The Best Dog Dewormers in 2024
Diarrhea, vomiting, and terrible odors are some of the super “fun” things you can look forward to if your dog has intestinal parasites, commonly referred to as “worms.” Not only will your dog feel miserable with an infestation in their gut, but you will be just as miserable from having to clean up the mess and the constant trips outside in the middle of the night so your pup can go potty again.
There are dozens of different parasites that can be bugging your dog, and while a flotation test at the vet can help narrow it down to a less common parasite if the problem persists, most worms can be treated at home with products readily available at the pet store appropriately called dewormers. With the help of broad-spectrum deworming products, you and your dog can quickly be living a harmonious life once again. More importantly, your dog will be living his healthiest life again.
Our Top 6 List
Last update on 2024-11-26 at 05:48 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. Bayer Quad Chewable Dewormer
Your dog will be thanking you after just a single dose of Bayer’s chewable broad-spectrum Quad Dewormer when he is free of four different worms quickly and efficiently. Dogs as young as 4 weeks old can be easily treated for intestinal parasites with this safe and delicious beef-flavored chewable tablet that has been formulated in the USA and approved by the FDA. This remedy is not only easy to administer as most dogs will take it like a treat, it is also effective for treating parasites in just 1 day.
Takeaways
- Effectively kills and protects against hookworms, tapeworms, whipworms, and roundworms
- Contains the active ingredients praziquantel, pyrantel pamoate, and febantel for efficient deworming
- Approved by the FDA as a non-prescription deworming product for dogs and puppies as young as 3 weeks old
- Available as a tasty beef-flavored chew that dogs love for easy administration
2. Triple Wormer Broad Spectrum Treatment
Don’t let the name confuse you, because Durvet’s Triple Wormer is a fantastic remedy for medium and large dogs. Though this option will not protect your canine companion from whipworms, it otherwise has the same coverage as Bayer’s Quad Dewormer and is effective against twp types of tapeworms, two types of roundworms, and three types of hookworms. This chewable tablet is a favorite of dogs, and it comes in a convenient 12-count box for multi-dog households or dogs who require regular deworming, such as hunting dogs or dogs who swim in lakes often.
Takeaways
- Effective against tapeworms, hookworms, and roundworms
- Available in a convenient 12-pack for dogs needing regular deworming
- Provided in a delicious, flavored chewable tablet for ease of administration
3. Bayer Tapeworm Treatment
With tapeworms being the most common intestinal worm that dogs are prone to picking up, it only makes sense that there would be a Tapeworm solution for dogs crated by Bayer Animal Health. Tapeworms are carried frequently by fleas, so if your pup is an unfortunate victim of those creepy crawlers, there is a very high chance that your dog will also be suffering a tapeworm infestation very soon. These tablets are easily hidden in food with a small amount of crushing, and this prescription-free option works in just a single dose.
Takeaways
- Safe for use in puppies as young as 4 weeks old
- Effective against multiple common species of tapeworms
- Produced by a reputable company as a prescription-free dewormer
4. Safe-Guard Canine Dewormer
Though there is almost instant satisfaction in the many single-dose deworming options available, taking just a few extra days to provide a 3-day course of Safe-Guard’s product will give your dog 6 months of protection against a variety of intestinal parasites. These palatable granules are pre-measured in convenient packets to mix directly into your dog’s food once a day without the difficulties that can sometimes come with trying to administer a pill. Not only is this dewormer safe for puppies as young as 6 weeks old, it is even safe for pregnant females.
Takeaways
- Effectively control infestations of roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, and whipworms
- Provides 6 months of parasite control after 3 days of administration
- Safe for puppies as young as 6 weeks of age, pregnant females, and dogs with heartworm infections (note: this product will not treat heartworms)
5. Sentry WormX Plus 7 Way Worm Buster
This dewormer crafted by Sentry for small dogs is a chewable tablet that can be given once a month if needed, as that is how long it is effective for because it does not contain fenbendazole, but most dog owners report only needing to treat once unless a severe infestation is noted. Whipworms will not be wiped out by this dewormer, so if you have found that to thee culprit of your canine’s discomfort, this is not the choice for you. Similarly, if your dog or puppy weighs less than 6 pounds, this is not an ideal option to use because it will be too strong to be safe for them.
Takeaways
- Effectively kills and protects againsts multiple strains of tapeworms, hookworms, and roundworms
- Can be administered monthly for dogs requiring frequent deworming
- Available as a flavored chew without a prescription in 2-packs, 6-packs, and 12-packs
6. Wowpaw Worm Remedy for Dogs & Cats
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Providing a board-spectrum dewormer with completely natural ingredients, pet parents focused on a holistic approach to their pet’s care may prefer to use Wowpaw’s natural dewormer to control intestinal parasites. This product is available without a prescription as it contains no medications, and despite this it is effective at killing even more species of worms than most board-spectrum medicated dewormers are. This FDA-certified product is made in the USA and comes with a full satisfaction guarantee and a responsive company.
