Worms, fleas, and other parasites can sneak into your dog’s body and cause serious problems fast. These parasites don’t just make your dog itchy—they cause real harm and attack your pet’s health from the inside out. If you spot these 10 warning signs early, you could save your dog from discomfort and serious trouble.
10. Excessive Licking
If you notice your pup licking their legs, paws, or other body parts more than usual, it could be a sign of irritation due to parasites. Mites, fleas, and other external parasites cause discomfort that drives dogs to lick excessively. The common spots where parasites like to hide are between the dog’s toes or around their tail base.
9. Appetite Changes
Parasites, depending on the type, can also affect your dog’s eating habits. Internal parasites like roundworms steal nutrients from your pet’s digestive system, leaving them feeling constantly hungry. Meanwhile, some parasite infestations may cause discomfort so much so that your dog loses appetite due to stomach pain or nausea.
8. Diarrhea
Internal parasites like coccidia, Giardia, and various worms irritate the intestinal lining, leading to disrupted digestion and diarrhea that may be accompanied by blood or an unusually foul odor. If the diarrhea persists (lasting more than a day or two), take your dog for an immediate vet visit.
7. Weight Loss
As mentioned, internal parasites can act as unwelcome dinner guests, feeding into the nutrients your dog needs. This makes it hard for your pet to maintain a healthy weight. Check if your dog’s ribs is becoming more visible or if their waist is getting more defined. Unexplained weight loss despite normal eating habits is a red flag for a parasite problem.
6. Poor Coat Quality
When parasites start stealing nutrients, one of the first things that will suffer is your dog’s coat. It might become brittle, dry, or dull. External parasites can also damage your dog’s hair follicles and skin, leading to patchy fur. Always remember, a dog’s coat is considered a window into their health.
5. Excessive Scratching
If you notice that your dog is also scratching intensely, to the point that it’s creating wounds and hot spots, it can also be a sign of parasite infestation. The scratching is usually focused on areas where parasites often hide like behind the ears, around the neck, and at the base of the tail.
4. Scooting
If you’ve seen your dog dragging their bottom across the floor, that’s what you call “scooting.” While this act is seemingly harmless and often a source of amusement, it can also indicate the presence of worms that irritate the rear end of your dog’s body. Don’t dismiss scooting as a quirky behavior, especially when accompanied by other symptoms on this list.
3. Difficulty Breathing
Heartworms or lungworms can affect the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, causing difficulty in breathing. So pay closer attention if your dog is coughing after exercise or breathing quicker than usual. Heart and lung parasites can restrict blood flow and can be deadly if left untreated.
2. Vomiting
Regular vomiting episodes, when accompanied by other digestive symptoms, can signal a parasite infestation in your dog’s stomach. Visible worms in the vomit clearly indicates that parasites are present. Also, in severe cases, large worms or masses of worms can obstruct the digestive tract and cause contents to be vomited.
1. Pale Gums
Pale or white gums require immediate veterinary attention as this can indicate anemia caused by blood-sucking parasites. Flea infestation is specifically dangerous for puppies and small breeds because they can quickly become anemic. Healthy gums should be pink and moist; if it’s pale, white, or bluish, it requires immediate treatment.