Dogs are curious animals, and they encounter much of the world with their noses and mouths. Unfortunately, this means intestinal worms are a common and constant threat. If you’ve discovered evidence of worms in your dog, using a deworming treatment can quickly and effectively address the problem.
Many options are available to help you treat and control worms in your dog; the most common are tablets and spot-on treatments. Once you’ve found the right product for your dog, administering the treatment is usually straightforward. But what happens after you’ve treated your dog for worms? Here’s what to expect in the first hours and days after deworming.
Have you ever wormed your furry friend only to discover they still have those pesky parasites? I’ve been there, and it’s super frustrating! Many dog owners are surprised to learn that yes, a dog can absolutely still get worms after being wormed In fact, it happens more often than you might think
As a dog owner for over 15 years, I’ve dealt with this issue multiple times with my own pups. Today, I’m gonna break down everything you need to know about why your dog might still have worms despite your best efforts, and what you can actually do about it
Why Your Dog Might Still Have Worms After Treatment
There are several reasons why your pooch might still be dealing with worms even after you’ve given them a wormer Let’s dive into the most common causes
1. Wormers Kill Existing Worms But Don’t Prevent New Infestations
This is probably the biggest misunderstanding among dog owners. Unlike flea treatments that offer ongoing protection, most dog wormers are designed to kill adult worms already inside your pet at the time of treatment. They typically don’t prevent new infections or stop worm eggs and larvae your dog encounters from developing into adults.
This means your dog could literally pick up new worms within days of being wormed! The regular worming schedule we’re advised to follow is actually designed to give repeated doses that tackle new worms before they cause serious infestations.
2. Not All Wormers Are Created Equal
The quality and effectiveness of worming products vary significantly. Those cheap over-the-counter products you might grab at the supermarket can be way less reliable than vet-recommended treatments.
I learned this the hard way when I kept using a budget wormer for my Lab, only to have recurring infestations. When I finally switched to my vet’s recommended product, the problem was solved much more effectively.
3. Dosage Matters A Lot
Using the wrong dosage is a common issue that can lead to treatment failure. The correct amount depends on your dog’s weight and size:
- Too little: Won’t fully clear the worms
- Too much: Can cause vomiting or diarrhea, reducing effectiveness
I once accidentally underdosed my smaller dog because I eyeballed the measurement instead of using the proper weight calculation. Big mistake!
4. Wrong Wormer for the Type of Worm
Did you know there are several different types of worms that can infect dogs? The main ones include:
- Roundworms
- Tapeworms
- Hookworms
- Whipworms
Not all wormers target all types of worms! If your dog has hookworms but you’re only using a product effective against roundworms and tapeworms, the infestation will continue.
5. Medication Not Fully Absorbed
Sometimes dogs vomit or develop diarrhea after worming. When this happens, the medication might not be fully absorbed into their system, making the treatment less effective.
My older dog used to get sick almost every time I wormed him until my vet suggested a different formulation that was gentler on his stomach.
6. Environmental Exposure and Reinfection
Your dog’s environment plays a huge role in worm infestations. Common sources of reinfection include:
Other Infected Dogs
If your dog regularly visits dog parks, walking paths, or doggie daycare, they’re constantly exposed to areas where other dogs might have left worm eggs or larvae in their feces or contaminated the soil.
Wildlife Encounters
Wildlife such as rodents, foxes, and squirrels often carry worm infections. Dogs who like to hunt or scavenge are at high risk. My hunting breed is particularly prone to this – he’s always trying to eat something disgusting when we’re out walking!
Contaminated Ground
Some worms, like hookworms, can actually penetrate through your dog’s paws from contaminated soil. Areas where other dogs frequently defecate and feces aren’t cleaned up promptly are particularly risky.
Signs Your Dog Might Still Have Worms
How do you know if your dog still has worms after treatment? Look for these common symptoms:
- Visible worms in their poop (yuck, but important to check!)
- Scooting their butt across the floor
- Vomiting (sometimes with visible worms)
- Diarrhea or changes in stool
- Bloated belly (especially common in puppies)
- Weight loss despite normal appetite
- Dull coat
- Lethargy or weakness
If you notice any of these signs after worming, it’s time to consult your vet.
How Often Should You Actually Worm Your Dog?
The frequency of worming depends on your dog’s lifestyle and risk factors. Here’s a general guideline:
| Dog Type | Recommended Worming Frequency |
|---|---|
| Puppies | Every 2 weeks until 12 weeks, then monthly until 6 months |
| Adult dogs (low risk) | Every 3 months |
| Adult dogs (high risk)* | Monthly or as advised by vet |
| Pregnant dogs | Consult vet for specific schedule |
*High-risk dogs include those who hunt, scavenge, or are regularly exposed to multiple other dogs.
Remember, these are just guidelines. Your vet might recommend a different schedule based on your specific situation and local parasite risks.
