What are intestinal worms?

How often should I worm my pet?
We recommend worming puppies and kittens for intestinal worms every 2 weeks until 3 months of age and then once a month until 6 months old. As an adult they need worming for intestinal worms every 3 months for life.
It is important that dogs and cats that hunt lizards should also be treated every 3 months for spirometra tapeworm.

What worms can infect my pet?
Heartworm is a worm that is spread by mosquitoes and can cause a life threatening heart failure and lung disease in dogs. Heartworm infection does occur in cats but is very rare.

There are a number of intestinal worms that infect both dogs and cats. These include roundworm, hookworm, whipworm, the common tapeworm and spirometra tapeworm. Depending on the infection these worms can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and weight loss. Hookworm infection can cause a severe life threatening anaemia, especially in young puppies.

Can I catch worms from my pet?
Some intestinal worms, such as roundworm and hookworm, can infect people so we strongly recommend regularly worming your pet. In addition, regularly cleaning up the yard or kitty litter, washing your hands after handling your pet and avoiding any kisses from them will help to prevent you becoming infected with any of their worms. It also very important to educate your children about hygiene with pets.