Natural Worm Remedies in Dogs

Roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms are the most common type of wiggly parasite your dog can encounter; there is heartworm as well, a potentially serious condition caused by being bitten by an infected mosquito. Intestinal worms may be visible in your dog’s stool, appearing as squiggly spaghetti-like forms or rice-like bodies. If your dog is infested with worms chronically, they may begin to lose weight and their hair coat may suffer. Additional symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and an itchy rectum, which may cause your dog to bum scoot or lick their hind end. 

Unfortunately, worms are relatively common in dogs. A dog with worms isn’t dirty or uncared for, and having a dog that has contracted these nasty pests doesn’t mean that you are a bad pet parent. What it does mean is that it is most likely that your dog picked up the infection at the dog park, while on a walk through the forest, or even through the simple act of eating infected soil.

Determining what type of worm your dog has can be achieved by taking a fresh stool sample to your veterinarian for analysis. Your veterinarian can prescribe medication to safely eradicate the worms. Doing so is a necessary step because leaving the worm infestation untreated can be detrimental to your furry buddy's health. 

Once your vet has treated your dog with conventional therapy, you can take measures to help prevent another case of worms. These natural remedies may also be used concurrently with the prescribed medicine, but discuss the possibility of doing so to make sure there are no contraindications.

Taking steps to rid your dog of worms is an essential part of keeping your dog healthy. Asking your vet for guidance and following their prescribed care is recommended. The medication used, dosage, and follow-up will all depend on your pet's age and health condition. For example, discussing how to get rid of worms in puppies will be an entirely different conversation and procedure than treating an older dog with an underlying health disorder.  

The same goes for natural remedies for preventing worm infestation that focus on a healthy immune system and a balanced intestinal environment. Prevent infestations from taking hold and thriving by contributing to healthy bacteria in the gut. This limits the ability of worms to flourish in the intestine. 

A healthy diet to ensure good immune system functioning and natural intestinal flora includes:

• Avoiding antibiotics by keeping your pet as free from infections as possible
• Feeding a low carbohydrate and high protein diet without preservatives and chemical additives 
• Give probiotics, which maintain the gut ecosystem
• Always ensure plenty of clean water is available to your dog to discourage them from drinking contaminated water.

In addition, specific dietary supplements can help prevent or reduce worm populations. Discuss these options with your veterinarian to ensure correct dosage and appropriateness for your dog’s condition.

Vegetables

• Vegetables such as grated carrots make your dog’s intestine less hospitable to worms. 
• Dogs cannot easily digest carrots and because of this, the undigested form of the carrot travels through the intestines, potentially bringing some worms along with them.

Pumpkin Seeds

• Pumpkin seeds can be ground up in a coffee grinder and then added to your dog's food.
• Studies show that the cucurbitacin compound in the seeds affects the motility of the worms, aiding in the removal of them from the intestines.

Papaya Seeds

• Grind the papaya seeds as you do the pumpkin, and add to your canine companion's food.
• The papain in the seeds is shown in studies to have deworming properties.

Apple Cider Vinegar

• Enzymes in apple cider vinegar are thought to have a beneficial effect against worms as the coating of the worm becomes weak and they then lose their grip on the intestinal wall.
• Spray the vinegar directly on the food; if your pup does not like the smell or taste, mix it in a bowl of wet food.

Slippery Elm Supplement

• Slippery elm acts as a laxative that will help remove worms from your dog’s system.
• It must be administered after mixing with water and then added to your dog's meal. 

Wheat Germ Oil

• Not only does wheat germ oil discourage tapeworms in particular from residing in the intestinal system, it also provides nutrients like fatty acids and Vitamins A, D and E.
• Add directly to your dog's food at mealtime for a tasty treat they'll enjoy.

It is recommended that the veterinarian prescribe an approved medication for your dog when worms are discovered. After the worms are eradicated and your vet has done a stool sample to verify that your dog is worm-free, keep them that way by using natural remedies that will render the gut and intestines as unfavorable to worms. By disrupting the environment in which they like to live, you will be protecting your dog against invasion. Of course, at your pet's annual veterinarian checkup, a stool sample will be analyzed to ensure there are no worms present, quietly and secretly residing within your dog's digestive system.

While being treated for worms by the vet, your dog may be tired and feeling a little under the weather. They may have a poor appetite and could vomit. If their symptoms concern you, contact the clinic. Once the worms are gone and you are using natural remedies, you should see an improvement in your dog's coat (from dull to shiny), their energy level will improve and their digestive system should be functioning normally.

Traditional worm medications can be expensive but are worth the cost as the quick removal of worms prevents extra veterinarian bills down the road, which may occur if worms are left to proliferate. Using natural remedies as a supplemental way to provide nutrients and keep your dog's digestive system healthy is also worth it. Pricing will depend on your dog's size, age, and health condition and may range between $50 and $200.

Worm infestations that grow out of control can have a detrimental effect on your dog's health and can be difficult to eradicate when they become well established. Deworming a dog with a large infestation can result in a major worm “die off” that can cause illness in your dog and should be monitored by your vet. Because worm infestations can be transmitted to humans, take precautions to prevent transmission to yourself, family members, and other pets in the household.

 There are additional measures to take that can work in the fight against a worm infestation. Around the home, remove standing water so that your dog is not tempted to drink from it. Not having stagnant water in the yard will also help against mosquitos. Cover your child's sandbox when not in use (this is important for your child's health, too). Pick up your dog's feces from the backyard immediately after they go to the bathroom, and keep them away from wildlife and wildlife feces. Monitor them when at the dog park to make sure they are not getting into things they shouldn't such as vomit or dead rodents. Monitoring your dog for signs of contamination and treating them early before worm populations overwhelm their system will result in better success than if worm populations are allowed to grow out of control.