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Hookworms in Dogs

Understanding Hookworms in Dogs 

Updated on February 03, 2023
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Reviewed by Dr. Whitney Miller
DVM, MBA, DACVPM

What are they? | Causes | Are they contagious? | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment | How long to get rid of them?

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Hookworms are a common parasite found in dogs. Thankfully, you can help prevent an infection in most cases with some basic veterinary services. Even if you treat your pet monthly for other parasites, your dog can still get hookworms from something contaminated in their environment. Some broad-spectrum anti-parasite drugs also work against hookworms in dogs and can be used as a preventive treatment.  

What are hookworms? 

Hookworms get their name from their mouthparts, which look like hooks, and they use them to attach to the wall of your dog’s intestines. Once there, they hold on and can do a lot of damage. The medical name for the parasite most likely to infect your dog is Ancylostoma caninum. However, Ancylostoma braziliense is sometimes found in American dogs, usually in regions between North Carolina and Florida.  

Hookworms cling to your pet’s intestines using their hook-like mouth and feed off blood vessels. These parasites have three life stages. They begin as eggs, which can pass through your dog when they have a fecal movement. Once they hatch into larvae, hookworms contaminate the environment and can remain infective in soil for weeks or months. If they find their way into your dog, larvae become adults, laying more eggs. Your dog can become infected with hookworm larvae when they go to clean their paws or smell another dog’s feces. 

What causes hookworms in dogs? 

There are a few main ways a dog can get infected with hookworms. Most commonly, your pet will come into contact with hookworms in dog poop. This can happen when your dog is sniffing the ground at the dog park, eating or playing in infected dirt.  

Hookworms are very sneaky when finding ways to infect canines. They can enter a dog orally or penetrate their skin. If a mother is infected while pregnant, she may pass along hookworms to her puppies in utero or when they are drinking her milk after birth.  

Are hookworms in dogs contagious? 

If one dog in your household has hookworms, your other dogs risk infection if they sniff or interact with the infected dog’s feces in any way. They could even contract hookworms from soil where there used to be dog poop. However, because hookworms live inside a dog’s intestines, your pet won’t get this parasite just by being near an infected dog. Most toys are probably safe if they’ve been inside and cleaned regularly.  

Pet parents who suspect one of their dogs is infected might want to quarantine the infected pet until they are treated. At the very least, make sure your pets are not sniffing around where the infected dog has gone to the bathroom.  

Kennels that allow dogs to share soil or grassy areas to use the bathroom may be a high-risk environment for your pet. Even if you are diligent about picking up your dog’s poop at home, you should look for parasite prevention solutions before your pet goes to a kennel.

Hookworms are also considered potentially zoonotic, meaning they can infect people, especially the young or immunocompromised. This is another important reason to prevent hookworm infections in your pet.

Dog Dewormer

How do I know if my dog has hookworms? 

Some of the symptoms of hookworms can be explained by other causes. However, if you see a pattern of symptoms that fits the bill, you should schedule a visit with your veterinarian and go to the dog pharmacy to get some medication.  

Look for these common signs of hookworm in dogs if your pet has been playing in soil or you suspect they have interacted with another dog’s poop. 

  • Bloody diarrhea: Because hookworms affect the intestines—this is where the parasites feed on blood vessels—your dog’s stool is likely to show symptoms. If you notice blood in any poop, it could be a hookworm infection. 
  • Weakness: Hookworms cause anemia, which is likely to make your dog appear more listless than usual. Does your typically energetic dog suddenly stop wanting to play or go on a walk? If combined with other hookworm symptoms, you may wish to visit your vet.  
  • Pale gums: Dogs with hookworms may also experience pale gums because they lose blood to the parasite. Your veterinarian will notice this at an annual check-in, but you should check for it if you suspect a parasitic infection.  
  • Weight loss: Unexplained weight loss may also be caused by hookworms. As it becomes more uncomfortable for your dog to digest their food, they may be less inclined to eat.
  • Dull, dry coat: Dogs with hookworm infections can have dull or dry hair or hair prone to cracking.

How are hookworms diagnosed? 

Your veterinarian will conduct a fecal test to determine if your pet’s feces are infected with hookworms. They will want to confirm the diagnosis before they begin treating your dog because other illnesses or infections can often cause similar symptoms.

Your vet is looking for oval, thin-shelled eggs characteristic of hookworms. You won’t notice these eggs with the naked eye, making a veterinary test necessary to determine if your pet is infected.  

How do you treat hookworms in dogs? 

Remedies for hookworms in dogs primarily consist of medications. Fenbendazole, moxidectin and pyrantel are all approved to treat hookworms in canines—these drugs are called anthelmintics (or dewormers) and can be taken orally with few side effects. If your dog already has severe anemia, they may also need additional treatments, like blood transfusions.

How long does it take to get rid of hookworms? 

Deworming drugs only kill adult hookworms. This means that while the hookworms currently in your dog’s intestines may be killed within a few days, your pet will need additional treatment in a few weeks when any present eggs or larvae have become adults. It could take a month or so for your dog to be totally in the clear from their hookworm infection. In the meantime, consult your veterinarian about any at-home comfort treatments or vitamins that can aid in your dog’s recovery.  

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