How to Deworm a Puppy

Co-authored by Ray Spragley, DVM

Last Updated: January 29, 2024 References

Puppies are very susceptible to worms, which they can contract from their mother during pregnancy, birth, or nursing.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Ray Spragley, DVM
Veterinarian

Expert Interview. 29 June 2021.} They can also contract worms from contaminated soil, feces, food, and water. It’s important to deworm the pup as soon as it reaches 2 or 3 weeks of age and then on a regular deworming schedule.^{[2]
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Research source} Worms are treated by medication, which can be given to the puppy in either a liquid or pill form.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Consulting a Vet

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1
Take your puppy to a veterinarian. As soon as you’ve adopted a new puppy, take it to the vet for a health check-up. Your vet will be able to inspect the puppy and its stool and let you know if the pup has worms.^{[3]
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- In most cases, a visit to the vet to treat your puppy can cost around $75-$100 USD.
2
Bring a fresh stool sample to the veterinarian. The vet will be able to detect worms in a dog’s stool. Collect a sample in a sealed plastic bag, and bring it with you to the vet appointment.^{[4]
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- Even if you cannot see visible worms (which can appear as spaghetti-like, hair-like, or as round, segmented worms, depending on the species) in the stool, they may still be present. Some species of worms are microscopic.
- Making a trip to the vet's office can be an easy way to get rid of your puppy’s worms. If the vet can visually identify worms in your puppy’s stool, they may start deworming treatment on the spot by administering an oral medication to your puppy.
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3
Purchase deworming medication. Many veterinary offices will sell deworming medication in the front office, which will save you a separate trip to a pet store. Talk to the vet about whether or not you'll need a prescription, or if you should use an over-the-counter option.^{[5]
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Research source} Deworming medication will be sold at all pet shops and many large home-supply stores. The medication comes in both liquid and chewable forms.
- Your vet may ask that you bring the puppy in for a visit before they'll give you a prescription.
- Different worms require different types of medication for proper treatment. Ask your vet which brand and type of medication your puppy needs.
- Most over-the-counter forms of deworming medication treat a variety of worms such as tapeworm, roundworm, gut worms, and hookworm.
- At most pet shops or retail stores, this medication is sold for around $35 USD.

Part 2

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Selecting a Deworming Medication

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Some dewormers can have harsher side effects than others, such as diarrhea. Talk to your vet about which options are available to you. They likely have certain deworming medications that they prefer and can recommend for your puppy.^{[6]
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Choose a dewormer that kills the kind of worm your dog has. Most dewormers are only effective against certain worms. If you give the wrong kind to your dog, it may be ineffective against the parasite that's infected your dog. Make sure that you've identified the worm before you choose a dewormer.
- You can identify the worm by either looking at it yourself to see what kind of worm it is or by consulting the vet. It's always best to talk to your vet.^{[7]
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- There are products available on the market that you can apply to your puppy's neck each month to control for multiple parasites, including worms. For example, Revolution and Advocate can both be used monthly to fight parasites. Talk to your vet about using these medications on your puppy.^{[8]
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Some dewormers aren't formulated for use on puppies and can be dangerous for your pet. The label should explicitly say it's okay to use it on a puppy. Otherwise, select a different product.

Part 3

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Giving Your Puppy Deworming Medication

