You've spotted something in your dog's poo — little white grains, a thin spaghetti-like strand, or just a poo that doesn't look right. Worms are one of the most common things a dog owner deals with, and the good news is that nearly all of them are straightforward to treat once you know what you're looking at. This guide walks through each type, what it looks like, and exactly what to do.
- Rice-like white grains around the bottom or in the poo → almost certainly tapeworm.
- Long, thin, spaghetti-like strands → usually roundworm (most common in puppies).
- Nothing visible but soft, greasy, foul-smelling poo → could be giardia or another parasite you can't see — needs a vet test.
- See a vet in every case: the worm type and your dog's weight decide the right treatment. Don't guess the product.
What do worms in dog poop look like?
Some worms are visible to the naked eye and some aren't, which is why "I can't see anything" doesn't always mean "no worms." Here's how to tell the common ones apart. If it's the colour or consistency of the poo itself that's bothering you rather than a worm, our dog and cat poo health checker is the faster way to gauge what's normal and what isn't.
Tapeworm
Looks like: small, flat, white or cream rice grains. Tapeworm shows up as short, rice-like segments around your dog's bottom, in the poo, or stuck to bedding. When fresh they can wriggle slightly. These are the classic "short white worms in dog poop" people search for. Dogs usually pick tapeworm up by swallowing an infected flea, which is why flea and worm control go hand in hand.
Roundworm
Looks like: long, thin, spaghetti-like strands. Roundworms are longer, thin, white-to-cream and spaghetti-like. They're the most common worm overall — especially in puppies, who can be born with them or pick them up through their mother's milk. You might also see them in vomit. A heavy burden can cause a pot-bellied look, poor coat and weight loss.
Hookworm and whipworm
Looks like: usually invisible in poo. Hookworms and whipworms are small and thin and are rarely visible to the naked eye — they're typically diagnosed by a vet from a stool sample. They matter because they can cause weight loss, diarrhoea, and in the case of hookworm, anaemia (which can show as dark, tarry stool). If your dog has ongoing tummy trouble but you can't see anything, this is exactly why a vet test is worth it.
Giardia (a parasite, not a worm)
Looks like: nothing — but the poo is off. Giardia is a microscopic parasite you simply cannot see. The tell is the poo itself: soft, greasy, pale, and unusually foul-smelling, sometimes with mucus. It needs a specific vet test to confirm and a specific treatment — ordinary wormers won't clear it. If you're seeing mucus or a jelly-like coating, our guide to blood and mucus in dog poo explains what that can mean.
Worm identification at a glance
| Worm | Appearance | Often seen in | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tapeworm | Flat, white, rice-like segments | Around bottom, poo, bedding | Vet-advised wormer; treat fleas too |
| Roundworm | Long, thin, spaghetti-like | Poo and sometimes vomit | Vet-advised wormer; routine puppy worming |
| Hookworm | Usually not visible | Diagnosed by stool test | Vet test & treatment |
| Whipworm | Usually not visible | Diagnosed by stool test | Vet test & treatment |
| Giardia | Invisible; soft, greasy, smelly poo | Diagnosed by stool test | Specific vet treatment |
What to do if you find worms
The steps are simple, but the order matters:
- Don't panic, and don't guess the product. Different worms need different treatments, and the dose depends on your dog's weight. An over-the-counter wormer aimed at the wrong worm can leave the infection untreated.
- Take a photo (and if you can, bag a fresh sample). It genuinely speeds up your vet's diagnosis.
- Call your vet for the right treatment. Many worms also need a follow-up dose a couple of weeks later to catch the next life-cycle stage.
- Treat fleas at the same time if tapeworm is involved — the two are linked.
- Clean up promptly in the garden and wash bedding, as some worm eggs can linger in the environment.
Some dog worms (notably roundworm) can, rarely, infect humans — children especially. It's an easy risk to manage: wash hands after handling poo, pick up promptly, and keep your dog on a regular worming schedule. It's a reason to stay on top of prevention, not a reason to panic.
How often should you worm a dog?
This is the question that prevents the whole problem. As a general guide, adult dogs are usually wormed every three months, while puppies need worming much more often in their first months of life. The exact schedule depends on your dog's age, lifestyle (scavengers and hunters are higher risk), and whether you have young children at home — so confirm the right routine with your vet. We cover this in detail in how often you should worm a dog.
The hard part isn't the worming — it's remembering it. Treatments lapse, the three months slip to five, and that's when problems return. You can set worming and flea reminders on your pet's Supernormal profile so each dose is prompted automatically.
Catch the small stuff early
Easy to forget, easy to stay on top of — set a dental-check reminder so the small stuff gets caught early.
- Visible worms in poo or vomit
- Diarrhoea or soft, greasy, foul-smelling stool that won't settle
- Weight loss, a pot-bellied look, or a dull coat
- Dark, tarry stool (possible hookworm-related anaemia) — treat as urgent
- Worms in a puppy, a senior dog, or a dog who is unwell
What about cats?
Cats get many of the same worms — tapeworm (again, often flea-related) and roundworm are common, and the rice-like-grains and spaghetti-strand descriptions apply just the same. Outdoor hunters are at higher risk because prey can carry worms. The approach is identical: don't guess the product, get the right treatment by weight, and keep to a regular schedule.
Never miss a worming dose again
One Supernormal tag keeps your pet's full health profile, sets automatic worming and flea reminders, and puts Nova — our online vet advice in your pocket for the "is this a worm?" moments. Plus lost-pet recovery if they ever wander.
Related guides: Dog & Cat Poo Health Checker · Blood & mucus in dog poo · How often should you worm a dog? · White dog poo explained
This article helps you identify what you're seeing and decide when to act. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace veterinary care. Always confirm the right worming treatment with your vet.