Table of Contents
Has my dog got worms?
How can my dog get worms?
Signs your dog’s got worms
What if you don’t treat worms?
Can I catch worms from my dog?
How to get rid of worms
First month flea FREE (*£2.99 P&P first month only)
Speedy same day dispatch**
9+ million flea & worm packs sold
Tailored to your pet
Blog Home
Flea
Ticks
Worming
Itch News
Itch Insights
Q&A
What happens if my dog has worms for a long time?
- By Hannah
-
- June 30, 2025
- 3 MIN READ
No one likes to talk about worms. But someone’s got to, especially if they are infesting your pet for a long period of time. Keep reading to find out how to remove worms from your pet.
Has my dog got worms?
You might think you’d know straight away if your dog had worms, but it’s not always that obvious. Some dogs can have a worm infestation for months without showing clear signs, especially if they’re strong, healthy types.
There are a few different kinds of worms your dog might pick up:
-
Roundworms – the most common sort, especially in puppies.
-
Tapeworms – those long, flat ones you sometimes spot in poo.
-
Hookworms and whipworms – less common in the UK but still a risk.
-
Heartworms – the really nasty ones that can be life-threatening.
How can my dog get worms?
Worms can be picked up from soil, faeces, raw meat, fleas, and even slugs and snails (that’s how lungworm spreads).
Signs your dog’s got worms
Sometimes the signs are dead obvious—like spaghetti-looking worms in their poo or wriggly bits around their bottom. But other times, it’s a bit more subtle. You might notice:
-
Weight loss despite a good appetite
-
A bloated belly (especially in pups)
-
Low energy or a dull coat
-
Scooting (dragging their bum on the floor)
-
Vomiting or diarrhoea
-
Coughing (a possible sign of lungworm)
-
Itchy bottom
What if you don’t treat worms?
Now here’s where things get serious. If your dog has worms and it’s left untreated for weeks or even months, they can develop a range of health problems. It’s not just a bit of a nuisance—this can really affect their quality of life, and in some cases, it can even be fatal.
-
Nutritional deficiencies
Worms live off your dog’s food—literally. They steal nutrients, leaving your dog with less to absorb. Over time, this can lead to malnutrition, especially in growing puppies or elderly dogs who need all the goodness they can get. You'll start to see signs like poor coat condition, tiredness, and weight loss.
-
Digestive problems
Some worms, like roundworms, can grow large enough to cause blockages in your dog’s intestines. This can be incredibly painful and potentially life-threatening if not treated quickly. Even smaller infestations can cause ongoing diarrhoea, vomiting, and discomfort.
-
Organ damage
In serious cases, certain worms can travel to other parts of the body. Roundworm larvae, for example, can migrate through organs like the liver or lungs, causing inflammation and long-term damage. Lungworm, as the name suggests, affects the lungs and heart, and it can be fatal if not caught early.
-
Anaemia
Hookworms, in particular, latch onto the walls of the intestine and feed on blood. If there are enough of them, your dog can become anaemic. That means low red blood cell count—leading to weakness, pale gums, and in severe cases, collapse.
-
Impact on puppies
Puppies are especially vulnerable. Worms can be passed on from mum to pup, either during pregnancy or through milk. An untreated infestation in a puppy can stunt their growth, weaken their immune system, and even cause death in extreme cases. Here's a guide on when to worm your puppy.
Can I catch worms from my dog?
Yes—some dog worms are zoonotic, which means they can be passed to humans. Children are particularly at risk because they’re more likely to play in dirt or touch faeces without washing their hands properly.
In humans, roundworm larvae can cause problems in the eyes or organs (known as toxocariasis), though this is quite rare. Still, it’s not worth the risk—especially if you’ve got little ones crawling around the garden.
How to get rid of worms
Thankfully, worming your dog is straightforward. Most vets recommend worming every 3 months, though puppies and higher-risk dogs (like those who eat raw food or are exposed to slugs/snails) might need it more often.
You can get worming tablets, spot-on treatments, or even injections. Always go for something from your vet or a reputable source—those bargain tablets from the internet might not be effective.
And don’t forget the hygiene side of things:
-
Pick up poo promptly—yes, even in the garden.
-
Wash hands after handling pets or soil.
-
Flea-treat your dog, since fleas can carry tapeworms.
-
Avoid raw feeding unless you're 100% confident it’s parasite-free.
Protect your pet from worms.
Intestinal worms can cause serious health issues for your pet and your family, but with a regular de-worming schedule you can protect your pet, home and family from these persistent parasites.
Itch Wormer tablets kills all common intestinal worms and prevent larvae from hatching and multiplying, until your pet's next regular treatment.
Shop Itch Wormer Tablets now!
Share
itching for more?
Flea
Treatment Issues
Why is my pet still scratching after applying a flea treatment?
Not all flea treatments are created equal. So it may be the treatment you used hasn’t done the job and you need to use something stronger. Itch Flea Treatment is a vet-strength, double action spot on treatment that not only contains Fipronil but also (unlike lots of other flea treatments), (S) Methoprene. Treatments that also include (S) Methoprene, like Itch Flea Treatment not only target the adult fleas feeding on your pets and kills them dead in 24 hours (and ticks in 48 hours), but also targets flea eggs and larvae, stopping the fast and furious flea life cycle dead in its tracks to stop new fleas developing.
We asked in-house Itch vet, Dr. Zoe Costigan to give us the lowdown on why your cat or dog might still be scratching after applying a flea treatment to your pet. Here's what she had to say:
“It’s fairly normal for there to be a period of hyperactivity amongst the fleas as the active ingredients in a flea treatment take effect and this can cause an increase in your pet scratching. It should settle down after 24 hours. If after 24 hours your pet continues to scratch, there could be other things going on. Your pet could be flea-allergic, it could have a skin infection or a hormone imbalance, or other conditions which can lead to itchiness.”
Flea
Identification
How do dogs get fleas?
Your dog might be suffering with a flea infestation or you are just worried and want to avoid fleas full stop. Keep reading to find out where fleas come from, why they like our doggies so much and how to get rid of fleas for good!
Worming
Treatment
Should I use dewormer when my pet is pregnant?
If you're expecting a litter of kittens or have a pregnant pooch in your care, you might be wondering about the safety of deworming treatments. Deworming is a crucial aspect of pet care, but when it comes to pregnant pets, there are understandable concerns about the potential risks. Keep reading to find out how to keep both mum and her babies healthy.