Intestinal parasites can enter your dog’s body and spread the infection in various ways. That’s why it’s essential to keep them guarded if it enters their system by picking the best dog dewormers. As a dog parent, you know that continuous cough or deteriorating energy may signify that a worm has struck your furry pal’s immunity.
There are various types of infesting worms that can hinder your dog’s overall health. The most common kind of worms are roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, and whipworms. Fortunately, there are plenty of them, and you’ll find the best dewormers for dogs available in the market in this article.
10 Best Dog Dewormers
Parasites are common in a dog’s life. At some point, your furry companion will carry a worm inside its body. While in some cases, you may have never noticed it, that’s because their immune system keeps the parasite population low. For puppies, getting the best dog dewormers is a vital aspect that must be taken routinely as they usually carry worms from birth. Adult and mature pals, on the contrary, have a lower chance of carrying worms.
In choosing a dog dewormer, you must precisely know what kind of parasite your dog has. That’s why visiting a veterinarian for an examination is essential before buying a dewormer. You can either purchase a dewormer for a specific worm type or a broad-spectrum wherein it kills various kinds of worms. It can come in several forms like tablets, liquids, granules, or powders. To know what your dog needs, it is best to have your veterinarian’s advice. And here are some of the best dewormers you can use for your fur baby.
Note – dewormers are generally considered as prescription drugs for pets and are therefore not widely available on your usual online marketplaces (e.g. Amazon). Chewy.com is a trusted online pet pharmacy.
1. Sentry HC WormX Plus Tablets
Sentry HC WormX Plus is an all-around wormer for dogs. The types of worms it includes are tapeworms, roundworms, and hookworms with veterinary-grade ingredients.
It can either treat a pre-existing condition or prevent future infestations, specifically for dogs prone to catch it. This dewormer also doesn’t need a prescription when you try to purchase it. Moreover, it comes in a tasty and chewable tablet that’s hassle-free for a dog’s intake.
The protection of this medication could last up to 30 days. Ideally, it is advisable for use on puppies and small breed dogs who weigh between six to 25 pounds. For dogs that weigh from six to 12 lbs, only one tablet is prescribed, while two dog dewormer tablets for 12.1 to 25 lbs.
2. Safeguard Canine Dewormer
Safeguard canine dewormer is highly recommended to fight against four major types of parasites in dogs. If your canine companion tested positive for infection, your vet might prescribe this medication. Scientifically known as fenbendazole, a 2gm dose of this medicine will treat and control the parasites.
The medication usually spans for three consecutive days of repeating the same dose. The effect could last for up to six months. Another good thing is that it’s safe to use for dogs six weeks and older, including the pregnant ones. Each box has three 2gm pouches.
It also won’t take up time to prepare the medication. You merely have to mix the powder with your dog’s food, and you won’t have to worry for more. Just make sure that your tail-wagging pal will ingest the full dose.
3. PetArmor Sure Shot Liquid Wormer
PetArmor Sure Shot 2X Liquid Wormer for Puppies & Dogs provides a single treatment to remove huge roundworms and hookworms. It is a liquid wormer taken to prevent the recurrence of roundworms (Toxocara Canis infestation) in puppies and small dogs.
Additionally, this dewormer is available in a highly palatable formula, which can be given with ease to lessen your furry companion’s stress.
4. Bayer Tapeworm Dewormer
Since not a single loving owner would want to see their pet suffer from parasitic infestation, you’d automatically desire for the best dog dewormer. Bayer tapeworm dog dewormer carries an effective treatment without the need to go to the nearest vet.
It works to quickly end the unpleasant lingering problem for you and your furry companion. It removes the common tapeworms of Dipylidium Caninum and Taenia Pisiformis thoroughly and safely. This dog dewormer is an easy to utilize and dog-friendly tablet as you can sprinkle and mix it with their food. Vets recommend this medication to dogs of at least four weeks old.
One thing you must take note of is that there are isolated cases of side effects from taking this dewormer. Some reported either salivation and diarrhea, but neither proved a legitimate threat to a dog’s health. Seek for the advice of your veterinarian if you notice any of these signs.
5. Sentry HC WormX Liquid
This liquid wormer is a broad spectrum to combat hookworms’ infestation and large roundworms. Sentry HC WormX DS Liquid Wormer contains 2 oz of Canine Anthelmintic Suspension.
It is ideal for canines weighing up to 120 pounds. Hence, if you have a medium to large dog, this dewormer is the best one to use.
6. Trifexis Chewable Tablets
Unlike other medications, your dog must be proven positive with heartworm infection first to get a Trifexis chewable tablet. If you are contemplating getting your furry pal checked, now is the best time.
