Tapeworms in Dogs: Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

Types of Tapeworms in Dogs

• Flea tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum): the most common. Adults can grow 15 to 70 cm (6 to 28 inches) long, and dogs catch it by swallowing fleas, or occasionally lice, while grooming.^1,8
• Taenia species: caught by eating rabbits, rodents or the organs of sheep and wild animals. In T. pisiformis, the rabbit tapeworm, segments start appearing 1.5 to 2 months after infection.⁵
• Echinococcus species: tiny tapeworms, only a few millimeters long, caught by eating infected prey or offal. They're uncommon in pet dogs but important because they can cause serious cyst disease in people.^6,8,9

Signs of Tapeworms in Dogs

• Small white or cream segments, about the size of a grain of rice, on the stool or stuck to the fur around the anus. Fresh segments may crawl on the stool or the fur; as they dry they shrink and turn golden.^3,2
• Scooting or licking the bottom, though anal gland problems can also cause scooting.² See anal gland problems.
• Fleas or flea dirt on your dog.¹
• Most dogs otherwise seem well. Heavy infections can rarely cause weight loss or an intestinal blockage.^5,2

Diagnosis

Tapeworms are usually diagnosed by seeing the segments, so bring a segment or a photo to your vet. Routine fecal flotation tests often miss tapeworm eggs, so a negative test doesn't rule them out.^1,2,8

Treatment

Tapeworms are treated with a tapeworm dewormer prescribed or recommended by your vet; praziquantel and epsiprantel are the usual drugs. Not every dewormer kills tapeworms, so check that the product covers them.^1,5 Treating the tapeworm alone isn't enough: unless fleas are controlled on every pet in the home and in the house, your dog will likely be reinfected within weeks.^2,1 If tapeworms keep coming back despite good flea control, tell your vet, since resistant infections have been reported and need a different approach.^4,8

How to Prevent Tapeworms

• Year-round flea control on all pets in the home is the most effective way to prevent the flea tapeworm.^3,10
• Stop hunting and scavenging, and don't feed raw offal, to prevent other tapeworm types.^5,11
• Pick up feces promptly to limit environmental contamination.¹²
• Ask your vet about regular tapeworm treatment if your dog hunts, eats raw meat or lives in an area with Echinococcus.^11,6

Can Humans Get Tapeworms From Dogs?

It's possible but uncommon. People, usually young children, can catch the flea tapeworm by accidentally swallowing an infected flea; most have no symptoms.^3,7 You can't catch the flea tapeworm directly from your dog's stool or segments.³ Echinococcus tapeworms are more serious, because their eggs can cause cysts in human organs, but infections in North America are rare.^9,6 Flea control, picking up feces and hand washing protect your family.

See worms in dogs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do tapeworms look like in dog poop?

Small, flat, white or cream segments about the size of a grain of rice. They may crawl when fresh and turn golden as they dry.

How do dogs get tapeworms?

Most often by swallowing an infected flea. Other types come from eating rabbits, rodents or raw offal.

Can I treat my dog for tapeworms at home?

Some tapeworm dewormers are sold over the counter, but check with your vet that the product covers tapeworms, and treat fleas too.

How long does it take to get rid of tapeworms in dogs?

Treatment usually works quickly, but without flea control dogs are often reinfected within weeks.

Can humans get tapeworms from dogs?

Rarely. People, mostly young children, catch the flea tapeworm by swallowing an infected flea. The rarer Echinococcus tapeworms spread through eggs in dog feces and can be serious, so pick up feces and wash hands.

Are tapeworms dangerous for dogs?

The common flea tapeworm usually causes few problems, but it's a sign of fleas and should be treated.

Why does my dog keep getting tapeworms?

Usually because fleas haven't been fully controlled on all pets and in the home. Rarely, the tapeworm resists treatment.