Does raw meat give dogs worms?

Quick takeaways about raw-fed dogs and worms

• Dogs can contract worms from many places, including infected soil and contaminated water.
• Dogs fed a good quality raw diet are not at a higher risk of contracting worms.
• Keeping on top of worms is essential for all pet owners – with worming treatment or worm count tests.

The four most common types of intestinal worms to be aware of are roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and tapeworms. They’re parasites that live inside the body.

Your dog can contract worms in different ways, including as puppies from an infected mother and as adult dogs from contaminated soil, and they can also be picked up from eating infected raw meat.

Understandably, some dog owners link this risk with feeding a raw diet. Thankfully though, parasitic infections from raw meat mostly come from dogs eating dead animal carcasses out in the wild, not from eating raw food bought from a reputable source.

That’s because commercial raw foods are properly sourced, inspected and prepared, and – as with all Natures Menu dog food – the meat used is human-grade. On top of that, freezing raw meat before it’s consumed helps to ensure many, if not all parasites are killed.

We spoke to veterinary surgeon Dr Bella O’Connell, who uses nutrition as her primary therapy, to learn more about the link between raw dog food and worms.

 

How do dogs get worms?

Dogs can pick up intestinal worms from lots of places, including:

1. In the womb

“Mum can pass certain worms to her pup through the uterus if she's infected,” says Dr Bella. Puppies can also get worms from a mother's infected milk, so it’s important to worm puppies effectively.

 

2. Eating and walking on soil

If your dog eats dirt, they’re at risk of picking up intestinal worms from larvae. Hookworms can be picked up simply by walking on infected soil, as they can penetrate any part of your dog’s skin.

 

3. Scavenging dead animals

Eating dead wildlife, like birds, rodents or rabbits, is another way your dog could get intestinal worms. “Farm dogs who roam freely on farmland and pasture are at increased risk,” says Dr Bella.

 

4. Drinking contaminated water

Drinking from a stagnant pond or infected stream could open your dog to getting worms, so always give your pet access to clean drinking water, particularly when walking.

 

5. Eating infected poo

Stopping your dog from eating poop – another risk factor for worms – starts with determining the cause.“If your dog is coprophagic, there may be an imbalance in the gut, or it could be behavioural – for example, if they're a rescue dog that has been in a horrible situation,” says Dr Bella.

 

6. Snacking on slugs and snails

Dogs who eat slugs and snails are at risk of contracting lungworm. While it’s not an intestinal worm, it’s also common in the UK and can travel to other areas of your dog’s body and be fatal if left untreated.

 

Can raw meat increase your dog’s chances of getting worms?

Not necessarily, no. “Choosing a reputable supplier of raw food means they have the right checks and balances, so the risk is low,” says Dr Bella. At Natures Menu we ensure our raw food is safe and follow strict safety checks during production.

Maintaining good hygiene habits when storing and serving is also important. “Store raw food correctly – in a sealed container so you don't contaminate the freezer and the fridge – and always thaw it out properly. The same applies for raw meat for human consumption of course,” says Dr Bella.

 

Do you need to worm a raw-fed dog more often?

Keeping up to date with worming treatments is vital for all dogs, not just raw-fed dogs. And that’s because all dogs are at risk of contracting worms from various sources.

How often you’ll need to worm your dog depends on your situation, so talk to your vet for advice. “Frequency will depend on things like where you live and how high the risk to the dog population is,” says Dr Bella. “In some urban areas, the risk of intestinal worms can be higher.”

Farm dogs can also be at higher risk of contracting tapeworms and will need worming more often than non-farm dogs – as the National Sheep Association advises.

 

What is worm count and titre testing?

“Worm count testing is useful,” says Dr Bella. Also known as a faecal egg count (FEC) test, this measures the presence and number of parasite eggs in a sample of your dog’s poo. A targeted treatment plan can then be made.

“I also support titre testing” A titre test is a blood test that can check your dog’s immunity to some diseases. Some pet owners use titre testing to check if their dog needs a booster vaccination, for example, although it can only indicate antibody levels at the time of the test.

“This can give you a nice scientific answer as to how often you need to treat your dog, and it takes into account your environment – instead of just taking the vaccine manufacturers blanket recommendation.”

While faecal testing detects the active presence of intestinal worms, a blood test can be used to check for the presence of some other types of worms, like heartworm.

 

How can I lower the risk of my dog getting worms?

 

1. Don’t allow your dog to scavenge

Letting your dog loose around things like dead animals, slugs, and poo will significantly increase their chances of contracting worms. If they’re liable to scavenge, keep them on a lead – particularly on farmland and pasture – and always clean up their poo quickly.

 

2. Buy food from a reputable source

When choosing your dog’s food, consider a brand affiliated with associations like UK Pet Food. “There are so many new raw suppliers coming onto the market that independent checks are vital,” says Dr Bella.

 

3. Store and handle raw food correctly

To make storing and serving easier, Natures Menu's raw food is frozen for freshness, securely sealed and packaged, and shaped into mess-free chunks. Whichever brand of raw food you choose, always thaw it for the recommended time and bin it if it hasn’t been eaten within 30 minutes.

 

4. Keep your dog’s immune system topped up

“Alongside preventative measures and treatment, maintaining a healthy gut will give your dog the best protection against intestinal issues, including worms – and that starts with feeding them a high quality, species appropriate, nutritionally complete and balanced diet.”

“We have a responsibility to keep our pets healthy, and that is the most we can do to minimise the risk of any infectious disease being passed on,” says Dr Bella.

 
 

About Dr Bella

Dr Bella has been a veterinary surgeon for 23 years. She has always been passionate about pet nutrition and focuses on good nutrition to both prevent and treat disease. contact@thenutritionvet.co.uk.