Can people get tapeworms from dogs?

It's rare, but transmission of the Dipylidium caninum tapeworm can occur if you were to swallow an infected flea (which is exactly how pets get tapeworms). Proper sanitation will help decrease your risk of getting parasites from dogs. Do not walk barefoot where your dog poops. read more

Dogs can get tapeworms from fleas, mice, or other rodents. Flea control is an important step in protecting your dog from tapeworms. People rarely are affected by dog tapeworms. Other kinds of worms that dogs can get include heartworms, hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms. read more

Once the flea is digested by the dog or cat, the larval tapeworm is able to develop into an adult tapeworm. The adult tapeworm is made up of many small segments, called proglottids, each about the size of a grain of rice. read more