Canine Care Explained: How Often To Deworm Puppy?

Did you get a cute four-legged pet recently?

First off, congratulations! Secondly, gear up for vet visits coming up!

We are talking about worms here. These extremely small creatures are an unavoidable part of the life of dogs.

They are parasites (literally) that live rent-free in a dog's gut and have the ability to cause serious health problems to a dog. A responsible dog owner must be well aware of these symptoms and they must implement a puppy deworming schedule as it is imperative for the puppy's health.

Deworming starts at a very young age as adult dogs have a stronger immune system comparatively.

A deworming schedule must be made with a veterinarian as soon you've got your furry friend. Read on to learn more about puppy deworming, the deworming schedule, symptoms of worms, and more!

If you enjoy this article, why not also read about how often should you bathe a cat and why do dogs get hiccups here on Kidadl?

At what age can you deworm a puppy?

Puppies are vulnerable to contracting worms from their surroundings or directly from their mothers. It is essential to treat them and continue the treatment until the puppy becomes an adult. It is recommended by vets that they undergo deworming treatment starting from the early age of two weeks.

The deworming schedule consists of deworming sessions at two, four, five, eight, and 12 weeks of age. After these ages, the deworming treatment is scheduled every three to six months. You must not deworm your puppy every week.

Most dogs get dewormed when they are six weeks old. But it is advised by vets that baby dogs get dewormed at two weeks for the first time, especially if the mother is suspected to have worms, or even if the mother of puppies has a history of them.

The deworming treatment of 12 days must be initiated within 2 weeks of the birth of the baby dog.

If the deworming treatment isn't given, baby dogs usually start experiencing breathing difficulties that often lead to illness.

It is best to consult with your vet regarding the most efficient deworming for your pup and get advice about tips for prevention. Tests are done to detect the presence of parasites in the anal opening and dog stool, whereas some worms are quite big and can be spotted without a test.

It’s also possible for the infected mother to pass hookworms and roundworms to her babies during feeding. It’s also possible for them to eat larvated eggs that may be in their environment.

It is imperative to consult with your vet regularly about these parasites.

Home Remedies To Deworm A Puppy

While one can prevent worms by performing some home remedies, it is imperative to consult with a veterinarian and take his or her advice if your pet is showing symptoms of worms. Vegetables and fruits help in preventing worms in dogs.

Vegetables and fruits like beetroot, carrot, papaya, coconut, and apple have an extensive amount of fiber and are natural dewormers. Adding them to the diet of your dog ensures a worm-free and healthy dog.

Pumpkin seeds also consist of deworming elements that paralyze worms that dwell on intestinal walls in the body of dogs. These seeds help remove worms from the dog's body.

Papaya seeds also help in killing worms present on the dog's intestinal walls. Crushed cloves also help in deworming of a dog. However, if the dog is showing signs of worms, it must be taken to a vet who will prescribe liquids, capsules, or tablets.

Tablets are the most common deworming solution. Commonly, dogs are given this medication by hiding it in food or treats.

However, it is imperative to get the combination of food and dewormer approved by the vet to administer it. The amount of dose of dewormer relies upon the infection type and the weight of the dog.

How long does it take to deworm a puppy?

Young puppies are in developing stages and also may be born with worms present in their body. These puppies must be dewormed during early days of their life and regularly at two, four, five, eight, and 12 weeks of age.

After these ages, treat the puppy every three months for the rest of its life. The majority of deworming treatments start eliminating worms two to six hours after being administered.

There are different kinds of worms that can be found in puppies. Hookworms and tapeworms are the most prevalent kinds that dwell in puppies.

Hookworms are very dangerous intestinal parasites that can be transferred to the pup through feeding done by the mother or even before it is born. Tapeworms can be transmitted when the pup feeds upon the larvae of the host animal.

This host animal could possibly be a mouse or a flea. Roundworm is another type that is harmful to puppies as roundworm worm bundles of this kind cause a reduction in growth. Roundworms can come in contact with a puppy through dirt or infected feces.

Roundworms are quite fertile and lay massive amounts of eggs. Ringworms are another extremely contagious type that dwell on the skin and are caused due to fungus.

What happens when you deworm a puppy?

Puppy dewormers mainly include Niclosamide and Pyrantel Pamoate. They are both known as the broad spectrum of medicines as they can eliminate a host of parasites that are living rent-free in a dog's gut.

After your pet dog is given a dose of the dewormer medication, worms get paralyzed and are prevented by the medication from infecting the rest of the intestine. These worms are then passed out of the puppy's body by stool.

While puppy deworming is essential for the good health of a dog, prevention from reinfection is also vital to have a healthy and happy pet. You must eliminate fleas from your area as fleas can pass on tapeworms!

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for how often to deworm puppy then why not take a look at why do dogs stare at you, or Hokkaido dog facts.