How to Clean Up After a Dog or Cat With Worms: Yard, Litter Box and Kids

Your vet has found worms in your dog or cat. The medicine treats your pet, but the eggs in their poop can stay in your yard, litter box and sandbox for a long time. They can also reach people, especially children who play on the ground. This guide covers the cleanup side: what to pick up, how often, and how to keep your family safe while your pet is treated.

The advice here follows the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), whose pages on pet roundworms and hookworms are public domain. Quoted lines are marked. Treatment and the deworming schedule are your vet’s job, not ours.

How worms spread from pets

Infected dogs and cats pass worm eggs or larvae in their poop. The CDC explains that roundworm eggs get into the soil this way, and that “it takes 2 – 4 weeks in the environment for the eggs to develop enough to cause infection.” People usually catch roundworms by accidentally swallowing soil, sand or something that touched contaminated soil. Hookworm larvae work differently: they get in through the skin, typically when someone walks or sits barefoot on contaminated ground.

That 2 to 4 week window is the key to cleanup. Poop picked up quickly is removed before its eggs become dangerous.

Pick up poop every day

The CDC’s toxocariasis page says “pet waste should be picked up daily and buried or bagged and disposed of.” During and after treatment, make this a daily habit:

Walk the yard once a day with bags or a scooper and gloves.
Bag the poop, tie the bag and put it in the outdoor bin.
Do not put poop from a pet with worms in the compost.
Pick up straight away on walks and in parks, too.

Some dewormers make a pet pass dead or dying worms for a day or two. Pick these up the same way.

Litter boxes

Scoop at least once a day, so eggs don’t sit in the litter long enough to mature. Wear gloves, or wash your hands well straight after. When you change the litter, empty it into a bag and tie it closed. Wash the box with hot water and dish soap, rinse and let it dry fully before you refill it. Have someone who is not pregnant do this job if possible, and keep young children away from the box.

For a full routine, see our guide to controlling litter box smell.

Indoor accidents

Worms often come with diarrhea, so indoor accidents are common. Put on gloves and lift as much as you can with paper towels. Bag it straight away. Then clean the spot with an enzyme cleaner, following the label. On hard floors, wash the area with hot soapy water afterwards. Wash any bedding or blankets that got soiled on a hot cycle.

The yard and play areas

The CDC advises keeping “play areas, lawns, and gardens around your home free of animal feces.” Some practical steps:

If you can, keep your dog to one part of the yard for toilet trips while it is being treated. That makes daily pickup easier and keeps the rest of the yard clean.
Keep children from playing in the spot your pet uses.
Wear gloves when you garden, and wash vegetables from the garden well.
Wear shoes in the yard. Hookworm larvae get in through bare skin.

Sandboxes

Outdoor cats often treat an open sandbox as a litter box. The CDC’s advice is simple: “Cover sandboxes when not in use.” If you find poop in the sandbox, remove it and the sand around it. Speak to your vet about whether the sand should be changed.

Hand washing and kids

Hand washing does most of the work. The CDC says to wash “your and your children’s hands with soap and water after playing with pets or other animals, after outdoor activities, and before handling food or eating.” Also:

Teach children not to put dirt or sand in their mouths.
Don’t let your pet lick children’s faces while it is being treated.
Wash hands after scooping, gardening and walking the dog, even if you wore gloves.

Bedding, bowls and toys

Wash pet bedding and soft toys on a hot cycle and dry them fully. Wash bowls and hard toys in hot soapy water, or in the dishwasher if they are safe for it. This isn’t something the CDC asks for specifically. It simply removes any poop your pet may have spread around the house.

Prevent the next round

Follow your vet’s deworming schedule. The CDC says to “have puppies and kittens dewormed by a veterinarian at an early age.”
Ask your vet about a monthly preventive that also covers worms.
Keep fleas under control. Some tapeworms spread through fleas. See our guide to cleaning your home during a flea problem.
Keep your dog on a leash so it is less likely to eat poop or other dirt outside.

Keep cleanup supplies ready

Diarrhea and accidents tend to happen during treatment. Our Professional Pet Stain & Odor Cleaning Kit handles the stain and smell left on carpet and upholstery. It is a cleaner, not a disinfectant, and it does not kill worm eggs. Always pick up and bag the poop first.

Frequently asked questions

Can I catch worms from my dog or cat?

Yes, some can be. Roundworms and hookworms from dogs and cats can infect people, usually through contaminated soil or sand rather than from petting. Daily pickup, hand washing and treating your pet keep the risk low. If you are worried about your own health, speak to your doctor.

Do I need to bleach the whole house?

No. Worm eggs are passed in poop, so the main job is picking up poop quickly, cleaning litter boxes and washing anything soiled. Talk to your vet if your home needs more than that.

How long should I keep up the extra cleaning?

Do it until your vet confirms the treatment has worked, which often means a follow-up poop test. Then keep picking up poop as a normal habit.

My dog ate poop in the yard. Should I worry?

Eating poop is one way pets pick up worms. Pick up poop daily so there is nothing to eat. Tell your vet, who may suggest a fecal test.