With a hook-shaped mouth giving them their name, hookworms are highly contagious intestinal blood-sucking worms that adult dogs and puppies frequently get. There are several species of hookworms in dogs, including Ancylostoma caninum, Uncinaria stenocephala and Ancylostoma braziliense, to name the more common species found in the intestines of our beloved pups. Read on to learn the answer to "How do dogs get hookworms?" as well as how to protect your dog from this parasite.

How Do Dogs Get Hookworms?

Dogs of all life stages are vulnerable to hookworms, and there are four ways dogs can get them:

  1. Feces: Oftentimes, hookworm eggs are passed in the feces of infected dogs. When an infected dog defecates outside, hookworm eggs are left behind on the soil. Outdoors, the eggs grow and hatch, surviving well in warm, humid environments. After hatching, the juvenile form of the worm, called larvae, is released. It's the larval form of the hookworm that's able to penetrate the skin of its unsuspecting host.
  2. Ingestion: A dog can get hookworms via ingestion as well. If a dog licks their fur or chews their foot, they can ingest the eggs of the parasite. They can also consume the parasite by eating the feces of an infected animal (known as fecal-oral transmission). According to Today's Veterinary Practice, inside the dog's body, the worm attaches to the intestines with its three sets of teeth and feeds off of their blood supply.
  3. Transplacental Transmission: Puppies can get hookworms while still inside their mother's uterus. When this happens, the parasites are spread via the placental bloodstream.
  4. Transmammary Transmission: Lastly, after birth, the puppy can contract the worm through their mother's milk when nursing.

What Are the Clinical Signs of Hookworms in Dogs?

Many dog parents are shocked when their veterinarian finds hookworms during routine fecal exams, but this isn't uncommon as many dogs infected with the parasite don't exhibit clinical signs. Sometimes, you may notice your dog itching, or you might see a rash on their paws because hookworms cause discomfort when they burrow into the skin. If your pup is a paw chewer, this behavior may not initially spark your attention.

Other common signs affect the gastrointestinal tract but may also include:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Loose stools or diarrhea
  • Decreased appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Fatigue
  • Pale gums

Pale gums are a result of anemia that can develop as the hookworms ingest blood in the intestines. Failure to thrive is common among puppies with hookworms.

Can Hookworms in Dogs Spread to People?

You bet. Certain diseases, including hookworms, are considered "zoonotic" because they can spread from animals to people. Hookworm larvae are notorious for burrowing into the soles of people's feet, as the New York Post mentioned. It's also possible for a dog to spread hookworms to you by licking or kissing you on the mouth when they have the parasite in their mouth. On rare occasions, the larvae can migrate through tissue in the human body and cause something called "larva migrans." This condition can cause damage to the internal organs and has been linked to many cases of blindness, especially in children.

Lucky for us, the adult form of the hookworm doesn't infect humans and will die within a few weeks when inside of us. However, hookworm infections are on the rise — up 47% from 2012 to 2018, according to a study cited by Veterinary Practice News.

How Are Hookworms in Dogs Diagnosed and Treated?

Diagnosing hookworms in dogs is usually straightforward, involving taking a stool sample and examining a microscopic slide for the presence of hookworm eggs. Eggs aren't guaranteed to always be present as they can shed intermittently. As a result, more than one fecal exam may be essential for diagnosis. Because hookworms don't always cause signs of physical illness, your dog should have fecal exams twice a year.

Several different kinds of medication, called anthelmintics, can effectively treat hookworms. Injectable and oral forms of medications are available as well. Your vet will be able to determine which would be best for your dog. For dogs with severe hookworm infestations, additional treatments may be needed. For instance, dogs who have developed anemia will need to have their blood cell count monitored. They can even require a blood transfusion, though puppies tend to be most at risk for this severe anemia.

