Reviewed By Joana Garrido DVM
Natural remedies for treating worms in dogs offer a gentle alternative to traditional deworming medications. These remedies work less aggressively, reducing the risk of side effects like diarrhea, lethargy, and vomiting that can accompany deworming.
By including natural remedies in your dog’s worming routine, you can adopt a healthier and more balanced approach to treatment.
1. Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds are one of the well-known home remedies for worms in dogs. In a study, the use of pumpkin seeds as a dewormer in dogs was examined. The best results were seen when dogs were given 30 grams of the pumpkin seeds dewormer, which reduced the worms by 76%. This is due to pumpkin seeds containing a special ingredient called cucurbitin, which weakens intestinal worms and makes it harder for them to survive in the dog’s intestines.
How to use this natural remedy for worms in dogs:
Whole pumpkin seeds have a tough outer shell. Feeding them to your dog may lead to choking or intestinal blockage. We recommend grinding plain dried pumpkin seeds into a fine powder before sprinkling them into his meals.
The ideal dosage of this natural dewormer for dogs is ¼ teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight. If your pooch weighs 30 pounds, he can have up to ¾ teaspoons of ground pumpkin seeds per day.
Consistently give it to him 1 to 2 times daily until he has expelled all intestinal parasites.
Potential side effects:
- Pumpkin seeds are fatty food. Overfeeding them to your dog is discouraged as it will cause gastrointestinal distress. If eaten frequently in extensive quantities, obesity may develop.
2. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has been shown to have anthelmintic properties, it can help eliminate parasites like worms. According to Dr. Bruce Fife in his book ‘Coconut Therapy for Pets,’ pets who consume coconut oil can expel their worms in just three days.
However, the benefits of coconut oil for dogs don’t stop there. If you want to learn more about the benefits of coconut oil for dogs, check out our article ‘Coconut for Dogs’ for a comprehensive guide.
How to use this natural remedy for worms in dogs:
To use coconut oil as a natural remedy for worms in dogs, opt for a cold-pressed, unrefined, and certified organic extra virgin coconut oil. It is chemical-free and has a better nutritional profile for your canine companion.
The recommended dosage of coconut oil for dogs is as follows:
- Small dogs: 1 teaspoon per day
- Medium dogs: 2 teaspoons per day
- Large dogs: 1 tablespoon per day
Potential side effects:
- Coconut oil has high-fat concentrations. Ingesting it in large quantities can result in diarrhea and stomach discomfort.
3. Turmeric
Turmeric, especially the curcumin compound in turmeric, has been used traditionally to treat worm infections in South and Southeast Asia. Some studies show that curcumin helps fight different parasites and may have a positive effect on worm infections in dogs, like Toxocara canis (Roundworm).
How to use this natural remedy for worms in dogs:
On its own, turmeric has low bioavailability, meaning this spice is not easily absorbed into your dog’s body. Combining 1 teaspoon of turmeric with a pinch of black pepper and 1 to 2 tablespoons of olive oil greatly increases its absorption rate.
The suitable amount of turmeric paste to treat worms in dogs depends on the dog’s body weight:
- 1- to 10-pound dogs: 1/16 to ⅛ teaspoon
- 10- to 20-pound dogs: ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon
- 20- to 50-pound dogs: ¼ to 1 teaspoon
- 50- to 100-pound dogs: 1 to 2 teaspoons
- Over 100-pound dogs: 2 teaspoons
Administer turmeric paste to small dogs daily for up to 1 week. For larger breeds, it should be given daily every other week for up to 2 months.
Potential side effects:
- Long-term intake of turmeric paste can lead to stomach ulcers, kidney stones, and gallbladder obstruction. It’s important to limit the use of this home remedy for worms in dogs to no more than 2 months.
- Canines with pre-existing health issues that we have mentioned above should not be given turmeric.
- This natural dog dewormer may cause blood sugar levels to fluctuate. Thus, avoid administering it to diabetic dogs.
- Turmeric has blood-thinning agents that can interact with certain types of drugs. Do not use it on medicated canines unless the vet approves.
4. Neem Leaves
In an animal study, researchers discovered that the neem plant was effective against the tested animal’s internal parasites. Neem leaves have natural antifungal and deworming properties that can slow down worm reproduction. Additionally, topical application can help repel common parasite carriers, such as fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes, from dogs.
How to use this natural remedy for worms in dogs:
Rinse dried neem leaves thoroughly and pat them dry with a towel. Use a coffee grinder or food processor to turn them into fine powder.
The recommended dosage of ground neem leaves for dogs is as follows:
- Miniature breeds: 150 milligrams
- Small breeds: 300 milligrams
- Medium breeds: 500 milligrams
- Large breeds: 800 milligrams
- Giant breeds: 1,000 milligrams
Neem leaves have a bitter taste, so mix them with your dog’s food to mask their off-putting flavor. Use this natural remedy for worms in dogs twice a day for up to a month, alternating each week.
