Natural Dewormer for Dogs: 7 Home Remedies to Try

Roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, and whipworms—oh, yuck! Intestinal worms are more than a gross nuisance, as they can make your dog sick and infect other pets and humans. If your dog has worms, you’ll need to treat them quickly to avoid these unpleasant consequences.

Fortunately, intestinal worms can be easily treated with natural and traditional dewormers. In this article, we’ll review the most common worm types, how to recognize a worm infestation in your dog, and natural and traditional veterinary treatment options for clearing your pup’s infection.

4 Intestinal Worms That Commonly Infect Dogs

One of the primary reasons your vet checks your dog’s stool sample every year is to ensure they do not have worms or other intestinal parasites. The four worm types listed below are the most common worms and worm eggs found in dog stool. While adult roundworms and tapeworms can be seen with the naked eye, a microscopic evaluation (i.e., fecal flotation) allows the veterinary team to screen your pup’s sample for worm eggs. This can help identify a hidden infection (i.e., a phase in which the adult worms aren’t actively shed in the stool).

• Roundworms
  Roundworm larvae are often passed from mother to puppies, either in utero or after birth through the mother’s milk. Roundworm eggs are microscopic, while adult roundworms are usually white or light brown and may be several inches long. If your pet is infected, adult worms may be visible in the stool or even vomit. Although these worms are most common in puppies, adult dogs can be infected if the worms are in their environment.
• Tapeworms
  Dogs can experience a tapeworm infection after swallowing an infected flea. Tapeworms are segmented worms with a small head at one end and small repeating segments that resemble flattened rice grains. In a dog’s intestine, a tapeworm can grow up to 4 to 6 inches and contain over 90 segments! Segments contain tapeworm eggs and are shed in the dog’s stool. Fresh segments may be mobile but will dry out and die rapidly once outside of the dog. If you find tapeworm segments on your dog (e.g., in the hair near the tail base) or in the stool or surrounding environment, dispose of them and immediately treat your dog.

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• Hookworms
  These thin worms bite and feed on your pet’s intestinal lining. Like roundworms, hookworms can be transmitted to puppies from their mother. Because hookworms feed on blood, prolonged infection in small puppies can cause dangerous anemia (i.e., low red blood cells) and death. Adult dogs can also get hookworms from their environment if they ingest contaminated feces. Hookworms cannot be seen with the naked eye and must be diagnosed by your veterinarian.
• Whipworms
  These thread-like worms reside in a dog’s cecum, the first part of the large intestine. Whipworm infections are the most difficult to diagnose because they shed fewer eggs than other worm types. If your dog is experiencing chronic weight loss or frequent mucus-coated stools, your veterinarian may recommend whipworm treatment. 

How to Recognize Worm Infestation in Dogs

The easiest way to identify an intestinal worm infestation in dogs is by appreciating visible worms or worm segments in the dog’s vomit or stool. However, because many worms cannot be seen with the naked eye, you’ll need to rely on your dog’s outward signs and regular stool checks at your veterinarian’s office to confirm the diagnosis. Common worm infection signs include: 

• Diarrhea, which may include blood
• Weight loss
• Poor appearance 
• Dry or dull coat
• Vomiting
• Pot-bellied appearance
• Scooting or licking their rear end

If you notice these signs, contact your veterinarian to schedule a physical examination. And, don’t forget to bring a fresh stool sample to your pup’s appointment for microscopic analysis.

Natural Dewormer Options for Dogs

If you want to avoid traditional over-the-counter and prescription deworming medications, a natural dewormer for dogs may be the right choice. However, if your dog is a small puppy, experiencing a heavy worm burden, or showing visible illness signs such as those listed above, we recommend following your veterinarian’s recommendations. For otherwise healthy adult dogs, natural dewormers may be an appropriate solution. Here are seven easy-to-find foods and pantry items you might want to try to eliminate worms in your dog:

Apple cider vinegar (ACV)

ACV can alter your dog’s intestinal pH, making it an inhospitable environment for worms. Try adding this fermented vinegar to your pet’s water. Because dosing is weight-based, consult your veterinarian for the appropriate amount. In addition to killing worms, apple cider vinegar may have other health benefits for your dog, including a shiny coat.

Chopped carrots

Coarsely chopped carrots may help clear worm infections by scraping the intestinal lining during digestion and eliminating them through the stool. If fed regularly, chopped carrots may also help prevent future worm infections.

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Dried Coconut

Dried coconut can help eliminate worms from your dog’s digestive tract. Sprinkle unsweetened dried coconut over your pet’s food. Serving guidelines recommend one teaspoon for small dogs, two teaspoons for medium dogs and one tablespoon for large breeds. Coconut oil may also be an effective treatment and also contains numerous other health benefits. 