Heartworm preventative medication will prevent a dog from getting a hookworm infection, and depending on the product, it may or may not help with an existing infection. Because of this and the frequency of intestinal parasites seen in dogs, routine dewormings are recommended for all dogs. Talk to your vet about any concerns you may have regarding your dog and hookworms. Keep in mind that if you follow best practices for checkups and preventative care, your pup should stay happy and healthy.

Dr. Laci Schaible Dr. Laci Schaible

Dr. Laci Schaible is a small animal veterinarian, veterinary journalist, and a thought leader in the industry. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Texas A&M University and her Masters in Legal Studies from Wake Forest University.

Related articles

Why Does My Dog Look So Sad?

Why does my dog look so sad? Your pooch might just be looking for your love & attention. Discover other potential reasons for your dog's sad puppy eyes.

What Does My Puppy's Behavior Mean?

Learn how to read your puppy's body language to better understand his wants and needs and provide him with the best care possible.

Why Do Dogs Like Belly Rubs? (And What If My Dog Doesn't?)

Why do dogs like belly rubs? Learn what your dog is really telling you when he wants a belly rub (and why other dogs may not want one).

Why Your Dog Should Exercise

Learn how much exercise is right for your dog's breed, age & size, as well as how choosing the right dog food affects his ability to exercise & stay active

Typical Health Problems in Small Breed Dogs

If you've recently adopted a small dog, learn some health issues that commonly affect smaller breeds, from tracheal breathing issues to knee displacement.

Shelter Adoption or Dog Breeders: What's the Best Place to Get a Puppy?

There are several places to get a puppy, learn more about finding a puppy at a shelter, breeder, rescue organisations or local newspaper.

Puppy Timeline: How Puppies Grow up to Be Dogs

When do puppies start eating solid food? When do puppies need to be vaccinated? Use this growth timeline to learn which stage of development he's in.

Steps to Take When Your Dog Dies

Unfortunately death is a part of life, so be prepared to make arrangements for your dog's body if he dies at home.

Dealing With a Dog Peeing on the Lawn

Discover why dead spots in your green lawn could be caused by dog urine, and learn steps you can take for getting your lawn (& dog) back into shape.

Ringworm in Dogs: How to Treat and Prevention Tips

While ringworm in dogs is common, this highly contagious skin infection is preventable and treatable. Learn these tips to help you keep it from spreading.

Registering Your Dog as a Therapy Dog

Learn about therapy dogs, the training that therapy dogs go through, and what you need to do to register your pup with a therapy dog organization.

Hypothyroidism in Dogs: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

Learn everything you need to know about hypothyroidism in dogs, including risk factors, signs of the disease and how it gets diagnosed & treated.

Why Are My Dog's Eyes Red?

Learn common causes of red eyes in dogs, from normal allergies to more serious health concerns, and treatment options your vet might suggest to help.

How to Get Dog Pee Smell Out of Carpet

Discover the best tips & tricks for removing pee stains and odor from carpet, including stains that are recent vs. those that have set in for some time.

Do Male Dogs Go Into Heat?

You probably know about female dogs going into heat, but do male dogs? Learn whether male dogs have a heat cycle & handling them around females in heat.

Luxating Patella in Dogs: Diagnosis, Treatment & More

Luxating patella in dogs, or kneecap displacement, is a common orthopedic disease. Learn the different stages of this condition & how it's usually treated.

Heart Disease and Conditions in Dogs: Causes & Facts

Learn what heart disease and heart conditions are for dogs, their causes, how to spot the symptoms, and what to do if you suspect it in your dog.

Anemia in Dogs: Signs, Treatment, Prevention & More

Discover the clinical symptoms of anemia in dogs, why the condition occurs, how its diagnosed & treated, and how you can help with prevention in your dog.

Step-By-Step Instructions for Command Training Your Puppy

If you're interested in training your new puppy to sit, stay, lie down, fetch and more, then read these help command training tips from Hill's.

When Should a Dog Be Spayed?

Learn the proper age to spay your puppy, as well as whether adult dogs can be spayed, and possible complications to keep an eye out for following surgery.