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How Can Dogs Pick Up Hookworms

Feb 28,2025 | puaintapets

Hookworms are a common and potentially serious parasitic infection in dogs. These tiny, blood-sucking worms can cause a range of health issues, including severe anemia, digestive problems, and in some cases, death if left untreated. Understanding how dogs get hookworms is crucial for preventing and treating this condition.

In this article, we’ll explore the different ways dogs can become infected with hookworms, the symptoms to watch out for, how to treat and prevent hookworm infestations, and the best practices to protect your dog from this parasitic threat.

Dogs Get Hookworms

What Are Hookworms?

Hookworms are small parasitic worms that infect the intestinal tract of dogs. They attach to the intestinal lining and feed on the dog’s blood, leading to blood loss, which can cause anemia, weakness, and other serious health issues. There are several species of hookworms that can infect dogs, including Ancylostoma caninum, which is the most common in the U.S.

These parasites can be transmitted to dogs in a variety of ways, and understanding these routes of infection is key to protecting your dog from hookworms.

hookworm

How Do Dogs Get Hookworms?

Dogs can get hookworms in the following ways:

Oral ingestion

Ingesting larvae from the environment：Hookworm eggs are passed in the feces of infected dogs and can hatch into larvae in the soil. Dogs can ingest these larvae when grooming their feet, sniffing or licking contaminated soil or feces, or eating grass or other objects in contaminated areas.
Ingesting infected prey：Dogs that hunt or scavenge may ingest small animals that are infected with hookworm larvae, such as rodents or birds.

Skin penetration

Hookworm larvae can penetrate the skin of dogs, usually through the paws or other areas that come into contact with contaminated soil. This can happen when dogs walk or lie on contaminated ground.

Mother-to-puppy transmission

In utero：Hookworm larvae can cross the placenta and infect unborn puppies in the womb.
Through milk：Puppies can also contract hookworms by drinking the milk of an infected mother.

Risk factors

Age：Puppies are more vulnerable to hookworm infections, especially those under six months of age.
Environment：Dogs that are frequently outdoors, live in warm and humid climates, or are exposed to areas with poor sanitation are at higher risk.
Lifestyle：Dogs that are not on regular parasite prevention, have a history of roaming or scavenging, or are in contact with other infected animals are also more likely to get hookworms.

Symptoms of Hookworm Infection in Dogs

If a dog is infected with hookworms, the symptoms can vary depending on the severity of the infection. Common signs include:

1. Diarrhea or Bloody Stools

Hookworms feed on the blood of their hosts, which can lead to intestinal bleeding. As a result, affected dogs may have diarrhea, which may contain blood or appear black and tarry.

Related: Understanding Dog Blood in Stool

2. Lethargy and Weakness

Because hookworms cause blood loss, dogs may become weak and lethargic. Anemia from hookworm infestation can result in a lack of energy, and dogs may be less active than usual.

3. Pale Gums

Dogs with hookworm infections often show signs of anemia, such as pale gums. This occurs because hookworms are consuming the dog’s blood, leading to a reduction in red blood cell count.

4. Loss of Appetite

Infected dogs may lose their appetite due to discomfort from the worms in their digestive system. Vomiting and weight loss may also occur in severe cases.

5. Coughing and Respiratory Issues (in severe cases)

In rare cases, hookworms can migrate to the lungs, causing coughing, labored breathing, or other respiratory issues. This typically occurs in severe or chronic infections.

Hookworm Infections in Dogs

How to Prevent Hookworm Infections in Dogs?

Preventing hookworm infections in dogs involves a combination of practices that reduce exposure to contaminated environments and help maintain good hygiene and health. Here are several strategies to help prevent hookworms in your dog:

Here are some ways to prevent hookworm infections in dogs:

Regular Deworming

Puppies: Deworm puppies at approximately two to three weeks of age, and then every two weeks until around eight weeks, even if fecal tests are negative. After that, start them on monthly preventative.
Adult dogs: Deworm adult dogs at least twice a year, or more frequently if they are at high risk (e.g., if they are outdoors often, hunt, or live in a warm, humid climate).
Nursing female dogs: Deworm nursing female dogs when their puppies are dewormed to prevent transmission of hookworms to the puppies.

