How do you get rid of worms in a dog without going to the vet?
Rachel Ellis
Published Jan 21, 2026
Natural Ways to Treat Worms
How can I deworm my dog at home?
Veggies like carrots, beetroot, banana, apple, coconut, and papaya are rich in fiber and act as natural dewormers. Healthy dog treats with the goodness of such fruits and vegetables are extremely beneficial for their diet. Adding it to your dog's regular diet will keep them healthy and worm-free.
How do you get rid of worms in dogs fast?
Pumpkin seeds are an extremely effective deworming agent because they contain an amino acid called cucurbitacin. This paralyzes the worms making them easily eliminated from the intestine. They can be fed whole as a treat or you can grind them into a fine powder and add to Fido's food.
Can I deworm my dog myself?
A. You need a veterinarian's help in diagnosing not only if your dog does indeed have intestinal worms but also exactly what kind of parasites they are. Without that knowledge, it's impossible to choose the correct medication to treat the pests.
What are the home remedies for deworming?
Coconut is the most effective home remedy to treat intestinal worms. Consume a tbsp of crushed coconut in your breakfast. After 3 hours, drink about one glass of lukewarm milk mixed with 2 tbsps of castor oil. Drink this for a week to get rid of all types of intestinal worms.
28 related questions foundCan Apple cider vinegar get rid of worms?
Although apple cider vinegar does not kill internal parasites, it acts as a mild disinfectant for killing germs on household surfaces, fruits and vegetables. It does not, however, kill as many germs as common household cleaners.
What poop looks like when you have worms?
Sometimes the worms are visible in the anal area, underwear, or in the toilet. In stools, the worms look like small pieces of white cotton thread. Because of their size and white color, pinworms are difficult to see.
Does over-the-counter dewormer work?
And unless you know what type of parasite you're dealing with, you can't accurately medicate an animal for it. There are certain types of dewormers for certain types of worms. That is why I think over the counter worm medications don't work for everyone all of the time.
Can I get dewormer at PetSmart?
PetSmart customers can place prescription orders through The Pharmacy website, as long as they are active prescriptions that have been prescribed by a vet in the last 12 months. Prescriptions from a licensed veterinarian are required to purchase dewormer medication from The Pharmacy at PetSmart.
What happens if I don't deworm my dog?
Weakness – this can also be a sign of other problems, as well as a sign of a large worm infestation. Weight loss – again, this can be a sign of a multitude of different problems, but also a sign of a large worm infestation. Worms steal nutrition from the host, which can lead to weight loss in your pet.
How does apple cider vinegar get rid of worms in dogs?
You can incorporate 1/4 to 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in your pet's drinking water or meals once a day—1/4 teaspoon for puppies, kittens, or small breeds of dogs and cats, and 1 teaspoon for larger breeds. You may do this every day to aid in worm eradication and prevention.
What are white worms in dog poop?
A tapeworm body consists of multiple parts, or segments, each with its own reproductive organs. Tapeworm infections are usually diagnosed by finding segments—which appear as small white worms that may look like grains of rice or seeds—on the rear end of your dog, in your dog's feces, or where your dog lives and sleeps.
How long does it take to get rid of worms in dogs?
It takes approximately four weeks for roundworms to be treated with dewormer. The infective larvae and eggs can survive in your dog for a long time time and are particularly resistant to changes in conditions in the body.
What does a dog look like with worms?
A bloated belly or generally “unhealthy” appearance. A dull, dry coat. Excessive scooting and chewing at their bottom. Visible segments that look like grains of rice attached to the fur around their bottom or on their tail (or in their feces)
What is the most effective dewormer for dogs?
For efficacy, convenience, and affordability, Safe-Guard 4 Canine Dewormer is our top pick for the best dewormer for dogs overall. Made with the active ingredient fenbendazole, Safe-Guard 4 Canine Dewormer kills two species each of roundworm and hookworm as well as the most common species of tapeworm and whipworm.
Why does my dog keep getting worms?
Some of the most common ways to contract worms in dogs include: Drinking contaminated milk from the mother during nursing. Rolling in, sniffing, eating, stepping in or licking contaminated soil. Consuming infected prey like rodents, birds, and reptiles.
Can you buy over-the-counter dewormer for dogs?
Regularly administering dog or puppy dewormer medication can help keep your pup happy and healthy. Shop prescription and over-the-counter dog dewormers at petco.com or your neighborhood Petco store. Dog prescription dewormers are fulfilled through Express Scripts Pharmacy at Petco.
Can I buy tapeworm medicine over-the-counter?
Elanco's Tapeworm Dewormer for Dogs and Cats is a simple and effective over-the-counter option for removing tapeworms from your dogs and cats at home. Tapeworms shed segments visible to the naked eye in your pet's stool, fur or bedding, resembling dried rice or sesame seeds.
Can humans get dog worms?
Roundworms do pose a significant risk to humans. Contact with contaminated soil or dog feces can result in human ingestion and infection. Roundworm eggs may accumulate in significant numbers in the soil where pets deposit feces. Once infected, the worms can cause eye, lung, heart and neurologic signs in people.
Can you buy praziquantel over-the-counter?
Praziquantel (Biltricide) for humans requires a prescription and can't be purchased over the counter. If you're worried that you have an infection from blood or liver flukes, please call your provider.
Can you get praziquantel over-the-counter for dogs?
Quad Dewormer (praziquantel/pyrantel pamoate/febantel) for dogs is available over the counter without a prescription and can be found at many pet specialty retailers (both online and in-store).
Can I buy roundworm medicine over-the-counter?
Mebendazole is a type of medicine for treating worms. It is used mainly for infections of the gut such as threadworms (sometimes known as pinworms) and other less common worm infections (whipworm, roundworm and hookworm). You can buy mebendazole from a pharmacy.
How do I know if I got worms from my dog?
An itchy rash at the point of penetration is the most obvious of the symptoms of a hookworm infection. Winding red trails may also be visible as the worm eats a path for itself under the skin. Severe cases may cause diarrhea, and can lead to weight loss and anemia.
Did I poop out a worm?
If your doctor suspects you have pinworms, they may ask you to do a “tape test.” As soon as you wake up in the morning, you'll place a piece of clear tape around your anus, then gently peel it off. Any pinworm eggs will stick to the tape, which your doctor can see under a microscope in a lab.
Do all humans have worms?
Thanks in part to modern plumbing, people in the industrialized world have now lost almost all of their worms, with the exception of occasional pinworms in some children. Intestinal worms are properly called “helminths,” which most dictionaries will tell you are parasites.