Yes, and there are several ways on how humans can get parasites and worms from their pets. The most common worms that affect humans are roundworms and hookworms. Always remember to wash your hands after touching your pet. Eating after patting an infected dog or cat, without first washing your hands, can make you accidentally ingest worm eggs.

Hookworms in humans

Hookworms, on the other hand, can enter our bodies by eating their way into our skin. Just like in roundworms, hookworm eggs are also found in your pet's faeces. Once under the skin, they will leave red, itchy, and swollen winding tracts known as cutaneous larva migrans.

Common worms in cats

Most common intestinal worms in cats in the US are:

1. roundworms (Toxocara cati and Toxascaris leonina)
2. hookworms (Ancylostoma tubaeforme, Ancylostoma brazilense and Uncinaria stenocephala)
3. tapeworms (Dipylidium caninum, Taenia taeniaeformis and very occasionally Echinococcus spp)

Cats and Dogs

Once your pet gets their nose on soil or water contaminated by an infected animal's faeces, and ingest the egg worms, then your pets are infected. Common ways pets can get worms are by:

1. Getting in contact with infected animals
2. Ingesting worm larvae or eggs (infected faeces or in the grass)
3. Ingesting raw meat (infected prey animals or infected parasites)

However, some worms have other means to get to your pet. Tapeworms don't immediately go to your pet. These parasites live inside immediate hosts like fleas, lice, and small rodents. If these parasites are not controlled, these parasites can infect your pet with worms. Hookworms, on the other hand, can get to your pet either by ingesting them or by eating through your pet's skin, usually on their feet.

Pets need regular checkups with a vet, where a stool sample will be tested for any presence of worms. In case you do see worms in your pet's stool, vomit or around their bottom, wrap them up in a damp cotton towel, and show it to your vet.

As symptoms do not always show, your vet may recommend a regular worm treatment for your pet. For pets who don't manifest any symptoms, some worm eggs or larvae can be dormant in your pet. They can be activated when your pet is stressed. For roundworms and hookworms, they may wait until the later stages of pregnancy, ready to infest soon to be born pups and kittens. These parasites need your pets to stay alive, this is why they don't want to be detected for them to remain inside your pet.

Common signs of worms in pets are as follows:

1. Weight loss
2. Dry and coarse hair
3. Vomiting (sometimes with worms)
4. Their fur is becoming dull and coarse
5. Increased appetite, diarrhea (probably with blood), and weakness
6. Puppies and kittens may have "pot belly" for severe cases
7. General poor appearance.

Deworm your cats and dogs

Intestinal parasites don't usually cause diseases but rather steal nutrients from your pet. This makes them less healthy and, therefore, more vulnerable to skin issues and bacterial infections. Avoid this by using deworming medications on your pet. These medications are usually safe, but for infected pets, they may experience lethargy or loss of appetite as a result of worms being removed from their body. It may still be reasonable to see worms in your pet's stool a few days after your pet has taken these medications.

These medications can have several forms:

1. Spot On Wormers
2. Tablet Wormers
3. Chewable Wormers

How often should you deworm your pet?

1. Kittens should start treatments for intestinal worms at six, eight, ten, and 12 weeks old, then once a month until they are three months old. Later every three months throughout their life.
2. Puppies should start intestinal worm treatments at two, four, six, eight, ten and 12 weeks old, then once a month until they are three months old, then every three months onwards.
3. Cats should be treated at least every three months throughout life. For breeding cats, they should be wormed before mating, and once pregnant, they should be treated ten days before kittening and fortnightly while the kittens are suckling. Read more about worming your cats.
4. Dogs should have treatment at least every three months during their lifetime. In some areas where tapeworms are a problem, it is recommended to have three to six-weekly medications instead. Before mating, female dogs should be wormed and then from at least day 42 of pregnancy. When pups are suckling. They should be wormed fortnightly. Read more about worming your dogs.