Environmental Management

Prompt feces removal: Immediately pick up and dispose of dog feces in the yard, park, or other areas where dogs defecate. Hookworm eggs are passed in the feces and can contaminate the environment.
Keep the yard clean: Regularly clean the yard to remove any feces and debris that may harbor hookworm larvae.
Avoid contaminated areas: Try to keep dogs away from areas known to be contaminated with hookworm larvae, such as dog parks or areas with poor sanitation.

Parasite Prevention

Use monthly preventatives: Many heartworm prevention products also contain medications to prevent hookworm infections. These products can kill the larval stages of hookworms and help prevent reinfection.
Consult your vet: Talk to your veterinarian about the best parasite prevention product for your dog based on their age, lifestyle, and risk factors.

Hygiene Practices

Wash hands frequently: Wash your hands thoroughly after handling your dog, especially before eating. Also, ensure that children wash their hands frequently after playing with the dog or being in areas where the dog has been.
Keep the dog clean: Bathe your dog regularly to keep their coat clean and free of dirt and debris that may contain hookworm larvae.
Avoid contact with contaminated soil: Try to prevent your dog from lying or walking on soil that may be contaminated with hookworm larvae. If your dog does come into contact with potentially contaminated soil, wash their paws thoroughly.

By following these preventive measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of hookworm infections in your dog and protect their health.

What to Do if Your Dog is Anemic from Hookworms?

The following steps can be taken for dogs who are anemic due to hookworm:

1. Treatment of hookworm infection

Medication: commonly used medications include prothiobenzimidazole, mebendazole, levamisole, etc. These medications can be effective in repelling and killing hookworms. In addition, treatment can also be carried out by subcutaneous injection of 4.5% iodonitrophenol injection.

Environmental treatment: Disinfectant products should be used to fully decontaminate the residence of the affected pet during treatment to prevent secondary infection. Meanwhile, multi-pet households should pay attention to isolation and screening, and dogs without symptoms should also be examined to prevent dogs from cross-infecting each other.

2. Treatment of anemia

Blood Transfusion Treatment: If your dog is severely anemic, a blood transfusion may be necessary. Blood transfusions can quickly increase your dog's hemoglobin levels and relieve the symptoms of anemia.

Supplementation of Hematopoietic Substances: Dogs can be given oral or injectable iron-containing supplements to help replenish iron and promote hemoglobin synthesis. At the same time, other hematopoietic substances such as vitamin B12 and folic acid can also be supplemented.

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Nutritional support: Give your dog high-protein, vitamin-rich foods to help restore its strength and nutritional status. If your dog loses its appetite due to anemia, you can feed it with small meals.

3.Daily care

Regular deworming: Regularly deworm your dog to prevent re-infection of hookworms and other parasites. It is generally recommended that puppies be dewormed once a month and adult dogs once a quarter.

Keep the environment clean: Clean up the dog's feces in time, use disinfectants such as borate to eliminate larvae in the environment, and keep the dog's living environment dry and ventilated.

Observe the change of symptoms: Closely observe the change of symptoms in your dog, such as whether the anemia symptom improves and whether new symptoms appear, etc. If there is any abnormality, you should seek medical treatment promptly.

Related: Anemia in Dogs

FAQs

Can humans get hookworms from dogs?

Yes, humans can get hookworms from dogs, but it is relatively rare. The larvae can penetrate human skin, usually through bare feet when walking on contaminated soil. However, the hookworms that infect humans are usually a different species than those that infect dogs.

How often should I deworm my dog to prevent hookworms?

Puppies should be dewormed starting at 2 - 3 weeks of age and then every 2 - 3 weeks until they are 12 - 16 weeks old. Adult dogs should be dewormed at least every 3 - 6 months, depending on their lifestyle and risk factors.

How long does it take for a dog to get rid of hookworms?

The time it takes for your dog to get rid of hookworms depends on a number of factors, including the severity of the infection, your dog's health, and the treatments and medications used.
If your dog has a mild hookworm infection, symptoms usually improve within a few days to a week of starting deworming medication. For moderately infected dogs, deworming medication may need to be used continuously for 1-2 weeks to ensure complete removal of hookworms from the body. At the same time, it may need to be accompanied by supportive treatments such as nutritional supplementation and regulation of intestinal flora to help the dog regain its health.

Conclusion

Dogs can get hookworms through oral ingestion and skin penetration. If hookworms attack your dog's surface skin, they can cause itching, swollen or even ulcerated limbs, and abnormal hair loss. Owners should take their dogs to the vet for regular physical and fecal exams to detect and treat potential hookworm infections.