At A Glance: Best OTC Dewormer For…
The most common types of worms that dogs get are roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, whipworms, and heartworms. All are intestinal parasites except for heartworms, which affect the heart and lungs. Dog dewormers are medications targeted toward eliminating and preventing intestinal worms, but they aren’t effective for heartworms. Heartworms require a different treatment.
Dogs can get hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms by ingesting eggs or larvae in feces, soil, or contaminated surfaces. Dogs usually contract tapeworms by eating fleas that feed on tapeworm eggs or eating animals infected with tapeworms. Then, the worm larvae attach to your dog’s intestinal wall and grow into adult worms.
All four of the most common types of intestinal worms (roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, and whipworms) can cause very similar symptoms, including:
Best Natural Dewormer For Dogs: HomeoPet Worm Clear Review
If you’re a holistic pet parent who prefers to use all-natural ingredients, many customers say that HomeoPet Worm Clear is an effective homeopathic alternative to traditional medications. This liquid is formulated to remove and prevent hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms, and whipworms.
HomeoPet uses only naturally grown raw materials in its formula, including pumpkin seeds, pomegranate root bark, kamala, thyme camphor, and several other 100% natural ingredients. (Just keep in mind that this and other natural dewormers haven’t been proven effective in scientific studies.)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| All-natural ingredients | Must give 3 times per day for 14 days for an infestation |
| Kills 4 types of worms | Some reports that it doesn’t work |
| For dogs and cats | |
| Cruelty-free research |
Although they didn’t make our top picks, the following over-the-counter dewormers also get excellent reviews for being effective and well-tolerated in most dogs.
Durvet’s liquid dewormer comes in an easy-to-administer liquid formula and is safe to use on puppies as young as two weeks old. The active ingredient, pyrantel pamoate, helps eliminate both hookworms and large roundworms. But it isn’t a broad-spectrum solution like some other products we review here.
A lot of people use this for young puppies, who are often born with roundworms. It’s safe to use every two weeks as part of a puppy deworming schedule.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Safe for puppies as young as 2 weeks old | Only effective against large roundworms and hookworms |
| Good for a puppy deworming protocol (safe to give every 2 weeks) | Doesn’t come with a syringe |
| Easy-to-administer liquid formula |
The Safe-Guard dewormer by Merck Animal Health is an affordable alternative to Panacur C, with the same active ingredient, fenbendazole. It’s also effective against hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms, and whipworms and is safe for dogs six weeks and older and pregnant and lactating pups. The dosing for the packets of powder is identical to Panacur C.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable alternative to Pancur C (our #1 pick) | Must give for 3 consecutive days |
| Kills 4 types of worms (6 species) | Not safe for young puppies under 6 weeks old |
| Safe for pregnant and lactating dogs |
Veterinarians commonly prescribe Drontal Plus, Interceptor, and Sentinel for worm infestations. And you need to make sure you’re giving your pup a heartworm preventative (available by prescription only) to prevent this life-threatening disease.
There are also some excellent prescription meds* you may want to talk to your veterinarian about that can help to treat and prevent a host of parasites. Some include:
*You can often find these on Chewy’s website for less than what your vet will charge, but they still require a prescription.
Why Dewormer for Dogs Is Important
Dewormer for dogs is not only important to rid your pet of an infection but also to keep the entire household healthy. Some intestinal worms, like roundworms and hookworms, are also infectious to people.
If left untreated, these parasites can cause serious health problems for your dog. Intestinal worms can lead to a variety of gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, and vomiting. As such, most veterinarians recommend using year-round parasite protection to keep your dog healthy and avoid reinfection.
If your dog has intestinal worms, your veterinarian will prescribe a deworming medication. Once the infection has cleared, your veterinarian may recommend year-round parasite protection medication. In other cases, your veterinarian may just recommend treating the infection with a long-term parasite protection medication and keeping your dog on it year-round. In other words, year-round parasite protection medications are dewormers.
If your dog is on a heartworm preventative, know that these are often effective against some intestinal worms, too.
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It’s important to talk with your veterinarian to choose the best dewormer for your dog. “Product type, dosing, and frequency are all very important factors when considering treatment,” explains Dr. Wystrach. Your veterinarian will also consider factors such as your dog’s age, breed, and other medical conditions to select the best option for the treatment and/or control of worms.