Intestinal worms are not only unflattering, but they can also be dangerous to your dog. As a result, you must get rid of them as soon as possible. However, you may prefer to avoid using traditional deworming medications to maintain your holistic lifestyle. Plus, the average pharmaceutical dewormer can have some not-so-great side effects. Fortunately, one of the safest and most effective ways to get rid of worms in dogs is with everyday foods or herbs.
How Do Dogs Get Worms?
Dogs can come into contact with worms from normal, everyday activities. Some worms are found in dirt, urine, raw meat, or fleas eaten by your dog. Insect bites or skin contact can infect your dog with other worms. Puppies may also contract worms from their mother before birth or while breastfeeding.
Signs and Symptoms of Worms in Dogs
The signs that your dog has when he has worms vary depending on the type of worm that has infected him. Diarrhea or vomiting, stomach pain, fever, scooting, lack of appetite, dull coat, lethargy, nausea, mucus-covered stools, bloody feces, coughing, or bloating are all common symptoms of worms in dogs.
A fecal test may be necessary if you believe your dog has worms. This is due to the fact that most worms are invisible to the naked eye. Your veterinarian can use a microscope to look for eggs in your dog’s stool if you suspect, but do not see any worms.
Types of Worms in Dogs
Dogs can become infected with a number of different worm types, but the following are the most common.
Roundworms
Roundworms can be seen in your dog’s feces. They’ll resemble spaghetti and range in length from 1 to 7 inches. Your dog can have a potbellied appearance and seem sluggish. Diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, and weight loss are all signs of roundworms.
The small intestine is home to roundworms. The microscopic eggs may be picked up by your dog from the air or by eating contaminated animals such as birds or rodents.
Pregnant dogs are likely to pass them on to their puppies. Roundworms may also cause malnutrition and growth problems in puppies due to vomiting and diarrhea.
Tapeworms
Tapeworms are flat and around 6 inches long when whole. In your dog’s feces, you’ll usually see broken-off segments of white worms that resemble rice grains. Tapeworms are parasitic worms that live in the intestines. They can be acquired by your dog licking fleas off his fur. Keep an eye out for tapeworms in your dog’s stool if he has fleas.
Tapeworms can also be acquired from your dog eating tapeworm-infected meat from rabbits, cattle, pigs, or deer. If you feed raw meat to your dog, freeze it for 10 days to kill the tapeworms.
Whipworms
Whipworms are about 2 inches long and have a whip-like taper on one end. They feed on your dog’s blood by attaching themselves to the mucous membranes in the cecum and colon. When your dog passes them in a clump in his stool, you won’t be able to see them.
Diarrhea, vomiting, and weight loss are all signs of whipworms. Whipworms may be picked up by your dog by swallowing eggs found in dirt, water, or other areas where dog feces may be present.
Hookworms
Hookworms have a hook that sticks to the intestinal lining and are about one-eighth of an inch to three-quarters of an inch long. They feed on your dog’s blood and can cause anemia, making them particularly dangerous for small puppies. Hookworm is transmitted by larvae in the dirt, which your dog will pick up from his mouth or the skin on his paw pads.
Hookworms in your dog usually cause diarrhea and vomiting. Hookworms can be passed on to puppies in the same way as roundworms can. However, in this case, it is through the milk produced during breastfeeding. Anemia (a lack of healthy blood cells), fatigue, lethargy, and pale gums may all occur from this type of worm.
Heartworms
Heartworms are transmitted to dogs through mosquito bites. They develop in your dog’s heart, causing lung problems, heart failure, and organ damage. They can be life-threatening if not addressed.
I’m not going to talk about heartworms today because this article is about intestinal worms. But, be on the lookout for an article solely focusing on heartworms in the blog!
Getting Rid of Worms: Dog Worms Remedy
Starting with a balanced diet can aid in the development of a powerful immune system. The easiest way to keep your dog worm-free is to feed him a whole food, nutrient-dense diet. Since parasites enjoy the starch and sugars in kibble, dogs who eat it are far more vulnerable to worms than dogs who eat other food types.
However, whatever you feed your dog, there are many foods and herbs that can help kill all types of worms. If your dog isn’t accustomed to eating these remedies, start with a low dose and gradually increase to the recommended dose.
Traditional Worm Medications
Antiparasitics kill parasitic worms by poisoning them… but they aren’t selective. As a result, these medications have the potential to destroy the beneficial bacteria in your dog’s gut. This can have an effect on vital functions like digestion, nutrient absorption, and the immune system. Lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, seizures, liver damage, and death are all side effects of traditional dewormers.
Expel Worms with Fermented Foods
Fermented foods are one of the most effective ways to improve the health of your digestive system. By improving your dog’s immune system, you can help them get rid of worms. The gut houses almost 90% of the immune system.
You can either purchase fermented vegetables or make your own. Start with fermented vegetables and work your way up to 1 to 3 teaspoons per day per 20 pounds of body weight.
