Worming Dogs

Author: Tracey   Date Posted:26 June 2024 

Things to think about when worming your dog 

Worming your dog is one of the most important aspects of general dog care.  It must be done and be done regularly.   It is important that you have a regular worming routine for your dog. All dogs can pick up worms and it is so easy to protect them from these awful parasites.  Whilst protecting your dog you are also protecting yourself and other loved ones as we can catch roundworm which are very nasty for humans to get.   

1. How to choose the right wormer for your dog 

It is important to choose a broad spectrum wormer that covers all the intestinal worms.  This includes Roundworm, whipworm, tapeworm and hookworm.  Good quality intestinal worming tablets include Drontal, Popantel, Value Plus Canine all wormer.    Please note that these intestinal worming products do not include Heartworm.  There are products that do include Heartworm as well.  There are combination products that will do heartworm, and intestinal worms examples of these are Milbemax and Interceptor Spectrum.   There are also combination products that not only do intestinal worms and heartworm they also do fleas and ticks!   These combination products are very effective.   Examples of these are Simparica Trio and Nexgard Spectra.   These combination products are given once a month.    
If you have are not able to give your dog a tablet then choosing a wormer that comes in a chew or a spot on may be a better option for you.  Worming tablets can be hard to hide in your dogs food as they can be very large and they tend to be quite bitter.   
  

What is the right dosage for worming your dog? 

All worming products go by weight so be sure you get the correct pack size for your dogs weight If your dog is a pup then the dosage until they get to 6 months is going to be different to when they are an adult so be sure to read the pack for the product that you are using.   Giving too much or too little can be ineffective or even harmful. 

 

How to Administer the dog Wormer: 

Oral medications: Many wormers come in the form of tablets or chewable treats. Tablets can be popped straight down the throat.  There are tools such as pill poppers to make this easier for you.   Chews can be given directly to your dog to eat.  Please note that some will not eat them and you are going to have to either break up and give them like you would a tablet or hide in food.   The chewable tablets such as Simparica trio are great as if your dog does not eat it readily it is really easy to give as a tablet straight down the throat.  

 

Topical treatments: Some wormers are applied directly to the skin, typically between the shoulder blades.  An example of this is Advocate and Simparica Trio.   Part the fur and apply the treatment directly to the skin to ensure proper absorption.  Topical treatments are great for dogs that are hard to medicate.  

 

How Often should you worm your dog?  
How often to worm your dog does depend on the type of wormer you use and also your dog's risk factors.  High risk factors include walking or taking to your dog to populated where there are many dogs. This can include dog parks, obedience clubs, walking tracks.   Other high risk factors can also be your dogs behaviours – eg if he likes hunting small animals in the garden.  Worms are also carried by foxes etc so those that are in country or rural areas the dogs are just as prone to worms.    The rule of thumb for adult dogs is that heartworm needs to be done monthly and intestinal worms at a minimum of every 3 months.   If using a combination product then you will automatically be worming monthly.    Puppies need to be done more often,  Generally pups are wormed every 2 weeks until 12 weeks of age, then every month until 6 months old.  
 
Things to do around the house to prevent worms 

Practice good hygiene by cleaning up your dog's feces promptly, as many parasites are spread through contaminated feces. 

Regularly clean and disinfect your dog's living environment, including bedding, toys, and outdoor areas. 

Prevent your dog from hunting or scavenging, as this can increase their risk of worm infestation. 

 

Remember that worming is just one aspect of parasite prevention, and it's important to maintain a comprehensive parasite control program tailored to your dog's needs and lifestyle. If you have any questions or concerns about worming your dog, don't hesitate to reach out us and we can assist you to create a plan for your dog.   

 

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