How to Prevent Worms in Dogs

Last Updated: January 23, 2023 References Approved

Dogs, especially puppies, are commonly infested with parasites such as worms. Many times, pet owners may not notice a problem until it has grown out of control and the animal becomes sick. A veterinarian can often identify if your dog has worms, but your dog may have worms even when fecal samples come back negative for parasites. Most parasites can be controlled by medication, although some cannot be completely eliminated because of the dormancy of eggs and larvae. The best way to control a parasite infestation in your dog is to prevent it from occurring in the first place. Regular and diligent preventative treatment and exams will help ensure no infestation in your dog.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Keeping Worms out of Your Dog’s Environment

1
Clean your dog's living area on a regular basis to remove feces and other waste materials. Dogs may become infected with worms from old feces that remains in your backyard. Use a poop scooper to clean up your dog’s feces every day. Do not allow it to build up or it may pose a health hazard to your dog.^{[1]
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- Wash your dog's bedding at least once per week as well. Doing so will help to prevent fleas and other pests from breeding in your dog's blankets or bed.
2
Clean kennel runs often. Keeping your dog’s play area or kennel run very clean is one of the best ways to prevent hookworms. Hookworms live in soil and may either get into a dog through the skin on his feet or get ingested by the dog while he is grooming his feet.^{[2]
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- If you have a concrete kennel for your dog, clean it with a solution of bleach diluted in water. Use one part bleach to 32 parts water.^{[3]
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- In severe cases of hookworm infestation in grass runs, you may want to consider treating the area with sodium borate. Just keep in mind that the sodium borate will kill the grass along with the worms.
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3
Steer clear of animal feces when you go for walks with your dog. Dogs like to walk with their noses to the ground and sniff for other animals. Unfortunately, they sniff feces and urine of other animals and may come in contact with parasites. If you notice any feces in your path, steer your dog away from it.
- Keep your dog away from other dogs or cats that may be infected with worms. If you encounter an unfamiliar dog or cat during a walk, keep your dog away from it.^{[4]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Eliminating Worm-Carrying Pests

1
Control any infestations of mice or rats in the area with the appropriate bait and traps. Tapeworms use mice and rats as hosts until they can find a larger host, such as a dog. If your dog eats an infected mouse or rat, then your dog may become infected with any tapeworms or other parasites that rodent was carrying.^{[5]
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2
Get rid of stagnant water where mosquitoes may breed. The only way for a dog to get heartworms is from the bite of an infected mosquito, so it is important to reduce your dog's exposure to mosquitoes.^{[6]
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Research source} Mosquitoes pick up heartworms when they bite an infected dog, fox, coyote, or wolf, then they transmit the heartworms to the next dog or dogs that they bite.^{[7]
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- Get rid of any stagnant water that may serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes in your dog’s outdoor area.
3
Keep slugs and snails out of your dog’s yard area. Snails and slugs can also infect your dog with lungworms, so do your best to keep snails and slugs out of your dog’s yard area. Do not allow your dog to eat snails or slugs because this is one of the main ways that dogs get infected. Clean up your dog’s toys at the end of the day as well because slugs and snails may leave slime trails on dog toys, which may cause your dog to be infected with lungworms.^{[8]
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- It is difficult to diagnose lungworms, but if your dog experiences respiratory problems such as trouble breathing or frequent coughing, or experiences weight loss, have your veterinarian check your dog for lungworms.
4
Consider hiring an exterminator if you cannot eliminate pests yourself. If you are having trouble controlling the pests in your dog's outdoor area, you may want to consider hiring a professional exterminator to take care of the problem.
- Keep in mind that repeated treatments may be necessary to take care of the pest problem and this can be quite expensive. Ask for an inspection and estimate before you decide to have your yard treated with pesticides.^{[9]
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  University of California Integrated Pest Management Program
  Research-based pest management program run by the University of California's Cooperative Extension
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- While the area is being treated, you will need to keep your dog inside. Ask the exterminator when it will be safe for your dog to go outside again.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Medications and Other Treatments

