Best Dog Dewormer Summary
- Best Overall Dog Dewormer for Small Dogs: PetArmor 7 Way De-Wormer for Small Dogs
This dog dewormer checks all boxes for quality and efficacy and is excellent for small dogs struggling with worm infestations. - Best Overall Dog Dewormer for Large Dogs: PetArmor 7 Way De-Wormer for Medium and Large Dogs
This broad-spectrum dog dewormer is perfect for large dogs as it is highly efficient and effortless to give. - Best Dog Dewormer for Pregnant Dogs: Safe-Guard Canine Dewormer for Dogs
This dog dewormer is perfect for pregnant dogs because it is perfectly safe and does not cause side effects. - Most Effective Broad Spectrum Dog Dewormer: SENTRY Pet Care 7 Way De-Wormer for Dogs
This dog dewormer comes in the form of flavored and chewable tablets and protects from different types of worms. - Best Dog Dewormer for Puppies: Durvet 2x Liquid Wormer for Adult Dogs and Puppies
This dog dewormer has a gentle yet efficient formula available as a liquid suspension with a dog-friendly flavor. - Best Tapeworm Dewormer: Bayer Chewable Quad Dewormer for Dogs
This broad-spectrum and beef-flavored dog dewormer is perfect for picky eaters and very efficient in deworming.
What is a Dog Dewormer?
A dog dewormer is a medication used to kill worms in dogs. It can be used to prevent and treat worm infestations. Worms are internal parasites that live in the dog’s intestines. The most common types of worms are roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, and whipworms.
Dog dewormers come in various forms, including oral tablets, flavored chewables, and liquid suspensions. Most dog dewormers are broad-spectrum, meaning they work against different worms simultaneously.
Some deworming products are over-the-counter, while others require a vet prescription. Anyway, we strongly recommend talking to your trusted veterinarian before using a dog dewormer.
What are the Benefits of Dog Dewormers?
The main benefit of dog dewormers is that they kill worms. This helps protect your dog’s health from all the potential complications that come with living with many worms in the gut. These complications include dehydration, low energy, and anemia.
The Best Dog Dewormers Reviewed
From the many available dewormers, we have selected and reviewed the best six brands for you and your dog to try.
Summary: The PetArmor 7 Way De-Wormer for Small Dogs is in the form of chewable and dog-friendly flavored tablets. They are made to use on puppies 12 weeks or older and small dogs that weigh 6 to 25 lbs. It works against seven species of worms: 2 types of tapeworms, two types of roundworms, and three types of hookworms.
Pros
- Vet-quality dewormer tablets
- Two active ingredients
- Works against different worms
- Has minimal and benign side effects
- Extremely easy to use
Cons
- Not ideal for large and giant dogs
Review: The PetArmor dewormer has received many positive reviews praising how effective it is. Dog owners love that the dewormer is a great-tasting chewy that doesn’t require a lot of encouragement to take. They also love that it works within days, and there is rarely a need for a second dose.
Summary: This has the same formula as the PetArmor for small dogs, except it is made for larger dogs weighing between 25 and 200 lbs. It also targets seven species of worms and has two soft chews per pack. The product is perfect for deworming large dogs.
Pros
- Works on seven types of worms
- Pyrantel pamoate and praziquantel
- Vet-approved and recommended formula
- Has minimal to no side effects
- Dog-friendly flavored chewables
Cons
- Not suited for small and toy dog breeds
Review: Dog owners are very pleased with this dewormer. Dogs love it too. They eat it up quickly without a problem. Customers who had dealt with worms for a long time were pleased with how effective this one was.
Summary: Safe-Guard dewormer comes in the form of granules that should be mixed with the dog’s food. It is given for three consecutive days and then protected for six months. This dewormer uses fenbendazole, the same active ingredient that is used for the prevention of heartworms.
Pros
- Fenbendazole as active ingredients
- Safe for use on pregnant dogs
- Efficacy that lasts for six months
- Very easy to administer
- Suitable for puppies and debilitated dogs
Cons
- Some dogs may dislike the granules' taste
Review: Owners say this dewormer is truly as effective as the label says. As long as you get past the three consecutive doses, the dewormer is a true miracle for most dogs suffering from worm infestations.
Summary: The Sentry HC Wormx is formulated to target seven types of worms, including tapeworms, hookworms, and roundworms. Each pack comes with two doses that should last you two months if you use one per month. Since it is chewable, all you have to do is give it to your dog and let them eat it like a dog treat.
Pros
- Targets a wide variety of worms
- With two active ingredients
- Very easy to administer
- Works in a short period
- Ideal for small and medium dogs
Cons
- May cause diarrhea in some dogs
Review: The Sentry dewormer has many positive reviews, many of them talking about how fast and effective it is. Many parents, however, reported severe diarrhea bouts after using the chew.
Summary: The Durvet dewormer for dogs and puppies is designed to help treat and control roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms. The main active ingredient is pyrantel pamoate. It also works in your dog’s gut to prevent reinfestation of worms in case your dog gets exposed again.
Pros
- Suitable for young puppies
- Several doses per bottle
- Prevents reinfestations
- Easy-to-use liquid suspension
Cons
- Not efficient for tapeworms
Review: Dog owners say that this dewormer worked great for their dogs. It got rid of worms very quickly without causing any severe side effects. The dewormer has a reasonably neutral taste, so dogs could barely pick up the scent while eating.
Summary: The Bayer dewormer is ideal for dogs infested with various worms. The product is efficient against four types of worms (hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms, whipworms). It comes in the form of chewable tablets, and each is beef-flavored for easy use.
