Can You Over Worm a Puppy? What Every Pet Parent Needs to Know

Let’s face it – nobody likes talking about worms. They’re icky gross, and thinking about them living inside your adorable furball is enough to make anyone’s skin crawl. But as a responsible puppy parent you gotta deal with these parasites. The big question that’s probably on your mind can you over worm a puppy?

The short answer is yes, you absolutely can over-worm your puppy and it’s not a good idea. But there’s way more to this story that you need to understand to keep your pup healthy and worm-free.

The Truth About Over-Worming Your Puppy

I’ve seen countless new puppy owners panic about worms and go overboard with treatments. Look, I get it – you want those nasty parasites gone ASAP! But here’s what happens when you worm your puppy too frequently:

• Medication tolerance buildup: Your puppy might develop resistance to the dewormer, making future treatments less effective
• Unnecessary medication exposure: All medications come with potential side effects
• Waste of money: Why spend on treatments your puppy doesn’t need?

According to veterinary experts, over-worming your dog has no obvious benefit and can actually backfire. The goal is to follow a proper schedule – not to bombard your puppy with unnecessary medications.

The Correct Puppy Deworming Schedule

So if over-worming is bad, what’s the right schedule? Let me break it down for you in simple terms:

This schedule might seem intense at first (especially those early weeks!), but there’s a good reason. Puppies often inherit worms from their mothers, either through the placenta before birth or via nursing. Their immune systems are still developing, making them more susceptible to these parasites.

Signs Your Puppy Might Have Worms

How do you know if your puppy needs deworming? Well, sometimes you can’t tell just by looking, and that’s why sticking to the schedule is important. But here are some common symptoms:

• Diarrhea (sometimes with blood or mucus)
• Vomiting
• Weight loss despite good appetite
• Weakness and lethargy
• Stunted growth
• Dull coat
• Pot-bellied appearance
• Visible worms in poop (yuck!)
• Coughing (in severe roundworm cases)

If you notice any of these signs, don’t panic and start over-worming your puppy! Instead, take a stool sample to your vet for proper diagnosis.

Types of Worms That Commonly Affect Puppies

There are four main parasites that require a deworming schedule:

1. Roundworms

These nasty buggers grow 4-6 inches long and can transfer to puppies before birth or through mother’s milk. Without treatment, roundworms can stunt your puppy’s growth and potentially infect humans too (double yuck!).

2. Tapeworms

These can reach up to 11 inches (almost a foot!) and typically infect dogs when they accidentally eat fleas. You might spot tapeworm segments in your puppy’s poop or around their bottom – they look like little pieces of rice or flat tape.

3. Whipworms

Though tiny (only about 1/4-inch), whipworms can cause serious infection. The tricky part? Often there are no symptoms until the infection is severe. These persistent parasites can survive in soil for up to five years!

4. Hookworms

These are particularly dangerous for puppies. They attach to the intestinal wall and feed on your puppy’s blood, potentially causing severe anemia. A single hookworm can drain up to 0.1mL of blood – which might not sound like much, but for a tiny puppy, it’s significant.

How to Properly Deworm Your Puppy

Now that you know you shouldn’t over-worm your puppy, let’s talk about how to do it right:

1. Consult your vet first: Don’t just buy over-the-counter dewormers. Your vet will examine your puppy’s poop to identify exactly what kind of worms are present and prescribe the right medication.

2. Choose the right dewormer: There are several types:

   • Tablets: Usually flavored to make them tasty for puppies
   • Pastes: Good for administering small doses to puppies
   • Granular powders: Can be sprinkled on food
   • Liquids: Suitable for puppies up to one year old

3. Administer it correctly: Many dewormers can be hidden in food. Try putting the medicine in:

   • Slices of ham
   • Cooked chicken balls
   • Cheese cubes with a hole cut in the center
   • A blob of xylitol-free peanut butter

4. Time it right: Give the dewormer around normal mealtime after your puppy has eaten to minimize stomach upset.

What Happens After Deworming?

After deworming, you might see dead worms in your puppy’s poop for 2-3 days (sometimes up to a week). This is totally normal! Sometimes the worms might still be moving slightly, but they’re dying.

Your puppy might also experience some diarrhea after treatment. If your puppy had a lot of worms, they might even become a bit ill as all those parasites die at once, causing intestinal inflammation. This usually resolves on its own in a couple of days.

Remember that dewormers only kill parasites present at the time of treatment – they don’t prevent future infections. That’s why following the regular schedule is important.

Are Worms Dangerous for Humans?

Here’s something that might make you take puppy worming even more seriously: some dog worms can infect humans too, especially children.

The common roundworm Toxocara canis can cause an infection called Toxocariasis in humans. While adults usually handle it okay, it can have serious consequences for kids, including risk of seizures or blindness. Yikes!

To protect your family:

• Worm your puppy regularly
• Clean up poop promptly
• Wash your hands thoroughly after handling poop
• Wash your puppy’s bedding regularly
• Teach children to wash hands frequently
• Keep puppies out of children’s sandpits
• Discourage face-licking (I know those puppy kisses are cute, but still…)

The Cost of Deworming

If you’re worried about expenses, here’s what you might expect to pay:

• Basic vet visit: $50-$75
• Fecal exam and dewormer: $50-$150
• Hospitalization (if needed): $500-$1,500

Pet insurance can help cover these costs, and some plans include deworming. Many companies also offer wellness plans to help with preventive care expenses.

Bottom Line: Finding the Balance

So, can you over-worm a puppy? Absolutely. Is regular deworming essential? Also yes.

The key is finding the right balance by following your vet’s recommended schedule. Don’t panic and over-medicate, but don’t skip treatments either. Those little parasites are stubborn, and proper treatment is needed to keep your puppy healthy and thriving.

Remember, worming is just one part of being a great puppy parent. With the right approach, your furry friend will be healthy, happy, and worm-free in no time!

Have you had any experiences with deworming your puppy? Any tricks for getting them to take their medicine? I’d love to hear your stories in the comments!