It is important to check your dog’s poop on a regular basis. Doing so can help you identify any issues with your dog’s health. If you find small white worms in your dog’s poop, it is a sign that your dog has tapeworms in their intestines. Your dog will also leave tapeworm larvae in your home; they show up as small white specks that look similar to grains of rice, and can be found on your dog’s bedding and any furniture he sits on. Your dog may also scratch or lick his anus, or scoot on the floor due to the irritation from the tapeworms. While tapeworms are not something you want your dog to have to deal with, they can be easily treated if you catch the infestation in its earliest stages.

How Are Tapeworms Contracted? 

Tapeworm larvae are actually passed to animals through the bites of mosquitos. Your dog can also get tapeworms from eating an animal that has been infected with them. If you allow your dog to hunt in the woods, or catch small game such as rabbits and squirrels that enter your yard, it’s a very likely possibility that your dog will get tapeworms. Your dog can also become infected by contact with the feces of another dog that has tapeworms. Tapeworms can grow up to eight inches in length, and are then passed from your dog’s body through their stool.

How Can Tapeworms Be Treated? 

There are several methods of treatment for tapeworms. You can contact your vet for assistance, but if you already know your dog has tapeworms, there is no need for a costly office visit, lab tests and prescriptions from your vet. You can safely treat a tapeworm infestation at home with a natural remedy. The best at-home remedy is Tape-eze. Tape-eze not only kills existing worms, it also prevents a re-infestation, and can be safely used monthly to protect your dog’s digestive system from these nasty intruders. Tape-eze is made of all-natural ingredients and is deemed safe for use in all breeds of dogs. It is also much less expensive than other tapeworm treatments and preventatives. It’s also easy to administer; simply put a few drops into your dog’s food once per week, and he’ll be free of tapeworms in just a few days.

Tapeworms are disgusting parasites that live in the small intestines of a dog and feed off the animal’s blood. They may be as small as an inch in size, and in some cases can grow to a few feet long. Tapeworms will eventually cause a dog to lose weight, but the problem is weight loss can occur so gradually, the owner may not even notice it. This and the fact that most dogs don’t show any outward signs of discomfort can make the determination that a dog has tapeworms difficult.

If you suspect your dog may have tapeworms, look for the following symptoms.

1. The dog may show signs of itchiness in or around the anal area. This can be displayed by his licking the area or by him “scooting” in an effort to relieve the itchiness.
2. Signs of weight loss in spite of the dog maintaining his appetite.
3. A marked increase in the dog’s appetite that does not result in weight gain.
4. Regular occurrences of diarrhea.
5. Distension of the abdomen.
6. Dry and/or flaky skin.
7. An increasingly poor hair coat that may be dull or dry.
8. The dog may appear listless and lethargic.
9. Irritability.

To a much lesser degree the animal may experience some stomach pain, but oddly enough, that is not very common.

Tapeworm heads attach themselves to the wall of the intestines and to cure the ailment the heads must be destroyed. If the heads are not destroyed they will simply regenerate themselves. The ingestion of fleas and lice are the most common causes of tapeworms, but they also can be caused by the ingestion of raw meats.

If you notice the symptoms of tapeworms in your dog it is suggested you seek the advice of a veterinarian for treatment options.