Opening up a can of worms . . .
Unfortunately, dogs, just like humans’, contract worms and other revolting parasites from the environment, which can have numerous health implications, both to your pet and to their fellow housemates.
If these worms are allowed to grow unchecked, they will adversely affect the life of your dog and can lead to malnutrition and other health-related problems. It is, therefore, crucial to get rid of these parasites by administering dewormers as part of your dog’s health routine.
Taking preventative measures
Most pet parents will buy dewormers only after they receive a prescription from the vet, or when they have a new puppy in the house. This should not always be the case. Deworming your pooch should be done regularly in order to keep them healthy at all times.
Even if the dog does not display any symptoms of worm infestation, most authorities recommend that you should at deworm your dog at least every six months.
Importance of treating a parasite infestation
Once in a while, life-threatening illnesses can result in a dog plagued by worms. The two most common examples are roundworms in puppies whose immature immune system allows the worms to reproduce in the intestines to such as extent that they can cause a devastating infestation; and some cases of lungworm.
Lungworms can cause coughing and difficulty in breathing, and also prevent the blood from clotting. This can result in unexpected bleeding, and in extreme cases, a dog can die from a sudden brain hemorrhage.
Symptoms of a worm problem in dogs
There are numerous health implications if your dog should have a worm infestation, so knowing the signs of a worm problem is more important than ever. Symptoms include:
- a ravenous appetite
- weight loss
- gastrointestinal upsets (such as vomiting or diarrhea)
- a pot-bellied appearance
- and a dry or scurfy coat.
Can dog worms be passed on to humans?
The common dog roundworm (Toxocara Canis), can be passed on to humans. A healthy adult human’s immune system can usually effectively deal with the challenge; children are another story.
If a young child should ingest worm eggs, the larva can move through the tissues. Should a larva end up in the brain or eye, serious complications, such as seizures or blindness can follow.
Popular dog deworming products examined
There are very many different products on the market that promise to work wonders for your dog, but not all are as good as the packaging claims; and many of them may not work at all!
We’ve taken the stress out of choosing the correct product and reviewed the five best dewormers on the market to save you the precious time.
Safe-Guard | Canine Dewormer Excel 8-in-1
Rated as the best overall dewormer, this product contains Fenbendazole as the active ingredient and it is the most effective anthelminthic – according to most veterinarians. It may rid the body of tapeworms, hookworms, whipworms, and roundworms.
It contains granules that are easy to mix with the dog’s food making it very easy to administer. This dewormer is safe for most puppies over six weeks of age, pregnant females, and dogs that have a heartworm infection. It provides protection for at least six months.
Pros
- Helps with common worm infections
- Available in different dosages according to the size of your dog
- Easy to administer
- Safe for most puppies and pregnant dogs
- Affordable
Cons
- May cause mild vomiting as a side effect
Customers feedback
This product received excellent reviews from most customers that used it, and they claimed it worked wonders for their dogs. With a rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars, this can be a good product for deworming your precious pooch at home.
Bayer | Tapeworm Dewormer
An effective product for dealing with common tapeworms, hookworms, whipworms, and roundworms that infect dogs.
Presented as a chewable tablet that ensures easy administration, and has a delicious flavor which most dogs love. It is available in many dosage sizes for different sized dogs, and each package contains four tablets that should have you covered for a long time.
Note: This product is ideal for dogs over four weeks of age.
Pros
- Effective for tapeworms
- Reasonably priced
- Delicious flavor
- Easy to administer
Cons
- May bring about a temporary loss of appetite.
Customers feedback
This product has many positive reviews and a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. The customers that used it were pleased with the results as it was able to help protect their dogs from common infestations such as tapeworms as well as other types of worms.
Related: Maintain excellent ear health in your dog with a good dog ear cleaner.
Durvet | Triple Medium & Large Dog Wormer
This dewormer is one of the most trusted in treating many different infections such as roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms and is the best overall product for large and medium-sized dogs.
It is recommended to give the total dose to your dog in order for it to work effectively, and if you give only one treatment, then you could be forced to repeat the process after only a few months as it may not be adequate enough to protect your precious puppy.
Note: Consult with your vet first, every situation is unique. Dosage instructions must be followed to the letter
Pros
- Chewable
- Easy to administer
- Has a delicious flavor
- Tablet form makes it easy to follow instructions
Cons
- Only for medium and large dogs
Customers feedback
Feedback regarding this dewormer was mostly positive, and the rating given by the customers was a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars, with most users praising it and saying that it was extremely effective in eradicating the common worms that kept afflicting their dogs.
Sentry HC | Worm X Plus for Small Dogs
This product is especially useful when used on smaller pooches weighing between 6 lbs. to 25 lbs and protects against hookworms, tapeworms, and roundworms.
You can buy it over the counter and without a prescription and is recommended for dogs that are 12 weeks and above in age.
Pros
- Protects against tapeworms
- Does not require a prescription
- Ideal for small dogs
Cons
- Can only be used on small sized dogs
Customers feedback
Most customers gave this product a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars, and they were delighted after using it on their dogs. It was able to help protect their pets against various diseases that are caused by tapeworms, hookworms, and even roundworms. Most uses confidently recommended this product to other dog owners.
Bayer | Quad Chewable Dewormer
This is a chewable dewormer that helps with common parasites such as roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, and whip-worms.
Being chewable means that they are easy to administer to the dog, and ensures that the right dosage is given. Plus, you can watch the dog eat the tablet and be confident that the medicine is ingested. It is ideal for large dogs that are over 45 lbs. in weight.
Pros
- Does not require a prescription
- Reasonably priced
- Chewable
Cons
- Does not treat all worm infections
Customers feedback
The rating for this product is 4.4 out of 5 stars and customers were happy with the results after administering the dosage to their pets. They claimed that it was able to help deworm their pets and eliminate common parasites such as tapeworms. It comes highly recommended.
Final take on deworming your dog
If you are a parent, then you understand what deworming means, and why it is essential to deworm your children every three months. Puppies are no exception, and you must do the same for them too. Maybe a good way to always ensure you remember to do it would be to deworm both your children and puppies at the same time.
Keep your dog safe and healthy at all times by ensuring you deworm them at least every six months. Take care and we wish you many more happy years with your best friend!