What do parasite eggs look like in dog poop?

By Deanne

May 8, 2026

Parasite eggs in dog poop are usually too small to see with the naked eye. Most intestinal worm eggs are microscopic and are identified by a vet using a faeces sample.

But you could actually be spotting the worms or segments.

Here are all the common worms your dog might get in UK and what they look like in dog poo.

• Roundworms look like pale spaghetti strands, a few inches long.
• Tapeworm segments look like small white rice grains or sesame seeds, often stuck to poop or around the anus.
• Hookworms and whipworms usually not visible at all; their eggs are microscopic.

You could have mistaken undigested rice or grains, mucus or plant material for parasite eggs. Or maybe it's fly eggs or insect larvae that appeared after the poop sat outside.

Signs that can go along with intestinal parasites include:

1. Diarrhoea
2. Weight loss
3. Bloated belly
4. Scooting
5. Vomiting
6. Dull coat
7. Worms visible in stool or vomit

If you suspect parasites, the best next step is to try worming treatment which kills all parasitic intestinal worms in dogs like the Itch Wormer Tablets. Some dog parasites can spread to humans, especially children, so wash hands after handling stool and keep up with regular deworming/flea prevention.

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What do parasite eggs look like in dog poop?