Takeaways
- Effectively kills and controls tapeworms, ascarids, hookworms, whipworms, and strongyloides
- Composed of 100% natural ingredients, created in the USA, and approved by the FDA
- Safe for dogs and cats of all sizes and as young as 6 weeks of age
Verdict & Review
Bayer Quad Chewable Dewormer
Pros
- Kills hookworms, tapeworms, whipworms, and roundworms
- Contains several active ingredients against worms
- Very effective
- Beef-flavored
Cons
- We have encountered no cons.
There is no denying the comfort that comes with using products by a trusted company focused on animal health, and that is what you will get when you choose the Quad Dewormer by Bayer Animal Heath. Founded in 1963, Bayer has been trusted to provide for human and animal health for over 150 years, and using products from a quality company is very important. There are hundreds of deworming products available on the market and not all are equal, meaning that not every product is as effective as advertised, and unfortunately, not every product is as safe as it is marketed.
This broad-spectrum dewormer is effective against the most common intestinal parasites that your dog may face during their lifetime, and a single dose is effective for long-term control, making it a choice that benefits your pup and your wallet. Tapeworms, whipworms, hookworms, and roundworms will be easily evacuated from your dog’s digestive system with this beef-flavored chew.
Buying Guide
What Worms Should You Target?
When puppies are young, it is a good idea to deworm them for a variety of parasites as a preventative measure. The most common worms that puppies pick up from their mother or their environment are tapeworms, roundworms, and hookworms. Selecting a broad-spectrum dewormer that targets these parasites and others is a way to ensure that your puppy is sufficiently protected against an infestation of worms and the illness that can cause.
If your dog is vomiting long, white worms, or you are finding them in your dog’s stool, then you need to select a dewormer that targets roundworms. Dogs who have small, pale things that look like sesame seeds near their rear end or on their beds should be treated for tapeworms, as these are the segments of tapeworms that indicate an infection.
When a general remedy does not resolve your dog’s symptoms, it may warrant a trip to the vet to check for other parasites that are not able to be treated at home, such as giardia or coccidia. Unfortunately, some intestinal parasites must be treated with prescription medication. These are less common than the parasites you are likely to run into, so it is recommended to start with a broad-spectrum dewormer as long as your dog is eating and acting normally.
It is important to note that, though it has “worm” in the name, dewormers do not work to prevent heartworm infections. This parasite is extremely dangerous and has a high fatality rate, so it preventing it with the appropriate medication from your veterinarian is key.
When Should Dogs and Puppies be Dewormed?
Puppies should be dewormed multiple times as a preventative measure, and it is recommended to deworm puppies at 4 weeks, 6 weeks, and 8 weeks old. Dogs should have annual fecal examinations done with their veterinarian to determine if they need to be dewormed as adults when there are no symptoms of intestinal parasites. In the presence of symptoms of a worm infestation, it is recommended to deworm your dog proactively.
Symptoms of intestinal parasites can vary between individual dogs, even when two dogs are suffering from the same type of worm. Ultimately, the symptoms that dogs experience and those that they display stem from two detrimental aspects of having intestinal parasites: malnutrition caused by the worms utilizing all of the food consumed, and increased parasite load caused by the worms being able to multiply in your dog’s digestive system.
Signs you should deworm your dog include:
- Weight loss despite an increased appetite
- Pot-bellied appearance with a rounded abdomen
- Vomiting that may contain visible worms
- Diarrhea or stool with visible worms in it
- Small “sesame seeds” on their fur or where they sleep
- Dull, thinning, or greasy haircoat
Which Deworming Medications are Best?
When deciding which dewormer will be best for your dog, looking at the ingredients is a step that can’t be skipped. Inspecting the ingredients list is the best way to determine if a product will be effective against intestinal worms, and it is vital in saving you from wasting money and your dog from suffering a prolonged infestation. Products that contain the same active ingredients that can be found in prescription dewormers will provide more efficient parasite management.
Praziquantel is one of the best treatments found in prescription products and is effective against tapeworms and other parasites. Its efficiency against parasite infestations comes from its targeting of newly-hatched larvae which results in the worms not being able to reproduce and multiply in the GI tract. It can also be used to treat certain blood worms and liver worms when prescribed by a veterinarian at an appropriate dose.
Roundworms, hookworms, and pinworms are treated with pyrantel pamoate, an antiparasitic medication found in many over-the-counter as well as prescription remedies. This medication causes a paralysis of the worm that causes it to lose its painful grip on the lining of the intestines, allowing the worms to then pass out of the digestive system quickly. Pyrantel is poorly absorbed by the lining of the digestive system, making it safe to use in animals.
We are the Pet Dog Pals, a group of avid pet owners, bloggers, product testers, and writers for all your canine needs! We own a collective 16 dogs and 21 cats to help us test and review pet products. Our top lists and tips come from experience to help you be the best dog owner you can be!