Seeing your dog go through a pesky worm infestation can be rough. There are five major worm types — heartworms, roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, and whipworms — that your dog or puppy can pick up.
Left untreated, irritating parasites and intestinal worms can cause a number of health issues. Luckily, there are tons of home remedies, prescriptions, and over-the-counter treatments to keep your pooch parasite-free.
Here, I’ll tell you all about the best dewormers, prevention, identification, and more to win the battle against worms.
Let’s dive in!
Best Dog Deworming Tablets in the UK
1. Drontal Dog Tasty Bone
Drontal deworming medicines are commonly used by veterinarians on cats and dogs for tapeworm and roundworm infestations. They help in the prevention and eradication of worms. Drontal’s dog tasty bones kill worms in your dog within 24 hours.
They don’t have an empty stomach mandate so that you can feed the wormer to your pup with a meal.
Buy Drontal Dog Dewormer on Amazon
You can also go for the Cazitel Plus Tablet for Dogs. They’re chemically the same as Drontal, just with a different flavour.
2. Veloxa XL Chewable Dog Wormer
Velona’s XL Chewable is costly, but it’s the best chewable dog wormer in the UK market.
It’s an excellent option if your dog has trouble swallowing tablets.
Buy Veloxa XL Chewable Dog Wormer on Amazon
Can I deworm my dog without going to the vet?
Generally, purchasing over-the-counter treatments and deworming your dogs at home is possible. Still, it’s best to consult a veterinarian before administering any new medication to your pet. Once approved, you can use the dewormer every time in the future.
This is because a vet can accurately diagnose the type of worm infestation your dog has and recommend the most effective treatment. Additionally, some types of worm infestations can have serious health consequences if left untreated, so it’s important to have your pet examined by a professional to ensure proper treatment and care.
Most over-the-counter dog dewormers get rid of roundworms but not other parasitic worms. Don’t be alarmed if your dog has a worm infestation. Begin home treatment immediately. The next step is to visit the vet to eliminate any other species.
Some dewormers may be unsuitable for your dog. Talk with your vet to filter through your options.
1. Do you need a prescription for worming tablets?
Dozens of deworming tablets and medications exist in the UK market. Some require a prescription from the vet or other authorised doctor, while many others do not.
2. How much does deworming cost at the vet?
Veterinarian doctors usually charge between £25 to £50 for a deworming consultation for your dog. The consultation and checkup cost about £22 to £45, while the medication is about £3 to £5.
Deworming Your Dog Using Home Remedies in the UK
You can often treat worms and even prevent recurring parasite infections in your dog with one or more home deworming remedies.
Pumpkin seeds, carrots, coconut, kefir, apple cider vinegar, turmeric, oats, and chamomile are natural dewormers for dogs. When used correctly, they’re excellent non-harmful home remedies to get rid of your dog’s worm infestation.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Put 0.25 – 1 teaspoon of raw organic apple cider vinegar in water for your dog daily to eliminate worms.
It raises the alkalinity of your dog’s stomach and intestines, making the environment inhospitable for both worms and ticks.
2. Kefir
Kefir is a fermented milk product with an indefinite shelf life and anti-parasitic properties. It can kill worms along with a host of other issues.
3. Coconut
Dried coconut and coconut oil act as a vermifuge and other health benefits. Sprinkle dried coconut or coconut oil in your dog’s meal, or get dog food made with coconut oil.
The serving size depends on your dog’s weight. One teaspoon is enough for small dogs, two teaspoons for medium-size dogs, and a whole tablespoon for larger dogs.
4. Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds are an excellent organic dewormer. They contain cucurbitacin, an amino acid that’s anti-parasitic. Cucurbitacin paralyses worms, making elimination easier for your dog’s internal organs.
Add whole or powdered seeds to your dog’s daily meals. Fresh, organic pumpkin seeds are best. Avoid packaged salty purchases. Feed them one teaspoon per 10lbs of body weight twice daily.
Read More: Water Intoxication in Dogs: What is it and how to reverse it?
5. Carrots
Carrots for deworming is a controversial process.
When chopped coarsely, carrots scrape the walls of your dog’s intestines and stomach. This not only gets rid of mucus and parasitic worms but also provides nutrients.
6. Oats
Not technically a remedy but more like a preparatory ingredient. Beta-glucan in oats helps your dog fight bacterias and parasites (worms).
7. Turmeric
Turmeric has medicinal value around the world. In Asia, the Golden Spice is rubbed on upset stomachs, added to milk to boost energy, and smoothed over the face for anti-Inflammatory and skin repair (see also our article on treating dog elbow callus). It can help your dog too.
Turmeric has anti-bacterial, anti-parasitic, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties. There are four compounds in turmeric that eliminate worms.
Note: Turmeric contains curcumin which is slightly harder for your dog to absorb. Use coconut oil or another lubricant to soothe the gut.
8. Chamomile
Introducing chamomile to your dog’s daily diet can eliminate roundworms and whipworms. Don’t use more than 0,25 ml – 0,50 ml per 20 lbs of body weight.
