The short answer
The most reliable way to get rid of worms in dogs is to find out which worm your dog has and treat it with an appropriate veterinary medicine. Different worms respond to different medicines, and a product that works on one type may do little against another. That is why most vets and animal welfare organizations advise a vet visit instead of guessing.
This article is general information, not a diagnosis. If you think your dog has worms, contact your vet.
Signs your dog may have worms
Signs vary by worm type and how heavy the infection is. Some dogs show no signs at all. Possible signs include:
- diarrhea or loose stools, sometimes with blood or mucus (see when to see a vet for dog diarrhea)
- vomiting, occasionally with worms visible
- weight loss despite a normal or increased appetite
- a pot-bellied look, especially in puppies
- a dull coat and low energy
- scooting or licking the rear end
- small rice-like segments around the anus or in the stool, which can suggest tapeworm
- coughing, which may be related to worms that travel through the lungs
These signs can also come from many other conditions, so they do not prove worms. Pale gums, weakness or a collapsing puppy need urgent veterinary attention.
Common worms and how dogs get them
- Roundworms: Common in puppies. Dogs can pick them up from contaminated soil or feces, and puppies can be infected before or soon after birth.
- Hookworms: Live in the intestine and feed on blood. Dogs can pick them up from contaminated ground.
- Whipworms: Live in the large intestine and can cause long-lasting diarrhea.
- Tapeworms: Dogs commonly get one type by swallowing an infected flea. Another type comes from eating raw meat or prey animals.
- Heartworm: Not an intestinal worm. It is spread by mosquitoes and needs separate prevention. See our guide to flea, tick and heartworm prevention.
Because fleas can carry tapeworm, controlling fleas is part of controlling tapeworm. Our article on alternative flea treatments discusses household steps.
What to do first
- Call your vet. Describe the signs and ask whether to bring your dog in.
- Collect a fresh stool sample if asked. Use a bag or a clean container, and wash your hands afterward. Vets often examine stool under the microscope to look for worm eggs, although not every worm shows up on every test.
- Keep notes on appetite, stool changes, any worms you have seen, and what preventive products your dog has had recently.
- Do not guess at medication. Dosing depends on weight, age and the type of worm.
What the vet may use for treatment
Your vet will choose a dewormer suited to the worm, your dog’s age and weight, and any health conditions. Medicines can be tablets, chews, liquids or spot-on products. Some infections need a repeat treatment weeks later to deal with worms that were still developing at the first dose. Follow your vet’s instructions about timing, and finish the plan even if your dog looks better. Ask what side effects to watch for.
Puppies, pregnant or nursing dogs, small breeds and dogs with other illnesses need particular care, so always check with your vet.
Can you deworm a dog at home?
You can do several useful things at home, but the medicine choice should be guided by a vet.
Safe and helpful at home:
- collecting the stool sample
- giving the medicine your vet prescribed or recommended exactly as directed
- picking up feces promptly, every time
- washing bedding and cleaning areas where your dog has had accidents
- keeping up flea control
Best avoided without veterinary advice:
- over-the-counter wormers chosen at random
- treating by internet dosing charts
- dosing “just in case” with an old or leftover medicine
- relying on home or herbal remedies when a dog has signs of illness
Wrong choices can leave the infection untreated, delay care, or cause side effects. Our article on whether dogs need worming explains how routine prevention fits in.
Natural dewormers: what to know
People often ask about natural dewormers such as pumpkin seeds, herbs or powders. Evidence that these reliably clear worms is weak, and some can be harmful. For example, see our article on diatomaceous earth for deworming. If you are curious about a natural product, discuss it with your vet instead of using it in place of treatment.
Can people catch worms from dogs?
Some dog worms, especially roundworms and hookworms, can infect people, and children are at higher risk. You can lower the risk by:
- washing hands after handling your dog, soil or feces
- picking up feces promptly
- keeping children from eating dirt or playing in contaminated areas
- keeping up your vet’s recommended worm control
Touching or cuddling a dog is not usually the issue. Contact with contaminated feces or soil is. If anyone in the household feels unwell, speak to a doctor and mention the pet.
Preventing reinfection
- Keep up regular preventives and checks as advised by your vet.
- Clean up the yard and walks regularly.
- Control fleas.
- Avoid letting your dog eat dead animals, feces or raw prey.
- Have all dogs in the household treated according to your vet’s advice.
When to see a vet urgently
Seek veterinary care promptly if your dog has repeated vomiting, bloody diarrhea, a swollen belly, pale gums, weakness or collapse, or if a puppy is not eating or is lethargic. Puppies can become seriously ill from a heavy worm burden.