What kind of worms can infect my pet?
The two most common types of worms that are found in the U.K. are roundworm and tapeworm. There are several different species of each and cats and dogs are susceptible to all of them.

How does my pet become infected?
Worm eggs are excreted in the faeces of infected cats and dogs and can survive in the soil for more than a year. These eggs stick to your pet’s feet and coat and are then swallowed while grooming themselves. The eggs then mature into adult worms in the intestines, heart or lungs.
Fleas contain the larvae of tapeworm and when the flea is swallowed when the pet licks itself, the larvae is also consumed.
Cats often become infected by eating birds and small mammals which contain tapeworm. Both dogs and cats can be infected with roundworm by eating rodents and birds.
All puppies and kittens are born already infected with roundworms which have been passed on from their mothers via the placenta.

Is there a risk to me or my family?
If your pet has roundworm eggs on its coat these can be transferred to you when you stroke your pet. If these eggs are swallowed they can hatch into larvae and migrate to different areas of your body. A common site is the back of the eye which can then cause blindness. In the vast majority of cases, swallowing these eggs will be completely harmless but children in particular are much more at risk.
Tapeworms can cause cysts to form in different organs of the human body e.g. the liver or brain.

How often should I worm my pet?
This will depend on your pet’s lifestyle. If your dog or cat is in frequent contact with children you should use a wormer once a month. Worming tablets will only kill the parasites that your pet is infected with at the time of worming, there is no long term protection. If your pet consumes worm eggs the next day, he or she will be re-infected. However, the worm life-cycle from egg to larvae to adult takes approximately one month and if you are treating your pet monthly, you can be sure that you are protecting your family.