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It's best to weigh the puppy immediately before giving it the medication, since puppies are still growing. Once you have an accurate weight, consult the dosage chart on the medication. It's very important that the dog receive enough medicine to treat the worms, but it should never receive too much medication.
2
Fill a syringe with the prescribed amount of medication. If you must fill your own syringe, dip the top into the liquid medication and pull the plunger back to fill the vial with liquid. Fill it to the amount prescribed by your vet or suggested on the packaging.
- If you’re giving the puppy a pill, or if the syringes come pre-filled in the packaging, you can skip this step.
- Check to see if the medication should be given on a full or an empty stomach. For the medication to be effective, you need to follow these guidelines.
3
Get the pup’s attention. Snap your fingers, wave a toy in front of the pup’s face, or hold a treat in front of its nose to get the puppy focused on one of your hands.^{[9]
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Research source} Puppies are highly distractible, so once you have its attention, move quickly to give the pup its deworming medication.
- You may find it easiest to give the dog medication while it’s sitting on your lap. You’ll be able to hold it in one place using one arm, and use the free hand to get the dog’s attention and put the medication in its mouth.
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Open the pup’s mouth with your free hand. Use the fingers on 1 hand to gently open the puppy’s mouth. Slip your fingers in between the puppy’s lips at the front of its mouth, and exert steady pressure to open its jaws.^{[10]
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- This should be relatively easy with the puppy distracted.
5
Place the medication into the pup’s mouth. Once the puppy’s mouth is open, you can place the medication inside. If you’re giving the pup liquid medication via syringe, stick the tip of the syringe at least 2 inches (5.1 cm) inside of the puppy’s mouth, and dispense the liquid. The puppy should swallow it down quickly.^{[11]
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- If you’re giving the puppy a medicated pill, set it back about 3 inches (7.6 cm) in the dog’s mouth, so that it will swallow the pill and not spit it back up.
6
Give your puppy doses of medication on a schedule suggested by the vet. Deworming medications are most effective if given to a pup several times.^{[12]
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Expert Source

Ray Spragley, DVM
Veterinarian

Expert Interview. 29 June 2021.} The number and frequency of dosages will differ based on the brand and type of medication the pup has been prescribed.
- Although they are effective after a single dose, they have no residual effect. This means the puppy needs more dewormer to kill each generation of worm as they hatch.
- For example, a typical dosage schedule involves medicating your puppy for 1–3 days in a row, and then giving the dog another 1–3 dosages 2 or 3 weeks later.
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Bring a final stool sample to your veterinarian. Once the course of deworming treatment has ended, collect another stool sample from your puppy. Bring this sample to the vet and ask them to check it for worms.^{[13]
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Research source}^{[14]
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Expert Source

Ray Spragley, DVM
Veterinarian

Expert Interview. 29 June 2021.}
- Your vet will examine this stool sample and be able to confirm that your puppy is free of worms.

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When should puppies be wormed for the first time?

Ray Spragley, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr. Ray Spragley is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and the Owner/Founder of Zen Dog Veterinary Care PLLC in New York. With experience in multiple institutions and private practices, Dr. Spragley’s specializations and interests include non-surgical management of cranial cruciate ligament tears, Intervertebral Disk Disease(IVDD), and pain management in osteoarthritis. Dr. Spragley holds a BS in Biology from SUNY Albany and has a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (DVM) from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. He is also a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT) through the Canine Rehab Institute as well as a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA) through Chi University.

Ray Spragley, DVM

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

The first deworming should be done when your puppy is about 3 weeks old, which kills off any adult worms. Then, give the second dose a few weeks later, which kills off any leftover.

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How do I know if my puppy got rid of worms?

Ray Spragley, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr. Ray Spragley is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and the Owner/Founder of Zen Dog Veterinary Care PLLC in New York. With experience in multiple institutions and private practices, Dr. Spragley’s specializations and interests include non-surgical management of cranial cruciate ligament tears, Intervertebral Disk Disease(IVDD), and pain management in osteoarthritis. Dr. Spragley holds a BS in Biology from SUNY Albany and has a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (DVM) from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. He is also a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT) through the Canine Rehab Institute as well as a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA) through Chi University.

Ray Spragley, DVM

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Bring a fecal sample to your vet, so they can make sure that no worms are present.

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Question

How do you get worms from puppies?

Ray Spragley, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr. Ray Spragley is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and the Owner/Founder of Zen Dog Veterinary Care PLLC in New York. With experience in multiple institutions and private practices, Dr. Spragley’s specializations and interests include non-surgical management of cranial cruciate ligament tears, Intervertebral Disk Disease(IVDD), and pain management in osteoarthritis. Dr. Spragley holds a BS in Biology from SUNY Albany and has a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (DVM) from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. He is also a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT) through the Canine Rehab Institute as well as a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA) through Chi University.

Ray Spragley, DVM

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Many intestinal parasites that puppies get are actually zoonotic, meaning they can be passed from your puppy to anyone living in your household.

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Tips

To prevent your puppy from getting worms, make sure to clean your yard regularly, and wash your puppy’s bedding. If your puppy does get worms, make sure to wash your hands, and have your puppy sleep on its own bed until it is free from those pesky parasites!

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