This chewy tablet is a beef-flavored medication and prevents flea infestations and heartworm disease. It also helps control matured hookworm, roundworm, and whipworm infections. It can kill fleas and also helpful in controlling both heartworm and intestinal parasites.
Dogs and puppies eight weeks old or up, and at least more massive than five pounds can take this medication. Typically, worms are controllable at any given time, considering the routine of worming treatment is performed right.
7. Triheart Plus Chewable Tablets
Similar to Trifexis chewable tablets, consuming Tri-Heart Plus must also be prescribed by your veterinarian. This medication is an easy-to-feed chewable tablet made to keep your four-legged friend heartworm and parasitic-free. Generally, taking the drug should only occur once a month. This palatable tablet aims to protect your furry pal by preventing the larvae from reaching your dog’s heart.
One of the best features of this medication is that it is a tasty tablet, and your dog could eat it like a treat. Another thing is that cases of side effects in using Trifexis are rare. Incidents like distress, skin irritation, vomiting, diarrhea, and lack of appetite are typical cases, but none imposed a legitimate health threat.
Puppies under 14 weeks of age are the ones likely to experience vomiting. Meanwhile, dogs allergic to Trifexis or drying parasites may show facial swelling, scratching, hives, and cold limbs. If ever any of these happen to your canine companion, seek immediate treatment from your veterinarian.
8. Heartgard Plus Chewables
Heartgard Plus is chewable that helps prevent and kills heartworm and is also useful to treat and control hookworms. It is monthly consumed and comes in chewable tablets, which you can give your furry pal as a beef-flavored meal.
Once treated, you can confidently walk your dog to your backyard or in a park again while being protected. This medication could prevent canine heartworm disease by conquering the heartworm larvae’s (Dirofilaria Immitis) tissue stage for a month. It is also used to control the ascarids (Toxocara Canis, Toxascaris Leonina).
Likewise, it can control hookworms (Ancylostoma Caninum, Uncinaria stenocephala, Ancylostoma Braziliense). There’s no particular dewormer that a veterinarian will use against all parasites. What should be considered is to ensure the medication will take effect as it should be, accompanied by the right intake of dosage.
9. Interceptor Plus Chewable Tablets
If you’re looking for a broad-spectrum parasiticide, Interceptor Plus is one of the most trusted brands available in the market. This medicine helps prevent heartworm disease in your furry companion and must be prescribed by your vet.
Additionally, it can treat and control adult roundworm, adult hookworm, adult tapeworm, and adult whipworm. It is easy for your pet to deal with as they won’t even notice that you’re trying to protect them by feeding this tasty, chewable tablet. The medication is only exclusive for dogs and puppies of two pounds or greater and at least six weeks old.
It’s still vital to discuss which wormer to use by taking your vet’s guidance to ensure your dog is safe against possible side effects. Take note of the doses given so that further issues won’t exist.
10. Sentinel Flavor Tablets
Sentinel flavor tablet is a monthly oral preventive prescription to safeguard your dog from different worm types. It includes protection against heartworms, adult hookworms, roundworms, whipworms, and flea eggs. It comes in a tasty, flavor tablet that protects your canine companion from infectious intestinal worms and heartworm diseases.
This flavor tab is for dogs and puppies at least four weeks old, and weighs two pounds or greater. It has an element that can prevent and control fleas from duplicating. You will need the use of adulticide products to deal with the control of adult worm infestations.
The possible side effects of using this medication are vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea, anorexia, congestion, convulsions, and weakness. These body reactions are due to the intake of Milbemycin Oxime or Lufenuron. No one has found any legitimate health threat in correlation with these adverse effects.
What are Dog Dewormers Used For?
Dewormers are used to fight against parasites lurking inside your pup’s stomach. Tapeworms, hookworms, whipworms, and roundworms are just some of the common parasite types that could dampen your dog’s health. So you need to get used to and have some background to these disease-carrying worms before dealing with them.
Tapeworms
Tapeworms are flat, segmented intestinal parasites that exist in cats and dogs. While there is a wide range of tapeworm types, the most common tapeworm species found in dogs is Dipylidium Caninum. The tapeworm usually moves around the hairs near the anus. It produces individual segments called proglottids, which may contain as many as 20 tapeworm eggs.
Roundworms
Roundworms are common parasites that may strike inside a dog’s intestines. They can function by eating partly digested food that passes through the intestine. Its common symptoms include:
- Potbelly
- Diarrhea
- Weakness
- Weight loss
- Dull coat
Puppies also have a higher risk of infection by this worm.
Hookworms
Hookworms are intestinal parasites that commonly exist in cats and dogs. Its name comes from its hook-like mouthparts to create a grip in the intestinal wall’s lining. Hookworms are so tiny that humans cannot see them without using the microscope. It is only about two to three millimeters long.