Neem oil is shown to be effective for repelling fleas, ticks, and mange when used topically. Dilute 1 drop of neem essential oil with 10 drops of carrier oil of your choice. Since it has a strong smell, apply it on your dog’s collar than on his body, so you do not need to wash it off his coat.
Potential side effects:
- Long-term use of neem potentially damages the liver and kidneys of dogs. Do not use it for more than a month on your canine companion.
- Applying undiluted neem essential oil to your dog’s coat may cause skin irritation.
- The neem plant is off-limits to pregnant dogs because it can cause miscarriage.
- Intake of neem, along with certain medications, poses the danger of drug interaction. Consult a veterinarian before administering it to dogs prescribed with medicine.
- Neem has hypoglycemic properties, meaning it can lower blood glucose levels in dogs. Using it on pooches with diabetes is discouraged.
5. Kefir
In a study conducted on animals, researchers found that goat’s milk yogurt is an effective natural remedy for intestinal worms in dogs.
It has been found to break down the cuticle of these parasites, which acts as an external skeleton that protects them from the strong acids in the digestive tract.
In addition to promoting a healthy gut microflora, goat’s milk yogurt can help prevent and treat worm infestations in dogs.
Here’s how to use goat’s milk yogurt for worms in dogs:
When choosing goat’s milk yogurt for your canine friend, select a low-fat and sugar-free variety.
Avoid flavored yogurts as they can contain harmful ingredients like chocolate and grapes. Also, check for xylitol as it is highly toxic to dogs.
It is best to choose a product that contains fewer additives, stabilizers, and thickeners as it is a healthier option.
Greek goat’s milk yogurt is a great choice since the straining process reduces its lactose content.
The suggested serving size of goat’s milk yogurt for dogs is as follows:
- Small breeds: 1 tablespoon per day
- Medium breeds: 2 tablespoons per day
- Large breeds: 3 tablespoons per day
Potential side effects:
- Goat’s milk yogurt is low in lactose but it can still trigger lactose intolerance in some dogs. If it’s your pet’s first time consuming it, offer it in small amounts.
- Keep a close eye on your dog and watch out for any adverse effects, such as stomach pain, bloated abdomen, diarrhea, or vomiting.
FAQs About Worms in Dogs
1. What causes worms in dogs?
A variety of factors can cause intestinal worms in dogs. Worms infect puppies at only 2 to 3 weeks of age via the mother’s milk. Coming into contact with or ingesting infected fleas, ticks, and other potential carriers of worms is another possibility.
Contaminated soil and feces may contain roundworm larvae, which stick to the coat of puppies or adult dogs and get ingested while grooming.
2. What do worms look like in dog poop?
Each common type of worm in dogs has a distinct appearance. However, because of their microscopic size, not all of them are visible in dog poop, like hookworms.
On the other hand, roundworms in dogs have a spaghetti-like appearance in stools. Whipworms in dogs are like thin threads with a fat end. Tapeworm sheds segments, which look closely similar to grains of rice.
To identify worms in dogs, a stool sample needs to be for a coprology test and parasite identification. The veterinarian will examine the sample under a microscope to determine the species of the worm.
3. How do dogs act when they have worms?
A lack of appetite is a behavioral symptom of worms in dogs that will gradually become apparent. Scooting or rubbing their rear on the ground also indicates the presence of intestinal parasites.
4. What are the signs of a dog having worms?
The most common signs of worms in dogs include a dull coat, poor growth, poor body condition, rounded abdomen, vomiting and diarrhea, coughing, and abdominal pain. Severe cases of intestinal parasite infestation can also cause affected canines to have fits of coughing and a distended belly.
If left untreated, these parasites will infiltrate the vital organs of canines, such as the eyes, brain, and lungs. All of these health complications can be fatal for dogs. Therefore, it’s important to follow a deworming schedule to prevent and treat any potential worm infestations.
5. Can dog worms be contagious?
Some types of worms are solely transmitted from dog to dog. Others can be passed on to humans, such as roundworms. Roundworm eggs can survive for a long time and are tough to get rid of. They are resistant to common sanitizers and can stick to surfaces, making them difficult to eliminate. Regular deworming is important to prevent parasite infestations and human infection.
Meanwhile, maintaining proper hygiene plays a big role in preventing intestinal worm transmission. Always wash your dog’s belongings once every 2 weeks. Clean up his poop immediately to keep it from becoming a breeding ground for worms. Bathe him once a month and give him a thorough wipe-down after exploring outdoors.
Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly after handling your dog. Lastly, do not skip administering natural treatment and preventatives for worms in dogs.
Summary
Natural deworming remedies are considered safer and with low environmental impact by many pet owners; however, annual veterinary appointments remain crucial for testing intestinal parasites.
Check out our Diet & Recipes section for additional natural home remedies for various common canine ailments.
