Puppy and dog worming: How often to worm a dog

Worms in dogs

To keep your pup feeling their best, you’ll need to have them dewormed to rid them of nasty internal parasites. Worms are a common illness in puppies, so it’s important to set up a good puppy deworming schedule right from the get-go.

Dogs can be infected by four different types of worms in the UK. These are hookworm, roundworm, whipworm and tapeworm. Read on to find out more:

Roundworms

Roundworms can either be toxocara canis or toxascaris leonin. They look like spaghetti and are long and white. The larvae infect a dog’s intestinal tract and then burrows into other organs and tissues.

Toxocara canis larvae move into the lungs before going up the airway where they’re coughed up and swallowed. Once swallowed they complete their lifecycle by entering unto the intestine again. In comparison, toxascaris leonin doesn’t move around and has a simple lifecycle.

Hookworms

Hookworms are blood-sucking parasites that can be fatal to young puppies, as they take away so many valuable nutrients. They’re small, have a similar lifecycle to toxocara canis roundworms and travel around the infected pet’s body and into their lungs. They mature in the lungs and then move into the intestine.

Whipworms

Whipworms aren’t common in the UK, but they are found in the dog’s large intestine. They don’t ingest the same amount of nutrients as other worms in dogs and don’t cause many problems or symptoms.

Tapeworms

Tapeworms are found in your pup’s small intestine and hold onto the intestinal wall with their teeth to absorb the food as it’s digested. These worms in dogs are flat and long – at least half a foot in length.

They don’t usually cause too many problems, as there should be enough nutrients to go round. When excreted they split into segments, and you may notice the worms in your dog’s poo – they look like little grains of rice.

Ringworms

Ringworms are not a type of dog worms – despite the name. Instead, they’re a fungal infection of the skin, hair and nails. It’s called ringworm due to the appearance of a round, raised ring around a crusty-looking centre. It’s not life threatening, but it is very contagious.

How do dogs get worms?

Unfortunately, worms are quite easy for your dog to pick up. Here are a few ways your dog may get worms in the UK:

From contact with an infected animal.
Eating the larvae or eggs of worms – this could be through eating infected faces or coming across any in the grass.
Eating infected prey animals, raw meat or parasites .
Worms can pass onto puppies through their mother’s milk.

Muddy puddles could also harbour bacteria and parasites that your dog could ingest. Worm eggs can live in the mud for a long time.

Symptoms of worms in dogs

Sometimes it can be hard to spot the symptoms of worms in dogs, so it’s really important to have a vet-recommended regular deworming schedule.

Signs of worms in dogs include:

Weight loss.
Dragging their bottom along the ground after going to the toilet.
Change in fur to become dry and coarse.
Increased appetite.
Weakness.
Diarrhoea.
In severe cases, puppies may have a distended abdomen – which looks like a pot belly.

How to treat and prevent worms in dogs and puppies

Dogs

Adult dogs should be given deworming medication as advised by your vet. This may be every three or six months, or more frequently if advised. You can buy deworming tablets from pet shops, but some vets prescribe stronger medication. You can get also get injection or spot-on treatments.

With all deworming treatments, make sure you get the correct dose for your dog’s weight. Always follow the instructions when giving your pets any medication. Some treatment needs to be given on an empty stomach to be most effective and your dog may experience diarrhoea after deworming.

Puppies

Puppies need deworming more regularly as their immune systems are still developing. As worms are so common, it’s recommended to deworm them for the first time at two or three weeks old . Pups then need deworming every two weeks until they reach 12 weeks old, then every month until they reach six months.

Puppy worming should be done by a vet. If you’re buying a puppy from a reputable breeder or shelter, they should be able to provide documents that show your pup has been wormed before you bring them home.

Sainsbury's Bank Dog Insurance

Dog insurance may help cover the cost of vet bills if your dog needs to receive treatment or medication (please note that we do not cover routine vaccinations or deworming treatments). At Sainsbury’s Bank we offer three different levels of cover, so you can choose the option that best suits your family:

Lifetime – access of up to £10,000 towards vet bills each year.
Maximum benefit – cover for accidents, conditions and illnesses of up to £6,000.
Time limited – cover vet costs for your pet’s short-term health issues of up to £3,000, or for 12 months.

Please note that we won't cover any pre-existing conditions and that terms, conditions, excesses, exclusions and limitations apply.

Frequently asked questions

How often should you worm a dog?

Your vet will be able to advise you on how often your dog needs deworming. But it’s often every three or six months. A puppy worming schedule needs to be much more frequent – every two weeks until they’re 12 weeks old.

How often should you worm a puppy?

Puppy worming needs to happen frequently as their immune systems aren’t fully developed yet. Once puppies are two to three weeks old, they should be enrolled in a worming puppy schedule of every two weeks until they’re three months – then every month until they’re half a year old.

Can humans get worms from dogs?

Yes, it is possible for humans to get worms from their dog but it’s unusual. Humans can catch roundworms, hookworms and whipworms – but roundworms are the most common. You can reduce the likelihood by deworming your dog regularly and washing your hands after playing with your pets and before eating.

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