A dog can get worms by playing in contaminated soil, eating wild or infected animals, or drinking milk from the mother. Worms are parasites found in the intestine.
They are more common in puppies than in older dogs and can lead to diarrhea, weight loss, and vomiting. The best way to eliminate worms is by giving your dog deworming medicine.
Although, in this article, we will also talk about some natural remedies for how to get rid of worms in a dog without going to the vet. But, we do recommend consulting your vet before administering any of these remedies to your dog.
Let’s begin!
Remedies To Get Rid Of Worms In Dogs
There are a lot of remedies for getting rid of worms in dogs, many of which are myths and could be potentially fatal for your dog. One such myth is that giving your dog garlic will help with deworming. Instead, it could make your dog anemic.
All dogs, no matter what their age, gender, or breed, can develop a parasitic infestation. However, the symptoms and severity will be different for everyone. Adult dogs and pups are more at risk because of a weak immune system.
Dog owners can make changes to their dog’s diet to treat worms, like feeding them fermented vegetables. Here are some of the remedies that you can give your dog for nutrition and to combat worms:
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar raises the alkaline levels in a dog’s intestines, making them inhospitable for worms. It also weakens the parasite’s hold on the intestinal wall, making it easy for them to be flushed away with food.
Along with the many health benefits, apple cider vinegar also helps in improving the quality of your dog’s fur. For best results, mix 1 tsp of organic apple cider vinegar in the water until you start to see improvement.
2. Carrots
Carrots are a good source of fiber. The carrots will enter your dog’s intestines and scrape the worms off the intestinal walls. Feed your dog chunks of carrots, which will not be fully digested and will be passed through the body in the same form, potentially bringing some worms along.
In addition to deworming, carrots are a great source of vitamin A and nutrients, help boost the immune system, and are yummy to eat!
3. Turmeric
Turmeric is a medicinal ingredient used in many homemade remedies for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It soothes the dog’s internal organs and provides relief from the damage caused by worms.
Its healing properties will help flush the toxins out of your dog’s body and cleanse the organs. You could give your dog some turmeric-infused treats or mix them with coconut oil to make a paste.
4. Chamomile
Chamomile’s soothing properties work wonders on both humans and dogs. It can be used to get rid of whipworms and roundworms in your dog. And, it is also helpful in reducing bloating and inflammation caused by intestinal parasites.
5. Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds comprise an amino acid called cucurbitacin, which renders the worms paralyzed. This makes the worms immobile, and they are not able to hold on to the intestinal wall. Once they lose their hold on the host, they can be easily excreted from the body.
We recommend using good-quality, organic pumpkin seeds instead of canned ones. You can feed your dog whole seeds or crush them and mix them in your dog’s food.
Most Common Types Of Dog Worms
There are many different types of worms your dog can contract and they each have different symptoms.
Here are some of the most common worms, their symptoms, and a treatment plan to get rid of them:
1. Roundworms
This is the most common type of worm found in dogs, and all dogs are likely to develop a roundworm infestation at some point in their lives. In most cases, newborn puppies become infected by their mother while feeding.
The worst thing is that roundworms don’t cause any symptoms, making them very difficult to diagnose. They can also be easily transferred to other pets and even humans in the same house. That is why it is necessary to get your dog tested regularly as a precautionary measure.
2. Hookworms
Hookworms infect a dog’s small intestine, and the really dangerous thing about them is that the area they bite off keeps bleeding, causing a lot of blood loss. These intestinal worms are most commonly picked up by young pups by drinking their mother’s milk or by eating the stool of an infected dog.
Its symptoms are lethargy, weight loss, dull coat, and diarrhea. You can diagnose hookworms by checking the stool or by looking at their ears and gums, which will look significantly paler.
3. Tapeworms
Tapeworms are made from tiny sections, which can detach and exit the dog’s body through feces. The exiting of tapeworms can irritate the dog’s rectum. If you see your dog rubbing its rear end on the floor or scratching its rectum, then it is a clear indication of a tapeworm infestation.
Tapeworms are commonly contracted by a flea carrying tapeworm eggs or larva. Humans can also contract them from their dogs or by carrier fleas.
4. Ringworms
Ringworm is not a worm but a fungus. It can cause abrasion and inflammation on your dog’s skin. The skin diseases caused by ringworms are curable but time-consuming.
5. Heartworms
As the name suggests, heartworms reside in the heart or the pulmonary arteries of a dog. They can be contracted from the bite of an infected mosquito, which transfers the worm eggs and larvae to your dog.
It cannot be seen in the dog’s stool, so you have to take preventative measures against it. Its symptoms are lethargy, loss of appetite, and a cough.
6. Whipworms
Whipworm eggs can survive for many years and can be picked up by your dog from contaminated soil or through ingestion. But unlike roundworms, humans cannot contract whipworms from dogs.
Whipworms adversely affect your dog with severe symptoms like anemia, dehydration, diarrhea, and weight loss. Do not delay treatment in the case of whipworms because they can be deadly for your pet.
On top of the prescribed medication, you can boost your dog’s blood count level by feeding them iron-rich foods and providing vitamin B in the form of carrots or pumpkin.
Signs That Your Dog Needs A Deworming
Vets perform a fecal test on your dog’s poop to see if there are any worms or eggs in there. They mix the dog stool in sugar water and put a slide on top. The eggs float in sugar water and will be collected on the slide. Then, vets inspect the slide under a microscope and see the eggs.
But how will you know when to take your dog to the vet? Worms can affect dogs adversely. Some symptoms that your dog is infested with worms and needs treatment are:
- Lethargy
- Watery or bloody stool
- Vomiting
- Lack of appetite
- Weight loss
- Dull coat
- Constipation
- Scooting its rear end on the ground or scratching
- Dehydration
- Coughing
- Pale gums
- Breathing problems
Methods Of Preventing Worms In Dog Poop
Since there are no vaccinations for worms, pet owners have to be extra vigilant and take proper precautions against parasites, such as:
- The best way to avoid a parasitic infestation is to stick to a deworming routine. They are easily available over the counter, but you should only buy them after consulting your vet. The dose of dewormer depends on the size and body weight of the dog.
- Check your dog’s poop quarterly, once every four months.
- Don’t leave your dog’s feces in the open for too long. You should throw it away as soon as your dog is finished. When in public areas, scoop the poop using gloves and put it in a sealable bag to throw away later.
- Don’t let your dog sniff around or lick potentially contaminated soil or other animals’ fecal matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is some more information regarding deworming your dog that could be useful:
- What Happens If You Don’t Deworm Your Dog?
If you don’t deworm your dog or take preventative measures against it, the initial symptoms such as weight loss and pneumonia can lead to bigger problems such as damaged organs, loss of consciousness, and even death. If left untreated, worms can also be transmitted to your family.
- How Long Do Worms Stay In Dogs?
The deworming medicines will kill parasites within 2–14 hours. Your dog will excrete worms for 2-3 days after deworming is finished. It is completely normal to see worms in their stool for up to a week.
Conclusion
All dog owners are recommended to check their dog’s stool every few days to see if there are any worms in there. It is the most common way of confirming a parasitic infestation in your dog.
But, in the initial stages of a worm infestation, a dog’s feces will only contain worm eggs, which will not be visible to the naked eye. And if you can spot worms in the dog poop, then the infestation has spread too much and can be extremely fatal.
In this case, you should go to the vet and start treatment immediately. These natural remedies will only help to a limited extent and can be used to give relief to your pet from coughing, lethargy, etc.
