Do Fleas Cause Worms?

If you own a dog, you may be wondering, “Do fleas cause worms?” Worms are transmitted from humans to pets, and the best way to avoid the infection is to prevent fleas from infesting your pet. Several ways are available to prevent worms from infecting your dog, including hygiene, flea control, and regular testing. An excellent resource for dog owners is Dr. Klein’s e-book. It includes important information about preventing worms in your dog, as well as helpful tips on dog ownership.

Fleas have a life cycle of approximately three to four weeks. Although they can live in the environment for several years, fleas only bite an animal in order to survive. While they are most often found on cats, they can also bite humans. They feed off the blood of their animal host and lay their eggs in bedding and carpets. The eggs hatch and develop into larvae, which feed on dirt and other debris. After feeding, they develop into pupae.

Fleas feed from the skin of their hosts through a tiny mouth part called the proboscis. Before feeding, fleas secrete saliva onto the host’s skin. The saliva contains a protein that causes a reaction in its host. Adult fleas can survive the cold winter on a pet or wildlife.