Pros
- Available over-the-counter
- Efficient against tapeworms
- With three active ingredients
- Enticing beef-flavored chew
- Works in only one dose
Cons
- Often out of stock
Review: Dog owners describe this dewormer as a literal lifesaver. It is effective in eliminating worms with just one dose. Owners highly recommend it to others because of how well and quickly it works in their dogs.
Which is the Best Dewormer for Dogs?
The best dog dewormer is the PetArmor 7 Way De-Wormer. It contains prescription-grade ingredients that make it very effective in eliminating worms with a single dose.
When selecting a dog dewormer, keep the following considerations in mind:
- The Dog’s Age. Most dewormers have an age limit below which they can’t be used. You should therefore check if the dewormer you are choosing is suited for your dog’s age, especially if she is still a puppy.
- Formulation. These days, most dewormers are chews or liquids for easy administration, but some tablet formulations still exist. Opt for the formulation that will be easiest for your dog to take without giving you a hard time.
- Worm Type. Some dewormers are made to target one type of worm, while others target multiple types. Whichever one you choose, be sure to check that it works for the specific type of worm infection your dog has.
- Efficacy and Efficiency. This refers to how well a dewormer works. Some dewormers work in as little as 24 hours while others work slowly, and some barely work at all. Choose the dewormer that suits your dog’s needs the best. For example, if your dog needs fast relief, a fast-acting dewormer is paramount.
- PetArmor 7 Way Chewable De-Wormer for dogs treats and controls 7 species of worms: 2 types of tapeworms, 2 types of roundworms, and 3 types of hookworms
- These vet-quality tablets are safe for puppies 12 weeks or older, and small dogs 6.0 to 25 lbs
- For best results with any PetArmor dog dewormer read and follow label intructions.
How can I Deworm My Dog Naturally?
You can deworm your dog using certain foods, usually fruits, veggies, and seeds. Natural dewormers for dogs can be beneficial if used correctly. However, we recommend seeing the vet before using a natural or mainstream dog dewormer.
Natural dewormers that can help treat intestinal parasites and worms in your dog include:
- Pumpkin Seeds
- Food-grade Diatomaceous Earth
- Cloves
- Papaya
- Turmeric
- Wormwood
Home remedies for treating intestinal parasites and worms in your dog are effective but may take more time to kill worms than a dewormer medication. Also, in cases of heavy infestations, it is better to use a regular instead of a natural dog dewormer.
How do I know if My Dog Needs Deworming?
Scooting and the presence of worms and eggs in the dog’s stool are the main signs your dog needs to be dewormed. However, ideally, you should not wait for these signs to appear – you must deworm your dog regularly, following a schedule suggested by the vet.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the signs indicating your dog needs to be dewormed.
- Worms/Eggs in the Stool. The most obvious symptom of intestinal parasites in dogs is the visible presence of rice-like or spaghetti-like structures in the poop. In severe cases, they can be present in the dog’s vomit. If possible, capture the worm or take a picture of it and bring it with you to the vet’s office.
- Scooting. If you notice your dog rubbing or scratching its rear on the ground, floor, or your furniture (medical term – scooting), your dog is probably infested with intestinal worms. Call your veterinarian and make an appointment.
- Pot-Bellied Abdomen. Swelling of the abdomen is more common and easily visible in puppies with heavy worm infestations. Puppies can be born with worms, especially if the mother was not regularly dewormed during pregnancy.
- Increased Appetite. Intestinal worms feed on the same food as the dog. Therefore, a dog with worms is likely to eat more than usual and still lose weight.
- Weight loss. As noted, dogs with worms lose weight because the parasites are taking their nutrients. As the weight loss progresses, the dog may start feeling lethargic and lose interest in everyday activities.
- Bloody Diarrhea. Diarrhea is a very common sign of intestinal worms – simply put, the presence of worms in the intestines affects the dog’s gut health and overall wellness. However, bloody diarrhea can indicate other issues, which is why you need to call the vet if your dog has bloody diarrhea.
- Poor Coat Quality. Over time, as the worms feed on the dog’s nutrients, the dog will experience a deterioration in its skin and coat health. If your dog’s skin is dry and its coat seems dull and unkempt, chances are it is dealing with intestinal parasites.
Can I Deworm My Dog Myself?
Yes, you can deworm your dog yourself. However, you still need a vet’s help to diagnose and maybe even select the best treatment for your dog.
It is nearly impossible to know what specific type of worm is affecting your dog without a diagnostic test.
Some worms may be visible, but others are so small you can’t see them in fecal matter. You should therefore see a vet as soon you know your dog has worms for an official diagnosis and prescription.
How Often Should I Deworm My Dog?
You should deworm your dog every three months. However, the exact deworming frequency depends on the dog’s age and lifestyle.
For example, if your dog develops symptoms of a worm infection between doses, you should deworm it with the guidance of your vet.
Also, in puppies, you may need to deworm more often. Most puppies need a dose every two weeks until twelve weeks of age and then every month until six months of age.
Talk to your veterinarian about the right deworming protocol for your dog. The vet will take into consideration many factors and create an individually tailored deworming schedule.
How do I Give My Dog a Dewormer?
You can put the dewormer directly into your dog’s mouth or mix it with food. If giving the pill with the dog’s food, mix it in a small amount and make sure your dog eats it entirely.
This applies to standard dewormers in the form of pills or tablets. Today, there are some new dewormer options, such as chewable treats or even liquids (which can be oral or topical spot-on treatments).
Make sure you read the instructions carefully before giving your dog the dewormer.
How Long Does it Take to Get Rid of Worms in Dogs?
In general, it takes around four weeks for the worms to get eliminated from the dog’s body. However, the exact timeframe depends on the type of worm and the dewormer’s efficacy. The severity of the infestation plays an important role, too – weaker infestations tend to clear faster than strong ones.
Katelyn Son
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