Tapeworm in Dogs: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Tapeworms are one of the most common intestinal parasites that affect our canine companions. These flat, segmented worms can grow between 4 to 28 inches in length within a dog's small intestine, causing various health concerns all pet parents should be aware of. While the thought of these parasites might make your skin crawl, understanding them is crucial for maintaining your dog's health and preventing reinfestation.

Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about tapeworms in dogs, including how to spot the signs of infection, effective treatment options, and, most importantly, how to protect your furry friend from these persistent parasites.

• What are Tapeworms?
• Symptoms of Tapeworm in Dogs
• Prevention of Tapeworms
• FAQs
• Final Notes

What are Tapeworms?

Tapeworms are long, flat, ribbon-like creatures made up of many small segments, each about the size of a grain of rice. The most common type of tapeworm found in dogs is Dipylidium caninum, which lives in your dog's intestines. These segments contain tapeworm eggs, and you can sometimes see them in your dog's stool or around their rear end.¹

Tapeworms have a unique lifecycle. Unlike other common canine parasites that can spread through direct contact, tapeworms require an intermediate host (typically fleas) to complete their life cycle and infect your dog.

The good news is that your dog can't get tapeworms directly from other dogs. Instead, they get them accidentally by swallowing infected fleas while grooming themselves or other pets. Sometimes, dogs can also get another type of tapeworm from eating infected mice or rats, but this is fairly rare.¹

Once the tapeworm is inside your dog, it attaches itself to the wall of their intestine. From there, it starts growing longer and longer by adding new segments. While adult tapeworms can grow up to 28 inches, you'll usually only see the small rice-like segments that break off and pass through your dog's stool.²

Symptoms of Tapeworm in Dogs

Most dogs with tapeworms don't show obvious signs of illness at first, but there are several key symptoms pet parents should watch for. While some dogs might show only one or two of these signs, others might develop multiple symptoms over time. Here are a few of the most common tapeworm symptoms in dogs:[1,2]

• Visible worms in stool: The most obvious sign is seeing small, white segments of tapeworms in your dog’s stool or stuck around their rear end. These segments might be moving when fresh or appear dried and yellowish. You might also see them in your dog's bedding or any place where they usually rest.
• Vomiting: Some dogs might occasionally vomit up whole tapeworms or segments. While this isn't common, if you see what looks like a flat, white strand or multiple rice-like segments in your dog's vomit, it may indicate that they have tapeworms.
• Weight loss: Even though your dog might be eating normally or even more than usual, tapeworms steal nutrients from their food. In cases where there is an abundance of tapeworms, dogs might start losing weight despite having a good appetite. This is more common in puppies or dogs with heavy infections.
• Scooting: If you see your dog dragging their bottom across the floor or grass, this could be a sign of tapeworms. The segments can cause irritation around their rear end, making them uncomfortable. While scooting can also be caused by other issues like anal gland infections, when combined with other symptoms, it can be a sign of tapeworms.

Prevention of Tapeworms

The best way to protect your dog from tapeworms is through prevention. There are several key strategies that every pet parent should follow to keep their dogs tapeworm-free. Let's take a look at each preventive measure in detail:[2,3]

Control fleas

Because fleas are the primary source of tapeworms in dogs, flea control is your first line of defense. This means using year-round flea prevention products like Selarid or Revolution on all pets in your household — not only your dog. It's also a good idea to keep fleas away from your dog in general, so you should also:

• Vacuum your home regularly, especially areas where your pets spend time
• Wash pet bedding in hot water weekly
• Treat your yard if needed, especially in warmer months
• Check your cats and dogs regularly for signs of fleas, like excessive scratching or visible fleas in their fur

Clean up feces regularly

Quick and thorough poop cleanup keeps your yard tidy and prevents tapeworm infection and re-infection. When infected segments dry out, they can release eggs into the environment where flea larvae can pick them up, starting the cycle all over again. To prevent this, make a habit to:

• Pick up waste daily in your yard
• Always carry waste bags on walks
• Dispose of waste in sealed bags in outdoor trash containers
• Clean any accidents inside immediately and thoroughly

Keep your pet away from other animal's feces

While tapeworms don't spread directly from one dog's poop to another dog, areas with lots of animal waste can attract flies and other parasites. Train your dog to:

• Avoid sniffing or investigating other animals' waste during walks
• Stay on paths in public parks when possible
• Come when called if they start investigating another dog's poop
• Maintain good leash control in areas where other animals may have defecated

Keep children away from animal waste and ensure proper hand washing

While it's rare, humans can also get tapeworms from infected fleas. Children are at a higher risk because they may not practice good hygiene and might play in areas where pets poop. Luckily, you can protect your family by:

• Teaching children to avoid areas where animals might have pooped
• Making hand washing mandatory after playing with pets
• Keeping young children away from areas where pets commonly defecate
• Supervising outdoor play in areas where animals may have been

Keep dogs away from dead animals and garbage

Dogs can get a different type of tapeworm from eating infected animals or scavenging. To prevent this behavior and protect your pet, you can:

• Keep your dog leashed in areas where they might find dead animals
• Secure garbage cans with tight-fitting lids
• Train your dog to "leave it" when commanded
• Monitor your yard for any dead animals and remove them promptly
• Discourage hunting behaviors in dogs who chase small animals

Remember, prevention is always easier than treatment. While dewormer medications are effective, protecting your dog from getting tapeworms is the best strategy. Consider talking to your vet about the right flea-prevention products for your pet. You can get these products through our online pet pharmacy for convenience and cost savings, so schedule a consultation with a Dutch vet today to get started.

Tapeworm Treatment in Dogs

Treatment for tapeworms is straightforward and highly effective when done properly. The most common way vets treat worms is with a dewormer medication called praziquantel, which is available through your veterinarian in various forms, including tablets, injectable solutions, and topical treatments. This medication works by causing the tapeworm to dissolve within your dog's intestines, and most dogs experience no side effects during treatment.¹

Your veterinarian might recommend specific products like Iverhart Max Chew (Rx), which treats tapeworms and provides protection against other common parasites.

However, treating the tapeworms is only part of the solution. Since tapeworms are spread through fleas, your vet will likely provide the following guidance for treating your pet and home:

• Flea treatment for all pets in the household using products like Selarid
• Environmental flea control in your home and yard
• Regular deworming as part of your pet's preventive care routine
• Follow-up fecal testing to ensure the parasite has cleared

FAQs

How do I know if my dog has a tapeworm?

The most reliable sign of tapeworms in dogs is seeing small, white segments that look like rice grains in your dog's fresh poop or around their rear end. These segments might be moving when fresh or appear dried and yellowish. You might also notice your dog scooting their bottom across the floor, excessively licking their anal area, or losing weight even though they're eating normally. If you see what looks like white grains of rice in your dog's bedding or where they usually rest, these may be dried tapeworm segments.

The only completely accurate way to know if your dog has tapeworm is for them to be diagnosed by a vet. Your veterinarian will ask for a fecal sample during your dog's annual wellness visit to test for tapeworms and other parasites found in dog stool, making these check-ups an important part of monitoring your pet's health.

Are tapeworms contagious to humans?

Humans rarely get tapeworms from dogs, but they can get tapeworms. However, they can only get tapeworms in a very specific way — by swallowing an infected flea. You can't get tapeworms directly from your dog or from contact with their waste.

Young children have a slightly higher risk since they might not practice good hygiene and spend more time playing outside or on the floor with pets. Simple precautions like hand washing after petting animals or playing outdoors, along with keeping up with your pet's flea prevention, can protect your family.²

Do I need to clean my house if my dog has tapeworms?

Yes, cleaning is essential for preventing reinfestation. Make sure to thoroughly vacuum all carpets, rugs, and furniture, especially where your pet spends their time. Wash all bedding (both human and pet) in hot water to eliminate any fleas and their eggs. Clean and disinfect areas where you've found tapeworm segments.

You should also keep floors swept and mopped regularly. Since fleas spread tapeworms, your vet might recommend a home flea treatment as part of the overall treatment plan.

Final Notes

Tapeworms in dogs are a common but manageable parasitic infection. While seeing these rice-like segments in your dog's stool or around their rear end can be alarming, understanding the tapeworm lifecycle and implementing thorough prevention strategies can help keep your pet healthy.

When it comes to tapeworm prevention and treatment, having easy access to veterinary care is crucial. With Dutch, you can connect with licensed veterinarians from the comfort of your home to discuss concerns about tapeworms, get prescriptions for preventive medications, or develop a treatment plan if your pet is already infected. Become a member today.