Will Hammerhead Worms Make Your Pet Sick?

Hammerhead worms are an invasive species of flatworm that is making its way across the US. There have been many warnings on the East Coast about these worms and making sure that they aren’t near your children or pets, but the details aren’t clear. It may leave you wondering if hammerhead worms make your pet sick or not, and why that is.

Thanks to the neurotoxin inside of hammerhead worms, it’s not recommended that you let your pets near them. They are mildly to extremely toxic to all animals, including dogs and cats. If they eat, or even touch the worms, they can end up getting very sick. Thankfully, most of the time, it won’t kill your pet. But it does make them very ill for a few days, so it’s best to keep your pets away to be safe.

If you want to learn more about hammerhead worms and the dangers they pose to you and your family, including your beloved pets, you’ll find more information below.

What Are Hammerhead Worms?

Hammerhead worms (Bipalium fuscatum) are a species of flatworm. They are native to Southeast Asia but were accidentally introduced to Europe and North America. These pests tend to hide on plants and can survive as they travel overseas. Furthermore, hammerhead worms are very distinctive thanks to their heads, which look a lot like hammerhead sharks or pickaxes, so there’s no need to pick one up and inspect the animal and risk hurting yourself.

These worms can be found anywhere earthworms are present. Like earthworms, they prefer moist soils and are commonly found in gardens and forests. However, a drought is not enough to kill them off. In drier conditions, they will coat themselves in thick mucus to stay wet until conditions are favorable again.

These worms are a problem. They are invasive, steadily killing earthworm populations. Hammerhead worms use a neurotoxin known as tetrodotoxin, which is the same toxin you’ll find in pufferfish. They use this toxin to stun their prey, the earthworm.

What Are the Side Effects of a Pet Eating Hammerhead Worms?

Generally, eating a hammerhead worm won’t severely injure your beloved pet. Due to the small amount of the neurotoxin they produce (just enough to paralyze an earthworm), it doesn’t have enough to kill most pets. At most, hammerhead worms will usually just make your pet sick.

However, one of the defense mechanisms of the worms is to make the animals that eat them throw them back up. This means that your pet may become painfully ill. They will likely throw up, at least once, if not several times. They also feel sick for a day or two. If they touch the worm, such as nuzzling or pawing at it, they may also show signs of skin irritation.

There are, of course, always severe side effects that happen to a small part of the population. If your pets are sensitive to the neurotoxin, they may develop a rash or minimal swelling in their throat, which may make it difficult for them to breathe.

It’s important to keep an eye on your pet for the next day or two. If they start to show more serious signs than lethargy and nausea, it’s a good idea to take your pet to the vet.

What States Have Hammerhead Worms?

Hammerhead worms have been found in the US since 1901, and they’ve been slowly making their way across the US. Currently, the states they can be found in the wild include Alabama, California, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, Texas, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

Other states have found them in small groups or greenhouses, but the conditions weren’t favorable enough for them to spread and make a permanent home out of the areas.

Is it OK to Touch Hammerhead Worms?

It’s not recommended to touch hammerhead worms when you come across them. Though their toxins are mild, they are enough to cause skin irritation, or a bad rash if you’re sensitive to the neurotoxin. Instead, you should always wear gloves when you are interacting with these worms.

What Happens if You Eat a Hammerhead Worm?

Like with pets, there isn’t much danger if you or a family member eats one of these hammerhead worms. You may get a rash in your mouth or throat, and you will likely throw up, or at least feel sick for a few days.

Some people might not even get any symptoms, as you’d need to ingest more of the toxin than your pet would to feel negative effects.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © zaidi razak/Shutterstock.com