Pumpkin Seeds

The small but mighty pumpkin seed contains cucurbitin, a powerful amino acid that paralyzes intestinal worms and forces feeding worms to detach from the intestinal lining. Pumpkin seeds should be fed raw and plain (i.e., unsalted and unseasoned), and may be given whole or ground into a powder. Most sources recommend feeding ¼ teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight daily.

Turmeric

Turmeric is considered a superfood because of its anti-inflammatory properties. It also contains compounds that can help not only get rid of the worms, but also repair any intestinal damage and irritation caused by feeding or movement. Together, these benefits result in better gut health for your pup.

Chamomile

Chamomile may be an effective herbal treatment against roundworms and whipworms. This traditional tea ingredient works best when given as a tincture, so consult your dog’s veterinarian for an appropriate dose.

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Kefir

This fermented beverage can help your pet get rid of worms. Choose the coconut or goat’s milk variety over dairy milk kefir as it will be easier for your pet to digest. Introduce kefir slowly and in small doses to ensure your pup can tolerate the beverage. For small dogs, try one teaspoon to one tablespoon per day. Medium dogs can receive one to two tablespoons per day, and large dogs can have two to three tablespoons per day. Kefir can be poured over your dog’s regular food or served on its own.

How Long Does It Take to Eliminate Worms Using Natural Dewormers for Dogs?

Like many natural remedies, reliable data on how long to treat your pup with a natural dewormer for dogs is not available. Fortunately, the foods listed above are relatively safe when administered in the recommended quantities. Because treatment duration may depend on your dog’s worm type, lifestage, infection severity, and choice of natural dewormer, we recommend working closely with your pup’s regular veterinarian to ensure safe and effective treatment. If you do not have access to a holistic veterinarian, many offer virtual consultations online.

Always follow up your dog’s treatment with a recheck fecal flotation at your pup’s veterinarian two to three weeks after completing treatment to ensure the microscopic infection is cleared.

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Medical treatment for worms

If your dog’s worm infection is severe, causing visible illness signs, or returns after treatment with a natural dewormer, a stronger medical intervention may be necessary to eliminate the parasitic infection. Work with your dog’s veterinarian to determine the most appropriate and effective treatment plan. If a prescription dewormer is necessary, your pup’s treatment plan may include:

• Pyrantel Pamoate
  This is the active ingredient in Drontal® Plus, PRO-Wormer 2®, and Nemex®-2. Side effects include vomiting, lethargy, and anorexia. 
• Fenbendazole
  This is the active ingredient in common deworming medications, including Panacur®, Drontal Plus ® and Safe-Guard®. This medication can cause side effects including vomiting, lethargy, anorexia, facial swelling and anaphylaxis.
• Praziquantel
  This is the active ingredient in Droncit® and Drontal® Plus. Reported side effects include vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea, and anorexia. 
• Combination drugs
  Some drug manufacturers combine de-worming ingredients with heartworm preventives for consistent and convenient protection against heartworm disease and intestinal worms. Such products include Panacur® Plus, Heartgard® Plus, Tri-Heart® Plus, and Iverhart Max®. Discuss the risks and benefits of using these combination drugs with your veterinarian.

As with natural dewormers for dogs, you’ll need to follow up with your pup’s veterinarian two to three weeks after completing treatment to ensure they’re worm-free.

How to Prevent Intestinal Worms in Dogs

An ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure—especially when it comes to gross intestinal worms. Fortunately, it’s also relatively easy and intuitive. Here are some simple daily practices that can minimize your pup’s risk for intestinal worms and other internal parasites.

• Pick up and dispose of your dog’s poop
• Protect your pup from fleas 
• Practice strict hygiene protocols (e.g., handwashing) after interacting with your dog or other pets or handling pet waste or supplies 
• Keep your dog away from dead wildlife, standing water, and animal waste as these may be contaminated with infective eggs
• Periodically incorporate natural dewormers for dogs (e.g., chopped carrots, ground pumpkin seeds, ACV) into your pup’s diet 
• Stay up-to-date with your dog’s annual veterinary care including physical examinations and fecal testing to identify hidden infections

Finally, help your dog fight off parasitic invaders naturally by boosting their immune system with food. Feeding a fresh food diet such as Ollie promotes a robust immune response by fueling your pup with powerful antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. If your dog does encounter or ingest infective eggs, their body is more likely to clear the parasite before it can mature, replicate, and affect your dog’s health or put others at risk. 

The Ollie blog is devoted to helping pet parents lead healthier lives with their pups. If you want to learn more about our fresh, human-grade food, check out MyOllie.com.