How to Treat Dog Worms at Home

There are several types of intestinal parasites in dogs, commonly known as worms or intestinal worms. The most frequently encountered in our furry companions are the Dipylidum caninum (also known as tapeworm), the Toxocara canis and the Toxocara vulpis, the Ancylostoma caninum and the Echinococcus granulosus. Usually dogs that are the most prone to them are puppies and those who live next to fields or in the countryside. However, even adult dogs or those living in a city can get infected with these unwanted guests.

To know if your dog has worms, you should notice a series of symptoms and behaviors:

• Worms, eggs, larvae or pieces in their feces
• Prominent abdomen and swollen all the time
• Significant weight loss
• Vomiting and diarrea
• Pain in the abdominal area when touching them
• Blood in the stool
• Fever
• Brittle hair / reduced hair quality
• Itching in the anal area and, therefore, trying to constantly bite and drag their butt on the floor

If you observe any of these symptoms in your dog, in addition to offering some treatment or home remedy, you must take them to the vet for a review. They will check how the parasites have affected the health of your dog and ensure whether or not there is a dangerous underlying issue.

There are many natural remedies that we can use at home to help our dog prevent and eliminate the parasites of their digestive system. Pay attention to the following home remedies for dog worms and you will see how they will disappear fast:

Garlic

Garlic is a natural ingredient with great antibiotic and antiparasitic powers. However, in great quantities it is toxic for dogs as it can cause them serious anemia. Therefore, you must be careful with the dose that you administer when you use garlic to deworm dogs. To avoid harming your dog with garlic but helping to eliminate worms, you should use a single clove of garlic and add it crushed to their meals.

Oregon grape

Grape is a forbidden fruit for dogs but, again as in the case of garlic, it depends on the doses we give our dog. Therefore, it is advisable to only give 12 drops at most for every 9 kg of weight of Oregon grape. You can easily find it in herbalists or health food stores. It is important to note that this home remedy should be avoided in dogs with liver problems and in female dogs during gestation.

Pumpkin seeds

These raw seeds are a very effective natural anthelmintic. You should grind raw pumpkin seeds and add a small spoonful for every 5 kg of your dog's weight into their meals. If they weigh less you should add less than a small spoonful. With regard to giving pumpkin seeds to your dog you should not worry, since they are fantastic for the quality of your dog's hair.

Areca palm kernel or betel

The seeds of this plant, as well as being a strong antiparasitic, will help to ease your dog's symptoms of the stomach such as vomiting and diarrhea. To be effective you must give them 2 grams of seeds in their meals, 3 times a day for one week. It is better to space them between 3 meals and not all at once in a single meal as this ensures they are as effective as possible.

Sweet wormwood or sagebrush

Sagebrush or sweet wormwood is a plant that works very well to eradicate all types of intestinal worms in dogs, but can be very irritating to their body. So, it is preferable to administer it according to your vet's suggestions. However, the dose usually given, depending on whether the dog is smaller or larger, is between 10 and 15 drops of the extract 3 times a day, i.e. every 8 hours.

Pineapple

Pineapple contains enzymes that fight intestinal worms quickly and definitively. It is good to give a little pineapple to your dog when you want to eliminate a worm infestation but, as in most cases, try not to give too much as it can cause other health problems. A few pieces of pineapple a day will be more than enough or you can add the juice of this fruit in their meals.

Gentian

The gentian or Gentiana lutea, also known as the St. Ladislao herb, has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties which are fantastic to strengthen a dog's digestive system and to purify their blood. So, it is a good option to internally deworm our pet. The part of the plant that is best used for this purpose is the root, which you can find in powder form in herbalists and health food stores. Boil water and add a tablespoon of gentian root powder (5 minutes of cooking will suffice). We should offer this drinkable infusion to our dog 2 times a day for 7 days.

Black walnut

Black walnut extract is very potent because of the tannins it contains. It is a very bitter and irritating substance, so not only eradicates the intestinal parasites of our dog effectively, but if given a high dose they can suffer diarrea, vomiting and gastritis. Therefore, it is advisable to use this option in severe cases of parasitic infestation and always under the supervision of a veterinarian.

All these treatments should be administered as long as necessary until no symptoms of worm infestation develop. But we must be careful and if we notice the slightest bit of discomfort in our dog, we must go to the vet immediately. You can combine some of these natural products and give them to your dog at mealtimes for greater effect, but you should try not to overdo it.

These natural remedies serve to rid our furry companion of internal parasite infestations. However, if we give these remedies once a month or every two months, we will help in the prevention of worms. If we decide to use them in a preventive way, it is preferable that it be done in support of veterinary treatment indicated as antiparasitic.

Deworming dogs both internally and externally should start from puppies and the first time we give them the anthelmintic treatment will have to be in their first week of life. Of course, in the exact doses indicated by our trusted vet. After the first dose, it should be repeated every 2 weeks until the pup reaches 3 months of age. After that, for the rest of his/her life, he/she has to be treated every 3 months to ensure they are always free of worms and other parasites prior to vaccinations. This is so they are truly effective and that there are no other health problems arising from this condition.

Remember that you can always use these home remedies for dog worms to keep intestinal worms at bay or in support of veterinary treatment every 3 months.

This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.

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