What is the best time of day to deworm a dog?
Worming medicines and schedules depend on the type of deworming treatment, dog breed, and other factors. But, in general, is there a best time of day? Or is it really subjective?
You can deworm your dog anytime day or night. The time doesn’t matter as long as it’s after a meal. Deworming treatment can aggravate an empty stomach.
Also, food mixed with the treatment can slow down ingestion, making potential symptoms milder. Also, your schedule also matters because you should monitor the symptoms.
If you’re relatively free in the morning, you can deworm post-breakfast. If evenings are better, you can do it post-supper or after dinnertime.
Note: Read the label properly. Some worming medicine works better on an empty stomach.
Time of year matters as well.
Worming is especially important during spring and summer because worms are super active in warmer environments. That said, worms exist all year round. It’s best to be vigilant and proactive regardless.
How do you know if your dog has tapeworms?
- Diarrhoea: Canine diarrhoea and subsequent dehydration are the most common symptoms of worms headed for your dog’s internal organs. Blood in the stool can indicate hookworms as well.
- Coughing: Worms in your dog’s lungs trigger a persistent cough. It’s a non-productive cough (without mucus) that’s weak and dry. Initial lungworm symptoms (aka parasitic infection of the respiratory tract) are often presented after a strenuous exercise or playtime activity.
- Puking: Dogs puke for many reasons. Red flag if you see a yellow-greenish extract or even worms in the mix.
- Low energy & change in appetite: Worms in dogs can cause a loss of appetite and sometimes serious hunger pangs. Irregular eating comes with lethargy and extreme weight loss.
- Itching and skin irritations: A sudden rash with signs of skin irritants can lead to your dog scooting and rubbing the infected area on the floor for temporary relief.
You can read about the specific symptoms of each worm on petmd.
How do dogs get worms in the first place?
Dogs get worms when they ingest the eggs or larvae of one of the five worm species. The eggs hatch, then the larvae attach to the intestinal wall of dogs until it grows into adult worm.
Now, how did your dog get worm eggs/larvae in the first place? The most common culprits are ingesting faeces, soil, and mud.
Another way for your dog to get worms is by licking their fur and ingesting fleas that would have laid eggs near the area.
Some unfortunate pups can even get worms from their mother through the placenta or during nursing.
Can you prevent worms in dogs?
Worms in dogs and cats are super common, so prevention isn’t guaranteed, but it’s certainly possible to keep your pooch parasite free. Parasite prevention is easy if you avoid the filth. Worms are dirty organisms that manifest in dirty places or via fleas and rats.
Follow these golden rules to avoid worm infection and complications:
- Regular worming treatment
- Regular flea treatment
- Clean living area
- Keep your dog away from faeces
- Discourage outdoor sleeping
- Non-contaminated food
Read More: Which human foods are toxic for your dog? And which are safe?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Are worms in dog poop an emergency?
Worms in your dog’s poop are not an emergency. It’s an indicator of a worm infestation and a reminder to deworm immediately.
2. Can I get worms from my dog licking me?
Unfortunately, your dog can pass some worms to you, but not all. Parasites like hookworms, roundworms and giardia can be transmitted to humans through dogs by licking.
3. Are worms in dog poop contagious?
While your dog’s intestinal worms and parasites can be transferred to humans and other animals through licking, worms in your dog’s poop aren’t contagious.
4. Can a dog get worms again after being dewormed?
Dogs can (and most often do) get worms again after being dewormed. Worming medicines aren’t a permanent solution. They only kill the worms inside your dog’s body, so deworming at regular intervals is important.
5. How quickly do dog worming tablets work?
Deworming tablets (medicine) start working between 2 to 6 hours. Some might even take up to 12 hours after entering your dog’s body. Once the work begins, you’ll see worms in their poop for 7 to 14 days, depending on the severity of infection.
6. What happens if worms are left untreated in dogs?
Worms can inflict severe damage to your pooch’s internal organs and cause parasitic-worm disease if left untreated. The consequences could range from loss of consciousness to sudden death.
7. How often should pups be wormed?
Puppies should be dewormed often (approximately once every two weeks till they’re 12 weeks) to prevent a massive worm infestation in their glands. Then use deworming medicine once per month until they’re six months old.
8. Is Dewormer safe for older dogs?
Most dewormers are generally safe for adult and older dogs, but too often can be harmful. While worms in senior dogs aren’t necessarily fatal, we recommend deworming every three months.
9. Can your dog have fleas and worms at the same time?
While fleas and worms have similar life cycles, they don’t necessarily go together. It’s possible (but not probable) for your dog to have worms and fleas simultaneously. Even if they do, they shouldn’t be treated simultaneously.
10. How long should I wait to feed my dog after deworming?
Try feeding your dog immediately after deworming on an empty stomach. Loss of appetite is a common side-effect of the medication, but it’s not something to worry about. Prepare a small but healthy and enticing meal to lure the pooch in.
You can also help your dog recover with fun activities. Short walks and puppy massages are great ways to get their energy back.