1
Give your dog a monthly flea prevention medicine. Infected fleas may give your dog tapeworms, so it is crucial to take steps to prevent your dog from getting fleas. You can purchase flea medicine online or in pet stores, but you may want to discuss flea medicine options with your veterinarian as well. Your veterinarian may be able to make recommendations based on your pet’s health history.^{[10]
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2
Talk to your veterinarian about a de-worming plan for your dog. Whether you have a new puppy or an adult dog, you should ask your veterinarian about heartworm testing and prevention medications. Heartworms cause serious health complications for your dog such as bleeding, trouble breathing, and heart failure. That is why it is so important to prevent heartworms and get immediate treatment if you suspect that your dog may have heartworms.^{[11]
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- Popular de-worming medications include Panacur, Drontal, and Milbemax. Ask your veterinarian about these and other de-worming medications to treat and protect your dog.
- Remember that different dewormers kill different worms, and not all products kill all worm types.
3
Use a veterinarian-approved insecticide spray or powder to help control fleas in your home. If your home is infested with fleas, then you will need to use some sort of spray or powder to get rid of them. Check with your veterinarian for recommendations or look for products that that labeled as pet safe.^{[12]
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- Do not use anything that may harm your dog if she comes in contact with it.
4
Ask your veterinarian for help treating a pregnant dog for worms. Some worms, such as hookworms and ringworms, may be passed on from the mother dog to her babies in the womb or through her milk. Therefore, it is important to treat pregnant or nursing mother dogs for worms.^{[13]
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- Talk to your veterinarian to find the safest option for de-worming a pregnant or nursing dog.
5
Become familiar with worms that may infect your dog. As you work with your veterinarian to protect your dog from worms, it may also help you to learn about some of the different types of worms that may infect your dog. The most common types of worms in dogs include:
- Roundworms: Roundworms are long round worms which look a bit like string, noodles, or spaghetti. Roundworms are quite common and they pose a health risk to people, so it is important to control them. Most dogs are born with roundworms because the eggs cross the placenta when the puppy is in the womb. Puppies can also get roundworms from their mother’s milk. Roundworm eggs can even lay dormant in a dog for years before hatching. Roundworm eggs can also survive in the soil for months or even years. The eggs get into the soil from infected feces. ^{[14]
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- Tapeworms: Dogs most often get tapeworms by eating a flea that is infected with tapeworms (such as when the dog grooms and swallows a flea) or from eating vermin contaminated with tapeworms.^{[15]
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- Heartworm: Heartworm is transmitted by mosquitoes. A bite from an infected mosquito is the only way that dogs can get heartworm.^{[16]
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- Hookworms: Dogs may become infected with hookworms from eating contaminated soil, or from larvae that go through the skin in the dog's paws. Hookworm infections are more common in warm, humid places. Hookworms may also be passed to puppies across the placenta or in a mother dog’s milk.^{[17]
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- Lungworm: Lungworm is a fox parasite that sometimes infects dogs. Dogs may become infected with lungworm after contact with infected fox feces, eating infected slugs or snails, or by coming into contact with the slime trail left behind by infected slugs and snails.^{[18]
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Learn about treatment options. Part of preventing worm infections is to clear the existing infestation with anthelmintics (drugs that kill worms). This ensures your dog is worm free and also reduces the shedding of eggs and larvae into the environment, which may infect your dog in the future. Make sure that you discuss treatment options with your veterinarian before giving anything to your dog. Giving your dog too much medicine may cause severe side effects.
- Roundworms: Many products are effective at killing adult roundworms. The product most widely used for puppies is Panacur (fenbendazole) which can also be given to pregnant and nursing dogs. Other products suitable for older pups and adult dogs include selamectin (Revolution spot on) and praziquantel/ pyrantel (Drontal Plus) and milbemycin/pyrantel (Milbemax).
- Tapeworms: Tapeworms are a bit harder to treat because they do not respond to some chemicals. An effective de-wormer for tapeworm must contain pyrantel and praziquantel, so Drontal Plus or Milbemax (or equivalent) are ideal.
- Heartworm: Treatment of heartworm must be administered under the supervision of your veterinarian because complications may be severe or even fatal.^{[19]
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  Research source} The drug used to kill off heartworms is called Immiticide and is from the arsenic family.^{[20]
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  Research source} Prevention is a much better option. Your veterinarian may recommend either a 6-monthly preventative injection or monthly at-home preventatives such as HeartGard, Iverhart, Revolution or Trifexis.^{[21]
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- Hookworms: Panacur, Nemex, Drontal Plus, Telmintic, and Vercom Paste are all effective treatments against hookworms.^{[22]
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- Lungworm: Lungworm can be treated with products from the ivermectin family of drugs such as Advocate (imidacloprid) spot on, milbemycin containing products (milbemax), and they are also sensitive to long courses of fenbendazole (Panacur).^{[23]
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  Research source} Check with your vet before starting treatment if you think your dog has a lungworm infection. Lungworms may cause fluid build-up in the lungs and pneumonia, which may further complicate your dog’s situation.^{[24]
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Warnings

Some parasites can be transmitted to humans, especially children. Young children or toddlers have a habit of picking up things off the ground and sticking them in their mouths. If these things have been exposed to parasite eggs or larvae, the children will become infected as well. It is important that any areas where children play, such as backyards and public playgrounds, be kept free of animal feces, waste or decay.

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Roundworms can pose a risk to humans. Humans can accidentally ingest contaminated soil or feces while cleaning pet areas or areas where other animals are present, resulting in parasite infection. Be sure to wear latex gloves when cleaning these areas and always wash your hands and any other exposed areas with soap and water after finishing. You may also want to remove your clothing in an area away from the inside of your house, such as the garage and near the washing machine, so that there is no chance of infection from parasites on clothing.

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Do not use insecticide products on young dogs or puppies without first checking with your veterinarian. Although tolerated by adult dogs, young dogs and puppies could get sick from the chemicals.

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