Dogs get Giardia by ingesting the parasite's cysts, which are shed in the feces of infected animals and can contaminate water, soil, food, or objects. These cysts are hardy, can survive for months in the environment, and are immediately infectious upon ingestion
. Common ways dogs become infected include:
- Drinking water contaminated with Giardia cysts from sources like ponds, creeks, or puddles
- Eating or sniffing contaminated ground, food, or feces
- Licking their fur, paws, or hind end where cysts may remain after contact with contaminated surfaces or feces
- Being in environments with high fecal contamination such as kennels, shelters, or pet stores, which increases exposure risk
In summary, dogs contract Giardia primarily through the fecal-oral route by ingesting cysts present in contaminated water, soil, food, or objects contaminated with infected feces
