Why should I worm my pet? (2024)

FAQs

Why should I worm my pet? ›

Deworming is essential to maintain your dog's health. If left untreated, worms can cause various issues such as blood loss, lethargy, and difficulty in nutrient absorption. Therefore, regular deworming is crucial for your dog's overall well-being.

Just like vaccinations, deworming ensures that our furry companions lead a healthy, happy life, free from the discomfort and potential dangers of worm infestations. These parasites, often unseen, can not only affect the well-being of our dogs but can also pose health risks to humans, especially children.

What happens if you don't deworm a dog? While intestinal worms are typically not fatal, they can be a big nuisance. If left untreated, they can result in coat issues, lack of appetite, poor nutrient uptake, poor growth, intestinal upsets, organ damage, loss of consciousness, and even death.

It's low-maintenance. The worms do most of the work! Worms make cool pets. Worms are quiet, low-maintenance pets that don't need to be walked, groomed or boarded when you go out of town 😊.

Currently, we recommend monthly deworming for all dogs in the summer months. If we have milder winters or if you have very young children, we may recommend deworming monthly all year round. There are several other types of parasitic worms as well (hookworms, whipworms).

Deworming is a way to get rid of intestinal worms or parasitic worms by the use of an anthelmintic medication. Not everyone needs to deworm. Parasitic worms are usually found in contaminated food and water in poor communities or areas where cleaning does not occur regularly.

Puppies should be wormed every two weeks until twelve weeks of age, then monthly until six months of age. Once they have reached six months of age, a puppy can transfer onto an 'adult' worming schedule. All adult dogs need to be wormed every three months for effective protection.

Dogs will come into contact with worms during their lifetime, but regular worming can prevent any infection from taking hold. Adult dogs need a dewormer roughly every three months though, your vet may advise you to give it more or less frequently depending on their lifestyle and activities.

Lack of appetite, tiredness, anaemia, fever, itchy bottom, loose bowels, abdominal pain and vomiting are some of the common symptoms of worm infestation.

Worms need food!

They will eat some of their bedding, but they really love scraps of fruit and vegetables. Worms will eat the parts you won't, like cores and peels. Don't feed them too much or too often at first. A yogurt container full of scraps once a week will be enough.

Do worms have a purpose in life? ›

They provide a food source for other important species

As important as they are alive, worms are also very important in the food chain. They provide an important protein-rich source of food for other species like birds, hedgehogs and frogs.

Worms have been shown to be a good source of protein, certain fats, and micronutrients like iron and zinc. Beetle larvae in particular are loaded with riboflavin. Although edible worms are largely safe to eat, more rigorous research will likely be needed before you start seeing worm protein on U.S. supermarket shelves.

Immunity boosting treats like Dental Hygiene and other training treats can make up for the much needed balanced diet that your dog may require. Other natural dewormers for dogs include using herbal remedies such as cloves or wormwood, or raw pumpkin seeds, certain vegetables and fruits, garlic and apple cider vinegar.

Do I need to treat my house if my dog has worms? Disinfecting bedding and food bowls can help prevent further spread of worms while a dog is being treated. A dog may have fleas if diagnosed with a tapeworm infection. If your dog has fleas, your house will also be infested with fleas and may need flea treatment.

While it might seem logical to administer dewormer as a preventive measure, don't do anything major before consulting your veterinarian. Giving your dog unnecessary medication can have adverse effects and may not provide any additional benefits.

Deworming is an important preventative care regime for reducing parasites (internal and external) and improving your pet's health. It is also important to help to prevent transmission of parasites to you and your human family members!

Lack of appetite, tiredness, anaemia, fever, itchy bottom, loose bowels, abdominal pain and vomiting are some of the common symptoms of worm infestation.