Black Cumin
Black cumin seed has been dubbed “the cure for all but death.” It’s extremely healthy and effective against a wide range of worms. If at all necessary, purchase whole seeds. In a pinch, black seed oil may be used, but the dosage should be halved.
1/2 tsp to 1 tsp a day in your dog’s food. You should heat the seeds to get rid of the bitter taste if your dog doesn’t like them.
Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds are one of the best and most successful ways to handle worms. This is due to the presence of the amino acid, cucurbitin, in pumpkin seeds. Cucurbitin paralyzes and kills worms in the gastrointestinal tract.
Using raw organic pumpkin seeds while feeding your dog. Don’t give your dog the salted seeds; they’re not good for them.
Once or twice a day, grind seeds and give 1/4 tsp per 10 lbs of weight until the parasites are gone. Pumpkin seeds are suitable for dogs who are pregnant.
Pineapple and Other Fruits and Veggies
To help your dog get rid of worms, you may add some fruits and vegetables to his or her diet. They’ll make your dog’s digestive system less friendly. Carrots, cucumber, watercress, greens, squash, and fennel are all good options.
Pineapple is another good option. It’s high in bromelain, a protein-digesting enzyme. It can also help your dog’s immune system battle the worms by boosting his immune system. Papaya also contains papain, an enzyme that can help fight worms.
Pomegranate will help you get rid of tapeworms. This is because pomegranate contains compounds that aid in the expulsion of worms from the digestive tract.
Add at least 1 tsp of each of these fruits and vegetables to your dog’s meals twice a day, per 10 lbs of body weight.
Garlic
Garlic is healthy to give to your dog in small quantities and can help battle worms. Garlic is scientifically known to be just as effective as traditional dewormers.
Allow 10 to 15 minutes for chopped raw organic garlic to sit before feeding it to your dog. This will aid in the release of beneficial compounds that will help you battle the worms. The recommended dosages are:
- 1/4 clove twice per day for small dogs
- 1/2 cloves twice a day for medium dogs
- Up to 3/4 clove twice a day for big dogs
- Extra large dogs can have 1 clove twice per day
Garlic should not be used as a worm treatment in pregnant or lactating dogs, or in dogs taking blood thinners.
Apple Cider Vinegar
One of the many advantages of apple cider vinegar is that it aids in the deworming of dogs. It makes the digestive system more alkaline, making the digestive system less attractive to parasites.
Offer your dog 1/4 to 1 tsp of raw, organic, unfiltered vinegar per day in his water or food.
Parsley
Parsley can also be used to get rid of worms. Cook fresh parsley until it is soft, then strain out the solids and freeze into ice cubes. One cube should be given once a day.
Diatomaceous Earth
To minimize the number of worms in your dog, use food-grade diatomaceous earth. However, if your dog has tapeworms, it may not be effective.
- Small dogs: 1 tsp per day
- Dogs over 55 lbs: Up to 1 tbsp per day
Chamomile
Chamomile can be used to both deter and eliminate roundworms and whipworms. This herb takes longer to function, but it also tends to minimize worm-caused inflammation.
For worms, make a glycerin tincture with chamomile. Two times a day, offer 0.25 to 0.5 mL per 20 pounds of body weight. Some dogs are allergic to chamomile, so make sure yours isn’t one of them before using it. Apply a small amount of the tincture to your dog’s skin to test.
Pineapple weed, chamomile’s cousin, is even more successful at getting rid of worms. These herbs should not be used if your dog is pregnant or lactating.
Oregon Grape
Anti-parasitic, antibiotic, and liver tonic, Oregon grape is a great addition to every diet.
For every 20 pounds of body weight, give your dog 12 drops of Oregon grape tincture. When using Oregon grape, you should also offer milk thistle. Since Oregon grape can be toxic to the liver, milk thistle can help to protect it. For every 20 pounds of body weight, take 1/4 teaspoon of milk thistle tincture.
Pregnant or lactating dogs should avoid Oregon grape. It should not be given to dogs who have liver disease.
Improve Your Dog’s Immune System
You should improve your dog’s immune system to help avoid worms. If your dog’s immune system is in good condition, he should be able to expel any worms on his own, without you ever knowing.
Feeding your dog whole foods is one of the easiest ways to support a balanced immune system.
Probiotics are another useful method. You can improve your dog’s digestive and immune health by helping to maintain the balance of healthy bacteria in his gut with probiotics.
Full Bucket Health Daily Dog Probiotic
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Look for probiotics as well as prebiotics in supplements. Probiotics are good bacteria that colonize your dog’s intestine and help him stay healthy. By feeding the bacteria, the prebiotics will help the probiotics be more successful.
Digestive enzymes can also be beneficial. They help your dog’s digestive system function more effectively, making it easier for him to get rid of parasites like worms.
Last but not least, keep your yard poop-free. This will aid in the prevention of intestinal worms in both you and your pets.
Read more:
6 Natural Ways to Treat and Prevent Worms | PetPartners Pet Insurance
Worms in Dogs: Prevent, Diagnose, and Treat Different Types of Worms
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