7 Effective Strategies to Prevent Reinfection
Now that we understand why dogs can still get worms after treatment, here are some practical steps to reduce the risk of reinfection:
-
Use quality, vet-recommended wormers
Talk to your vet about the most effective products for your area and your dog’s specific needs. -
Ensure correct dosing
Weigh your dog regularly and follow the dosing instructions precisely. -
Pick up poop promptly
Don’t leave dog waste in your yard or public spaces where it can contaminate the environment. -
Reduce scavenging opportunities
Consider using a basket muzzle during walks if your dog is prone to eating things they shouldn’t. -
Regular fecal testing
Ask your vet about periodic fecal tests to identify specific worm types and tailor treatment. -
Good hygiene practices
Wash your hands after handling your dog and before eating, and teach children to do the same. -
Consider environmental treatments
In severe cases, discuss with your vet about treating your yard or home environment.
My Personal Experience
We had a frustrating situation with our rescue dog, Bella, who seemed to constantly have worms despite regular treatment. After several vet visits and fecal tests, we discovered she had a type of tapeworm that wasn’t responsive to the general wormer we were using.
We switched to a prescription product specifically targeting that parasite type, increased our treatment frequency temporarily, and were much more vigilant about preventing her from scavenging during walks. It took about three months of consistent effort, but we finally got the problem under control.
When to Worry and See Your Vet
While occasional reinfection is common, there are times when you should definitely consult your veterinarian:
- Worms persist after multiple proper treatments
- Your dog is losing weight or seems unwell
- You notice blood in your dog’s stool
- Your dog is vomiting frequently
- Puppies, elderly dogs, or dogs with other health issues have worms
Your vet might recommend:
- Fecal testing to identify the specific worm type
- A different worming product
- A more aggressive treatment schedule
- Testing for underlying health issues that might make your dog more susceptible
Yes, dogs can absolutely still get worms after being wormed, and it’s not necessarily because you’re doing anything wrong as an owner. Between the limitations of worming products and dogs’ natural behaviors that expose them to parasites, reinfection is a common issue many of us face.
The key is understanding that worming is not a one-and-done solution but an ongoing part of responsible pet care. With the right products, correct dosing, and good environmental management, you can significantly reduce your dog’s risk of worm infestations.
Remember that different dogs have different risk levels based on their age, lifestyle, and environment. Work closely with your vet to develop a parasite control plan that’s tailored to your specific furry friend.
Have you dealt with recurring worm problems in your dog? What strategies worked best for you? I’d love to hear your experiences!
The First Few Hours after a Deworming Treatment
It’s a good idea to deworm your pet at home where they are comfortable. If possible, choose a quiet weekend so your pet is calm and relaxed — not stressed or excited by a lot of commotion — and so you will have time to monitor your dog after administering the deworming treatment.
Deworming your dog is a relatively simple process, much like giving your pet a treat. In fact, if you use a tablet-based deworming treatment, it can be helpful to hide the pill in a treat like cheese, peanut butter, turkey or wet food to help make sure your dog completely swallows the tablet. Some tablets are already flavored to taste like a treat to your pet, so they may not need to be hidden in food. However, some dogs may try to spit out a tablet immediately or even several minutes after you give it to them — even if it’s flavored — so disguising the pill as a treat can make the process easier for you and your dog.
As with any oral medication, dogs can occasionally vomit shortly after taking the dose. If your pet is a puppy or has a habit of eating food or drinking water too quickly and getting sick, monitor them for vomiting for two to three hours after administering the deworming tablet.
If your dog vomits the tablet whole, wait a little bit for them to calm down and then re-administer the pill. If the tablet is partially digested or not visible at all, contact your veterinarian to get a new dose. If your dog hates pills and knows all your tricks, there are also topical deworming products available.
Regardless of what kind of deworming product you use, the treatment will typically begin working within a few hours and your dog will most likely behave as normal.
The Deworming Process after a Few Days
Depending on what kind of worms your dog has, you may or may not see worms in their stool in the days following a deworming treatment. Most deworming products treat roundworms, hookworms and whipworms by paralyzing and killing the parasites; tapeworms are killed and broken up into smaller segments. Some intestinal worms, like hookworms and whipworms, are so small that you won’t see any worms in your dog’s stool at all.
You may be surprised to still see live worms in your dog’s feces after deworming them, but this is normal. While this can be an unpleasant , it’s actually a good thing — it means the worms are no longer living inside your dog! Additionally, you may see dead worms in your dog’s stool for a few days following treatment, or your dog may have diarrhea as they digest the dead worms. Most of the time, regardless of what you see in their stool, recently dewormed dogs behave like normal.
Puppies and other dogs may require repeat deworming treatments a few weeks after their initial treatment. This is often based on the type of worm and product used. For questions about a deworming schedule for your dog, speak to your veterinarian.
Canine Diseases & Treatment : How to Tell If a Dog Has Worms
FAQ
Why does my dog still have worms after being dewormed?
Can dogs get worms even if they are wormed?
How long after worming a dog do the worms come out?
After a deworming treatment, adult worms are killed within 24-48 hours, but it’s normal for dead worms or segments to be visible in stool for up to a week. However, worms may not be completely gone, as the dewormer may only target adult stages, not eggs or larvae. A veterinarian often recommends a follow-up treatment two to three weeks later to eliminate newly matured parasites, which can clear the infection over a few weeks and ensure the dog is no longer shedding eggs.
How to know if a dog dewormer worked?