Worms in pets

How to get rid of worms in pets

Healthy looking animals can carry worms, so it’s important to worm pets regularly. Your vet will be best to advise which type of treatment and method you should use for your pet.

Worms can cause suffering, illness and even death. Some types of worms can be spread between pets and people and can cause diseases.

Worm treatment for pets

• Maintain a regular worm treatments – ask your vet for the best treatment and method to deworm your pet

• Treat pets for roundworm from a young age and, when they're adults, tapeworms also

• Different worms may need different treatments – ask your vet which treatment is safe and suitable for your pet

• Prevent tapeworms by using a flea treatment regularly, as fleas can carry tapeworm eggs

How to prevent worms in pets

• Disinfect food and water bowls regularly

• Ensure housing is regularly cleaned and disinfected, but only use a disinfectant that is safe for animals

• Good pasture management is required for horses, ponies, donkeys and rabbits to prevent them from eating the larvae and eggs of worms. This may involve removing droppings and rotating which areas your animal has access to

• For rabbits, avoid collecting greens from areas where wild rabbits and rodents have been and if kept outside, place housing so that exposure to wild rabbits and rodents is minimised

• Pregnant animals should only be wormed under the supervision of a vet

• Clean up after your pet and dispose of faeces carefully

• Wash your hands thoroughly before you eat.