Hookworm in Dogs: Causes, Signs and Treatment Options

Parasites are a common issue that can affect your dog’s health in multiple ways. One such parasite is the hookworm, which can be severely damaging to dogs and puppies.¹ Learn what they are, options to treat them and tips to help prevent your dog from getting them.

What Is a Hookworm?

A hookworm is an intestinal parasite that can infect both dogs and people. Scientifically, they’re known by the names Ancylostoma caninum and Ancylostoma braziliense. The common name of “hookworm” comes from hook-like appendages inside the mouth that allow them to latch on to the intestinal lining.²

The hookworm life cycle

Hookworms go through a three-stage life cycle:²

1. They begin as eggs, which are passed through feces when an infected animal defecates.
2. Once hatched, hookworm larvae can survive for weeks or even months as they migrate through a dog’s body until they arrive inside the intestine and latch onto the intestinal wall.
3. While inside the intestine, hookworm larvae mature into the adult stage and lay eggs, which are then passed out of the dog through its feces, beginning the cycle all over again.

How Do Dogs Get Hookworms?

Dogs can contract hookworms in four different ways:²

• Eating them. Dogs can swallow hookworm eggs or larvae by ingesting something that’s contaminated, drinking contaminated water or licking their paws after walking across contaminated soil.
• In utero. Hookworms can pass from mother dogs to their puppies in the womb.
• Nursing. Infected mother dogs can also pass hookworms to puppies through their milk.
• Skin contact. Hookworm larvae can use their hooks to burrow through the skin barrier.

Are Hookworms a Danger to Dogs?

Hookworms feed on blood. To keep their food source flowing, they inject an anti-clotting substance into the dog’s blood, which can cause intestinal bleeding to continue even after the hookworm detaches. This can result in severe and bloody diarrhea, anemia and weight loss, all of which can be dangerous to dogs if not treated quickly. Puppies can be susceptible to death in the case of a severe infestation.¹

With proper treatment, most dogs make a full recovery from a hookworm infestation. In severe cases, some dogs may require blood transfusions to help them recover.¹

Signs Your Dog May Have a Hookworm

Common signs of a hookworm infestation in dogs can include the following:¹

• Anemia
• Bloody diarrhea
• Coughing
• Dull, dry coat
• Irritated skin
• Itchy paws
• Pale gums
• Weakness

These symptoms could also indicate other types of illness, so it’s important to have your pet examined by a veterinarian. You should see your vet ASAP if you notice these symptoms in your dog or puppy.

Diagnosing Hookworm in Dogs

After examining your dog, your vet will do a fecal float test to check for the presence of hookworm eggs in your dog’s stool. While this is a reliable test in older puppies and grown dogs, very young puppies could be infested for up to three weeks before hookworm larvae are mature enough to produce eggs that would show up in a fecal float test. So if you have a puppy who is suspected of having hookworms, your vet may recommend treating them for parasites even if the test is negative.² 

Treatment Options for Hookworm

Hookworms are treated with oral deworming medications called anthelmintics, which kill and eliminate adult hookworms. After the initial treatment, your dog will need a follow-up treatment after two or three weeks to kill newly mature hookworms that were still in the larval stage during the first treatment.¹

Treatment costs

Deworming medication that kills hookworm is typically inexpensive, starting at around $20.³ Prices will vary based on the type and brand of the drug and the dosage amount needed. 

Tips to Prevent Hookworm Infections

Placing your dog on heartworm prevention will prevent them from getting hookworms as well.² It’s also important to clean up after your dog and properly dispose of their feces as soon as possible to reduce any chances of your dog passing a potential infestation to their surroundings.

Because humans can also contract hookworms, you should always wash your hands with soap and water after handling your dog’s feces and prevent children from playing in areas where dogs relieve themselves.²

If your dog visits places where other dogs hang out, such as a dog park or a kennel, make sure the facility practices good doggy hygiene, such as picking up after dogs and disinfecting kennels and dog runs. If you can, try to avoid places where other dogs relieve themselves, especially if other dog parents aren’t cleaning up after their pooches.²

If you have a dog who’s expecting, talk to your vet about deworming her while she’s pregnant. Because hookworms can go dormant and become reactivated once a dog begins nursing, both she and the puppies should also be dewormed again when the puppies reach 2 to 3 weeks of age.¹

Caring for Your Dog Through Treatment and Prevention

Parasite prevention is an essential part of your dog’s health and wellness care. While hookworms can be serious, treatment can usually lead to a full recovery. Knowing how to recognize the signs of hookworms in dogs will help you act quickly if preventive measures fail, so you can get your pup back to their happy, healthy self again.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hookworms in Dogs

Still have questions about hookworms in dogs? Here are answers to some commonly questions about them.

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Author Bio

Jean Marie Bauhaus is a freelance writer and novelist who has been writing pet content since 2013. Her work has appeared on Forbes.com, Hill’s Pet, Chewy, AKC.org and more.