It can cause inflammation to your dog’s intestine, leading to decreased red blood cells called anemia. While anemia may be more common in puppies, adult dogs are still prone to catch this disease.
Whipworms
Whipworms usually reside in the cecum, located between the small and large intestines of your dog. A dog may get this type of worm if they swallow infective whipworm eggs in the soil. An infected dog may not show any symptoms if only a few whipworms ingest. It can cause bloody diarrhea, and if not treated, it can lead to more issues and death.
How to Choose a Dog Dewormer?
It’s safe to say that relying on the doctor’s prescription is the most secure way to know what kind of dog dewormer to buy. But it’s still better if you also see the standard in choosing the most appropriate dewormer for your dog. Learning how to determine a worming medication’s quality will be the key to helping your dog to feel better.
Spectrum
There are many different kinds of worming medications, and choosing the best or right one will always be a challenge. While there is plenty of it in the market, you should know first what products can cover which parasites. By doing so, you ensure that your furry companion will be safe in taking either chewable or liquid medicine.
Another thing you should know is if the medication has a broad spectrum. It means doing your homework to get the information of the said prescription dewormer for puppies. Does it work only on a single type of worm, or can it treat different kinds?
You must also get to know if a particular deworming medicine is registered and given over-the-counter. If all worming medications are tested and effective, rest assured that it won’t do any harm to your pet. It’s also a good idea to ask for a vet’s advice as different ingredients in dewormers may have a positive or negative effect.
Type of Wormer
There are quite a few choices available when looking for deworming treatments for your dog. One of the most common is chewable dog dewormers and liquid dog dewormers. A typical key to your dog’s medicine is finding the right product for your dog’s intake. Once you can achieve that, you can handle and administer the medication with ease. Many chewable dog dewormers, mainly tablets, work quickly to disinfect the internals of your dog. But before purchasing such, it is still crucial to find which type of wormer your dog will prefer. Some dogs tend to spit the wormer out right after the intake, while some do it after several minutes.
On some occasions, dogs also vomit just after taking the dose of the tablet. And if ever this has happened, better seek your vet’s assessment on alternative ways to deworm. Take note that worming products may have different effects. In most cases, your dog’s energy may drop after the intake of dewormer. But don’t fret, that’s just completely normal. While looking at your dog’s odd appearance, it is a good thing. That means that the worm that used to live inside your pet is now out.
If you are the type of owner who worries about the side effects a dog dewormer may give, you’re not alone. Accepting that worms are something that you have to deal with as a dog owner is a crucial key. Luckily for you, if you don’t want to settle with such medication in the drugstore, you can find alternative and natural ways. There is plenty of natural dewormers for dogs as alternatives that help treat such nasty parasites living in your dog’s body.
Strength
It is very crucial to acknowledge that not every dewormer consists of similar concentration and chemical strength. Different companies usually offer different concentrations for different dog types. To further understand which is the best dewormer for puppies to take, getting the vet’s prescription dewormer for dogs is necessary.
Also, remember that severe medical problems may arise for the untreated parasites inside your dog. Discussing the various effects of different strengths of wormer dosage with your vet is a must.
Dog Dewormers – FAQs
Here are some questions that dog owners ask about different information on dog dewormers. After reading this, you’ll indeed have those questions lingering on your mind answered and have some clarifications.
There’s no particular dewormer that a veterinarian will use against all parasites. Ensure that the medication will take effect as it should be, accompanied by the right dosage intake. While plenty of anti-parasitic medications are safe, getting advice from your veterinarian is still crucial.
There is plenty of natural dewormer for dogs as alternatives that are proven to treat parasites. Among these are carrots, pumpkin seeds, coconut, apple cider vinegar, turmeric, and chamomile. While doing this, you should still consider paying regular visits to the vet for parasite testing.
This depends on your dog’s age. Deworming should be performed every two weeks until your pup’s twelve weeks of age. After that, you’ll shift to monthly deworming until they are six months old. Then every three months after passing the six months of age for protective measures.
Your dog likely carries a worm if they exhibit the following symptoms:
– Weight loss
– A change in appetite
– Diarrhea
– A rough, dry coat
– Vomiting
– Poor overall appearance
Having a regular check-up will indeed assess if there’s something to be treated for your four-legged friend and address the issue.
Despite not being a good idea to treat heartworm naturally, there are some practical ways to counter the heartworm.
– Avoid mosquito exposure
– Remove standing water around your home, which can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes
– Practice a healthy diet for your pet and boost their immune system against heartworms
Treating your furry companion using the best dog dewormers is a great way to ensure that your pet remains healthy. Always remember that paying a regular visit to your trusted veterinarian is a must to prevent further health complications from arising.