While it's rare for people to get tapeworms from a house cat or dog, children are at greatest risk for ingesting a worm. The most common ways people contract worms is by ingesting eggs from soil, hands or other objects containing animal feces, according to Murrayhill Veterinary Hospital. You can also contract worms by ingesting fleas that contain the worm larvae. Take preventative steps to ensure you and your kids stay worm-free.
Instructions
Ensure your pet is dewormed early. Dogs should be dewormed under a vet's care, beginning at three weeks of age, continuing until they're three months old. After that, a monthly deworming agent should keep them at bay. Worms in cats develop a bit later than dogs -- usually six weeks of age.
Ensure your children stay away from areas contaminated with feces. Clean up Rover's droppings in the backyard often to ensure your child does not ingest the feces. Make sure they wash after playing in the dirt.
Wash your hands after you come in contact with your pet. As the eggs of a tapeworm are microscopic, you can get them on your hands and especially under your fingernails. If you put your hands in your mouth for any reason or bite your nails, you could accidentally ingest a flea and or tapeworm egg.
Don't nuzzle or put your face up next to the animals fur when you suspect it has fleas and or tapeworms. This will help prevent you from accidentally inhaling or eating a flea that is hosting a tapeworm.
Keep your environment very clean, especially surfaces that you use for preparing food or eating. Make sure the areas are not crawling with fleas or that you have food close to carpets or fabrics where fleas may be present.