other animals harboring worms. So, if certain pets are particularly interested in the feces they find outdoors, they could be at a high risk of ingesting intestinal worms.

1. Their mother

If a pet’s mother is infected with worms, the pet itself could become infected with them when in the womb. Pets could even get worms through their mother’s milk if the mother were infected then. This is why pregnant pets need to be treated for parasites.

1. Fleas

Fleas are a huge problem for pets for multiple reasons. One of these reasons is that those parasites could be harboring another type of parasite, which is tapeworms. Since fleas cause pets a lot of skin irritation, they lick their skin to soothe the irritation. In doing so, the pets might just swallow the fleas and, consequently, the worms.

1. Contact with wild or stray animals

Pets such as cats and dogs can be very interested in hunting wild animals—especially small ones like mice. However, there is a high chance that these wild animals could be infected with worms, so if a pet eats them, it will get worms. This goes for dead mice and other dead wild animals, too. Their bodies could be harboring worms and other parasites. So, if a pet gets too close to those animals, it might accidentally ingest the worms and get infected.

Ways to treat and prevent worms in pets

The following are a few ways in which pet owners can treat and prevent worms in pets:

1. Regular checkups

One of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent worm infections in pets is by taking them to the vet for regular checkups. The vet may conduct routine tests, such as stool tests, to check for any possible infections. The vet may conduct a blood test for certain types of worms, such as heartworms.

1. Using parasite control products

Several parasite control products are available for pets in different forms, such as oral chews and treatment options. Pet parents can consult their vet about which product is best suited for their pets and use it accordingly. Such products work for various types of parasites, including worms and fleas.

1. Maintaining a clean environment

Maintaining a clean environment is one of the most important steps for preventing pet worm infections. Individuals can do this by keeping their yard clean of any feces from wild or stray animals before letting their pets roam there. One must also ensure they have proper safety features installed to keep wild and stray animals out of their yard. Individuals must also wash their hands properly before handling their pets and food. They must also convey this to their family, especially children, who are most likely to play in the soil. Pet owners must also clean their pets’ stools as soon as possible.

1. Keeping the pets away from wild and stray animals

If a pet is particularly interested in wild animals, especially hunting them, pet parents need to be extra careful. They must prevent their pets from coming into contact with rodents and wild animals and from getting too close to the feces of other animals, especially when on a walk or in a park.

1. Checking for fleas

Since fleas can be carriers of tapeworms, pet owners need to check their pets’ fur for fleas regularly. They must also be given regular baths and have their coats brushed regularly to check for fleas. Individuals must also conduct thorough sanitation of places where fleas are most likely to breed, such as rugs and pet bedding. And if they do notice fleas on their pets, they must consult the vet as soon as possible.