Your furry friend is a naturally curious animal. Dogs explore the world with their mouths and noses, trying to get a whiff of the nook and cranny. Unfortunately, it also makes them vulnerable to intestinal worms. These worms can cause severe health issues for your pet. If you suspect that your dog has worms, it is essential to deal with it immediately.

There are various ways to treat worms in canines, medication being the most common one. Moreover, some effective natural remedies may resolve this problem.

Symptoms of Dog Worms

It is essential to be on a lookout for symptoms that indicate your pet has worms because, by the time your dog shows the signs, the problem has already progressed. Here are some of the common symptoms of dog worms:

• Visible presence of worms in dog’s stool

• Dragging or rubbing the hindquarters against the ground

• Hair loss or dulling of coat, along with skin inflammation or irritation

• Chronic coughing

• Diarrhea

• Vomiting

• Lethargy

• ‘Pot-bellied’ appearance or distended abdomen

• Weight loss, with a decrease or increase in appetite

These symptoms might also indicate some other illness, which is why it is best to contact a vet to get the right diagnosis.

Medication to Deworm a Canine

You can deworm a dog using a shot or oral medication. It is recommended you take the dog to your vet for the shot or a prescription to medicines. Generally, most of the medications are known as broad-spectrum, meaning they treat multiple parasites, including worms. Droncit tablets are easy for oral administration due to their size. You can crumble them and mix them with your dog’s food.

Natural Ways to Deworm Your Dog

Here are some natural ways to treat worm in your dog:

Pumpkin Seeds

These work as an effective deworming agent as they contain cucurbitacin, an amino acid. It paralyzes the worms, which makes it easier to eliminate them from the intestine. You can feed the pumpkin seeds as a treat or grind them to mix them in your dog’s food. One teaspoon per 10 lbs is sufficient enough.

Carrots

Carrots are loaded with vitamin C and can help in getting rid of worms from your dog. Coarsely chopped carrots can scrape the walls of the gut and stomach when ingested, which removes the parasites and mucus. You can easily feed your dog carrots as a treat or with their meal. Carrots are safe, a great nutrients source, and also boost the immune system.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has numerous health benefits and is known to be effective in treating worms in dogs. Unlike other vinegar, apple cider vinegar increases the alkaline levels in the intestines of the dog. As a result, it creates an inhospitable environment for worms and other parasites. You can add ¼ to 1 tsp of apple cider vinegar in your dog’s water daily. You will soon notice the coat condition improving, along with other benefits.

Understanding the Deworming Process

Deworming products act differently and might generate a different reaction in your dog. You might notice worms in the dog’s dropping or your dog vomiting right after consuming the deworming medication. However, there is no need to get concerned, as this process is normal. Some medication paralyzes the worms inside to be pushed out with stool; others break up the worms so that you are unlikely to see them in the feces. However, if there is a large number of worms in your furry friend, then you are more likely to see whole worms in the stool.

Tablets might be challenging for puppies to swallow, which is why Droncit is effective due to its smaller size. You should make sure to crush it and mix it with their food for easier ingestion. Again, if there are a high number of worms in the puppy, they might vomit right after consuming the worming treatment.

In case of any concerns or doubts, always consult a vet immediately.

Prevention Tips

The best treatment is prevention. It would be best to control the pests that might carry worms, including mosquitoes and fleas. Make sure to keep your yard and house clean. Doing this will benefit you and your family as well, as certain kinds of worms may infect humans as well.

Here are some prevention tips you can follow to keep worms at bay:

• Take your furry friend to the vet for regular checkups. For adult dogs, once a year is sufficient, but for puppies, it is best to go to the vet three to four times.

• Make sure your dog is free from fleas by taking preventive measures, like medication for the dog’s skin or flea collars.

• You can also get a prescription for heartworms medication from your vet to give to your dog every month. Avoid skipping a dose. You can also ask your vet to give your dog an injection, if possible, as prevention.

• Always follow the four Ps – Pick up (and dispose of) Pet Poop Promptly. Ensure your yard is clear at all times and always scoop up after your dog wherever you go.

• Make sure to wash your hands after you pet animals, and particularly after clearing off their waste.

• Avoid letting your dog kiss or lick you or your kids to prevent from catching worms. Make sure your pet sleep on their bed, instead of yours.

Whenever you doubt whether your dog has worms or how to deworm your dog, it is best to get a professional opinion. Take your vet’s advice on how to treat and prevent worms in your dog. If your dog isn’t feeling well even after taking deworming medication or natural remedy, take them to the vet immediately to ensure your dog regains their health.