Deworming in dogs: how often, why and with what
Deworming your dog means administering a product that kills any worms present in the body. It is curative rather than preventive, and is therefore repeated on a regular schedule, usually at least four times a year.
Deworming is one of the most overlooked aspects of care, and this is due to the nature of the problem: you only discover an infestation late. However, it is important to do it early and regularly. In this blog, we explain why deworming is necessary, how often you should do it and what to look out for when choosing a product.
Why deworming is important
Worms are one of the most common parasites in dogs and cats. All puppies and kittens are born with worms passed on from their mother, which is why deworming is particularly important in young animals. Worms are also zoonotic: they can be transmitted from animals to humans and vice versa. The infection spreads easily through faeces or an infected prey animal, such as a fly or mouse.
An untreated or late-treated worm infestation can lead to serious consequences, and in extreme cases, even death. This is reason enough to deworm your dog regularly instead of waiting until you see symptoms.
Curative, not preventive
An important point to understand: a product such as No Worm PRO is curative rather than preventive. It kills the worms that are present in the body at that time, but does not protect against a new infestation afterwards. Therefore, a single treatment is not enough, and you should repeat the course on a regular schedule.
How often should you deworm?
How often you deworm depends on your dog's lifestyle. We recommend the following guidelines:
Dogs that rarely visit busy dog areas, have little contact with other dogs and do not eat food off the street, hunt or eat raw meat: four times a year.
Dogs that frequently visit busy places such as woods and parks, have a lot of contact with other dogs, eat food off the street, hunt or eat raw meat: once a month.
Puppies require a more intensive schedule. They should be dewormed at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks of age, and then monthly until they are six months old (at 12, 16, 20 and 24 weeks). From six months onwards, they should switch to the adult dog schedule. Are you sure your dog has worms, or has your dog had fleas? In that case, it is wise to deworm your dog several times in a row, ten days apart, to ensure that nothing is left behind.
No Worm PRO: tasty tablets
The No Worm PRO deworming tablets are suitable for dogs of all ages and almost all breeds. They are tasty mini-tablets that are easy to give: about 90 percent of dogs will take the tablet straight from your hand. If that does not work, you can mix it into their food, hide it in a treat or knead it into a piece of Easypill. The product is effective against all worm species found in the Netherlands and is available in two versions, for puppies and small dogs and for larger dogs, in packs of 2 or 4 tablets. It is best to give the tablets with or after food.
Take care with certain breeds
Due to the active ingredients milbemycin oxime and praziquantel, No Worm advises careful dosing for a number of breeds. These include the Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie), long-haired Whippet, Australian Cattle Dog, Border Collie, Australian Shepherd, Silken Windhound, McNab dog, white (German) Shepherd and White Swiss Shepherd. For these breeds, you can also use a different deworming product, such as No Worm Paste. Not sure? Ask us for advice before you start.
Travelling with your dog
Is your dog coming with you on holiday? In some parts of Europe, such as the area around the Mediterranean, heartworm is found. This type of worm is dangerous and requires a different, stronger product and a different frequency. Therefore, check well before you leave whether heartworm is found at your destination and always consult a veterinarian or your pet shop.
Frequently asked questions about deworming
How often should I deworm my dog?
For a dog with a quiet lifestyle, we recommend four times a year. If your dog frequently visits busy dog areas, eats food off the street, hunts or eats raw meat, once a month is better. Puppies follow a more intensive schedule until they are six months old.
Does No Worm work preventively?
No. No Worm PRO is curative: it kills the worms that are present at that time, but does not prevent a new infestation. Therefore, you should repeat the treatment on a regular schedule instead of deworming only once.
My dog does not want to take the tablet, what now?
About 90 percent of dogs will take the tasty mini-tablets straight from your hand. If that does not work with your dog, you can mix the tablet into their food, hide it in a treat or knead it into a piece of Easypill. Easypill is a kneadable substance that most dogs love, so your dog will not notice the tablet.
Is No Worm suitable for my breed?
No Worm PRO is suitable for almost all breeds. For a number of breeds, including the Border Collie, Australian Shepherd and white Shepherds, the manufacturer advises careful dosing due to the active ingredients. For these breeds, you can choose an alternative such as No Worm Paste. Feel free to ask us for advice.
Are worms dangerous to humans?
Worms are zoonotic, which means they can be transmitted between animals and humans. The infection spreads easily through faeces or an infected prey animal. Regular deworming therefore protects not only your dog, but also your family.
Questions about deworming?
Not sure about the right product or schedule for your dog? View the No Worm PRO deworming tablets or visit Het Vachtje. We are happy to help you find the right solution.
Pet Shop & Dog Boutique Het Vachtje
Haarlemmerdijk 97-105, Amsterdam
020 341 3363