Health risks to animals and humans of intestinal worms

Most types of intestinal worm which can infect cats and dogs in the UK have the potential to cause serious damage to the animal’s health if left untreated. Remember that some tapeworms can grow up to 5 metres in length – and if that makes you squirm, imagine how your dog or cat must feel!

But even more alarming is the fact that some worms can also infect humans. The dog roundworm (Toxocara canis) is probably the best known of these, but there is growing evidence that the cat roundworm (Toxocara cati) can pose a similar threat.

Some of the rarer tapeworms are also a risk to human health – and in every case, it is children who are most vulnerable.