How to worm your dog

Why is it important to worm dogs?

As a dog owner, you’ll be aware of the different responsibilities that come along with looking after your pet. One of the most important things you can do is look after their health and wellbeing, and regular worming is critical to help with this. Worming a dog treats worms that are present in your pet’s body, preventing them from causing further serious damage.

There are a multitude of different worms that can affect dogs, including tapeworms, roundworms, lungworms (which we’ll cover specifically later), and hookworms.

The thought of our furry friends contracting worms isn’t a nice one, but there are easy and effective treatments we can administer regularly to stop the presence of worms developing into something more complicated or serious.

Regular worming will give you piece of mind that, even when your dog is roaming around and being their usual curious self, your furry friend will be safe from worms.

Signs your dog might have worms

There are multiple telltale signs that your dog might have worms. Some of the potential symptoms are as follows, but dogs with worms may often only display these signs if they have a significant number of worms in their bodies.

• Worms visibly present in vomit, faeces, or on a dog’s bottom

• Vomiting or diarrhoea

• Swollen stomach

• Weakness or weight loss

• Low mood

Worming treatments

There are multiple worming treatments available in the forms of tablet, chewable, and spot-on, but it’s important to mention that not every treatment will cover every type of worm infection.

If you observe some or all of the symptoms above and think your dog might have worms, the best thing to do is speak to your vet, who should be able to recommend the most suitable treatment for your dog and the type of worms they have contracted.

Do you need to worm puppies?

Yes, you absolutely need to worm puppies. They are especially vulnerable to worm infections, which can be passed from mother to puppy through their milk, and worm-related infections can be seriously threatening. Puppies can even contract worms before birth, so it’s particularly important to worm your puppy between the ages of two weeks and 12 weeks.

What happens if you don’t worm a dog?

If you don’t worm a dog, and worms are left unchecked in their body, dogs can suffer serious infections and even death, so this simple and fast process is incredibly important to your dog’s health and wellbeing.

We recommend setting a reminder on your phone or making a note in your calendar to remind you to worm your dog on a regular basis and to order worming medicine in advance or set up a repeat order, so you don’t run out. It can take mere minutes to administer worming treatments, but it’s so important for your furry friend.

Lungworm

Lungworm in particular is becoming more prevalent across the country, after initially only affecting pets in certain regions of the south of the UK.

Lungworm larvae can be present in infected slugs, snails, and frogs, which dogs sometimes consume. While symptoms can be slow in developing, they can eventually include:

• Low energy levels

• Weight loss

• Coughing and breathing problems

• Diarrhoea and vomiting

• Bruising and bleeding, including nosebleeds

If you observe any of these symptoms and think your dog might have lungworm (or indeed any type of worms) you should contact your vet for advice as soon as possible.

Phil’s advice

• Worm your dog regularly to keep them healthy and safe

• Speak to your vet to find a treatment that works for your dog

• Set reminders for worming to make sure you’re prepared

• Reward your dog with attention and treats after giving them their worming medicine