The Danger of Dog & Cat Worms to Children

Dogs and cats are popular pets for children, and these animals typically coexist well in homes with kids. But cats and dogs can carry intestinal worms that can be transmitted to children and cause health problems.

Types

• The most common types of worms transmitted to children from dogs and cats are roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms.

Transmission

• Roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms live in animals' intestinal tracts and are spread via contaminated feces. Children can get roundworms when they put their contaminated hands into their mouths and ingest the eggs. Kids can catch hookworms by ingesting them or when the parasites penetrate the skin of their buttocks or soles of their feet. Children can catch tapeworms if they accidentally ingest infected fleas.

Roundworm Dangers

• Roundworm eggs hatch in human intestines, and the larvae are released into the bloodstream. These parasites travel throughout the body, including to the heart, liver, lungs, eyes and brain. Roundworms can cause enlarged liver, anemia, abdominal pain, pneumonitis and, rarely, blindness.

Hookworm Dangers

• Hookworms attach to the walls of human intestines and drain children of vital nutrients. They can cause anemia, diarrhea, malnutrition, intestinal bleeding and abdominal pains.

Tapeworm Dangers

• Tapeworms crawl around the anus and on top of bowel movements. They can cause serious liver disease in children.

Prevention

• To prevent the spread of dog and cat worms, teach kids to wash their hands after handling animals, and keep indoor pet areas sanitized. Have pets treated for worms and fleas as needed, and do not allow children to walk outside with bare feet.