Cats and dogs can serve as unwilling hosts to many tiny organisms that benefit from living in their intestines. Four groups of worms - roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, and whipworms - and a few species of single-cell organisms, such as coccidia and giardia are the most common.

There are many ways by which your pet can become infected, including:

• drinking contaminated water
  
• coming into contact with other infected animals
  
• coming into contact with infected feces
  
• getting bitten by fleas
  
• ursing from an infected mother
  

Any dog or cat can become infected with intestinal parasites, but puppies and kittens are more susceptible than adults dogs and cats. Young pets can get parasites from their mothers and from living with other infected dogs or cats.

Healthy, well-fed pets may have an intestinal parasite infection without showing any physical signs. However, watch for the following:

• change in appetite
  
• coughing
  
• diarrhea (sometimes with blood)
  
• weight loss
  
• skin irritation and itching
  
• rough or dry coat
  
• overall poor appearance
  

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