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how to get rid of worms in a dog

How to Get Rid of Worms in a Dog Without Going to the Vet

Worms in dogs can be treated in a number of ways. We look at how to get rid of worms, including without going to the vet.

Dogs are full of surprises, which is part of the fun that comes with owning one. That being said, some of those surprises aren’t so fun, like when your dog gets sick or gets worms. 

When a dog gets worms, it might seem scary or overwhelming at first, but don’t worry too much. Whether you choose to use medication or try to get rid of worms in a dog without going to the vet, you’re likely to be successful. 

There are many reasons why a person might choose not to take a dog to the vet to treat worms. Sometimes it’s for financial reasons; other times, it’s because the owner just wants to try a more natural remedy. 

Either way, you’re in good hands. Read on to learn how to get rid of worms in a dog without going to the vet and get your dog back to their usual self.

Signs and Symptoms That Your Dog Has Worms

First things first, before you learn more about how to get rid of worms in a dog without going to the vet, you’ll need to know how to recognize the signs and symptoms that your dog has worms in the first place. 

So how can you tell if your dog has worms? Here’s a list of things to look for that can indicate that your dog has worms. 

  • A bloated belly
  • Your dog has diarrhea.
  • Vomiting
  • There is a sharp decline in your dog’s energy, or they experience sudden weight loss.
  • Your dog’s coat loses its shine and becomes dull.
  • Worm eggs present in feces
  • Your dog has a cough.
  • You notice live worms on your dog’s fur or in the ears

Before jumping to conclusions and convincing yourself that your dog has worms, keep in mind that one or two symptoms aren’t enough to make that determination. If you have found that your dog is exhibiting several symptoms, it’s a strong indication that your dog has worms. 

Another common sign that can indicate when a dog has worms is when your dog frequently scoots their rear end across the floor. Again, don’t just assume that this means that your dog has worms. If, however, your dog has frequently been scooting across the floor, has diarrhea, and you’ve found worms in the feces, you can be reasonably sure.  

Why Do Dogs Get Worms?

Now that you know more about how to determine whether your dog has worms or not, you might be wondering how dogs even get worms in the first place. There are several ways that dogs can get worms. Here are some of the most common causes. 

Do you know how some dogs eat feces? Well, as it turns out, that’s one of the leading causes of worms. Every time your dog eats feces, there’s a risk of contracting worms. While many dogs can be very determined to feast upon wastes, it’s up to you to deter them from doing so.

Some dogs are exposed to worms early in life and contract hookworm or roundworm from their mother. Hookworm and roundworm larvae can be transferred to puppies during pregnancy by traveling through the placenta and into the mammary glands. If the mother gave your dog worms, the worms would continue to grow and mature in the small intestine. 

Another way that your dog can get worms is by accidentally ingesting fleas while grooming. Fleas can carry tapeworm by eating tapeworm eggs. If your dog eats fleas while grooming, the fleas will take the tapeworm with them, introducing them to your dog’s small intestine. 

Types of Worms That Affect Dogs

There are several types of worms that affect dogs. As a dog-owner, you should make an effort to familiarize yourself with these worms so that you can keep your pet safe from worms and be able to treat them. You should know what kind of worms can affect your dog. 

It’s essential to know about the different kinds of worms that can affect dogs because some worms can be more harmful than others. 

  • Tapeworms are nasty and potentially harmful. They’re transmitted by the ingestion of fleas and attach to the intestinal wall. Tapeworms can also affect humans. 
  • If your dog has Whipworms, you need to treat it as soon as possible. Humans cannot contract Whipworms from dogs, but you should still make an effort to provide your dog with treatment before the worms can inflict any significant damage. 
  • Hookworms can cause abdominal pain and cramping. As Hookworms can cause physical pain, they should be taken seriously. Humans can also become hosts to Hookworms, and you can get them by walking barefoot on soil contaminated with Hookworm laden dog feces. 
  • Both dogs and humans are affected by Roundworms, which can be contracted by contact with contaminated soil like Hookworms. Roundworms are the most common type of worm found in dogs. Humans who contract Roundworms by exposure to contaminated soil or petting a dog with Roundworms may go blind. Roundworms traverse from the intestinal wall into other organs, causing more severe harm. 
  • Heartworms affect dogs’ hearts and lungs. They are introduced by mosquito bites and can lead to lung problems and even heart failure. Protecting your dog from Heartworm is imperative to keeping them healthy and giving them a long, comfortable life. 

Natural Ways to Treat Worms

For those of you that want to know how to get rid of worms in a dog without going to the vet, you’ll need to try natural over-the-counter remedies. There are plenty of natural over-the-counter medications out there. Just be sure to do your research on each one before giving it to your dog. 

Feeding your dog fermented vegetables is one way to treat worms naturally. A ratio of 1 to 3 teaspoons of fermented vegetables per day per 20 lbs of body weight is recommended. Black cumin seeds and pumpkin seeds have also been beneficial as a natural remedy for worms.

Vegetable juice and garlic are natural remedies for worms that you can quickly provide for your dog. When treating worms with garlic, wait for 10 to 15 minutes after chopping the garlic before feeding it to your dog. Be sure to use garlic in moderate amounts. Small dogs should only eat one-quarter of a clove of garlic per day. 

You can also use parsley, bone broth, and apple cider vinegar as natural treatment options for worms. The best strategy is to use a combination of these ingredients and incorporate them into your dog’s diet to effectively treat, combat, and eradicate worms from your dog’s body. 

Now that you know more about getting rid of worms in a dog without going to the vet, let’s look at conventional medical treatments for worms and why so many pet owners try to avoid them. 

Medical Treatments for Worms

Sometimes natural remedies just don’t cut it. After all, worms aren’t something to mess around with, as they can be potentially fatal for your pet if left unchecked. Should your dog require medical treatment, here’s what you can expect. 

Veterinarians typically employ a variety of antiparasitic drugs to treat worms medically. Deworming is a standard medical treatment used to treat and prevent worms in dogs. Praziquantel is a frequently used injection that is highly effective in treating Tapeworms in particular. 

Unfortunately, while effective, antiparasitic drugs can also kill off helpful organisms in your dog’s intestinal system that support their immune system and their ability to absorb nutrients. As such, antiparasitic drugs have been known to cause several potentially serious problems in dogs. You should understand that some of these problems can ultimately lead to your dog’s death. 

Antiparasitic drugs can cause your dog to experience seizures, vomiting, liver damage, loss of appetite, diarrhea, lethargy, and death. This is why many people prefer to treat and prevent worms naturally instead of relying on veterinarians and antiparasitic drugs.  

Natural Ways to Prevent Worms in Dogs

One of the best things you can do as a pet owner is to make an effort to use natural ways to prevent worms from infecting your dog in the first place. Feeding your dog plenty of fruits and vegetables is a natural and effective way to prevent worms actively. 

Be sure to supply your dog with plenty of Vitamin A, which combats worms. Watercress, carrots, papaya, squash, and fennel are all excellent things to feed your pet and mix into their food to help prevent worms. 

Another way to prevent your dog from contracting worms is to keep them away from other dogs, especially dogs you know already have worms. 

Final Thoughts

Owning a dog brings a lot of happiness, but it also brings some responsibility. You don’t have to be afraid of worms. As long as you take the appropriate precautions and treatments, your dog should be just fine.

Superb Dog Editor

Superb Dog Editor