Are Canine Tapeworms Contagious?

Tapeworms are parasites that live in the intestines of a host animal such as a dog. They are a contagious internal parasite. To understand how the tapeworm moves from one animal to another, it helps to know how the tapeworm life cycle works.

  1. Hosts for a Tapeworm

    • According to veterinarian Holly Nash of Pet Education, tapeworms require an "intermediate" host in order to infest another animal.

    Tapeworm Segments

    • Inside an infested animal, the adult tapeworm is made up of a head, neck and segments. Each segment has its own individual reproductive organs, so new segments are constantly being produced by the tapeworm. Each segment is also full of tapeworm eggs.

    Tapeworm Eggs and the Intermediate Host

    • The tapeworm eggs are swallowed by an intermediate host, usually an insect. Often, a flea or a flea larva will swallow the eggs. Inside the flea or other host insect, the tapeworm eggs develop.

    Transmission

    • Whenever a host flea gets eaten by an animal, such as a dog, the immature tapeworm gets passed through the dog's digestive system, eventually reaching the intestines. There the tapeworm takes hold and begins the reproductive cycle.

    Tapeworms in Humans

    • Though this is often how dogs get tapeworms, humans generally get them through contaminated foods such as undercooked beef, pork or the meat of another infested animal.