If you’ve ever witnessed your doggo rubbing their butt along the carpet (definitely less than ideal) then you’re well aware that dealing with worms is an unfortunate but necessary part of dog ownership. While chemical treatments are available for treating intestinal worms in dogs, there are a range of alternative natural remedies for dealing with these pesky parasites. Natural solutions are ideal for dogs with sensitivities or allergies and can also be useful as a preventative measure to avoid worms making their home inside your friendly pooch.

Dewormer for dogs

There are many tried and true home remedies for intestinal worms in dogs which can be easily incorporated into your regular feeding regime. While dog dewormer tablets (such as the kind that you buy at the vet) can be a necessary step for dealing with severe worm infestations, natural solutions for worms in dogs are useful for both treatment and prevention. Conventional deworming drugs can occasionally carry some nasty side effects including nausea, diarrhea and vomiting, so natural dewormers are a much gentler choice.

What are the symptoms of dog worms?

If your doggo is performing the early mentioned bum sliding along the ground routine then you can almost guarantee you’ve got a case of worms on your hands, while the presentation of worms in the faeces is also a sure sign. Other accompanying symptoms include a poor or dull appearance of the coat, blood in the stool (either bright red or darker purple), deficiencies in nutrition and anaemia, dehydration, lethargy or intestinal blockages.

What is the best natural worm treatment for dogs?

The best solution for dealing with worms in dogs lies in their food – a healthy diet helps to build a strong immune system which can attack and destroy worms on its own. Fermented vegetables, pumpkin seeds, black cumin seeds, thyme, parsley, bone broth and fresh garlic are all said to assist with both the prevention and treatment of worms by boosting overall health and wellbeing. Apple cider vinegar is also a useful natural remedy for treating worms, which works by making the digestive system more alkaline, which parasites don’t like. While these are all useful in treating worms, feeding your dog fur is perhaps the best way to expel intestinal worms from the digestive system.

Animal fur dewormer for dogs

Feeding animal fur products to dogs has a range of benefits for the digestive system and is part of a complete, natural diet for dogs. We discussed feeding animal fur in a previous article ‘Hairy scary furry bits – animal fur dog treats and digestive health’;

One of the major benefits of fur dog treats is that they act as a natural de-wormer for dogs – goodbye smelly chemical treatments, the nutritious natural alternative is here! As your dog chews and consumes fur, the hair sweeps the digestive tract. Along the way, the pesky worms get trapped in the hair and leave the body in your dog’s faeces (you know, out the other end . . . Poo poo caca)! This might mean some weird bits in your doggo’s do-dos, but we can assure you it’s perfectly natural!

The process might sound a bit unpleasant to us hoomans, but your new worm free doggo will be happier than ever and will have enjoyed a delicious snack in the process. A serving of cow’s ear or rabbit can help to remove a range of parasites and dog worms including the main types of worms that commonly affect domestic dogs – roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms and whipworms.

How much fur should you feed your dog?

To keep on top of worms fur treats can be added to meals daily or served on their own a few times a week. For smaller dogs we recommend cutting the treats into smaller pieces until you are able to gauge how quickly your doggo likes to eat them (we all know a scoffer) . . .

We recommend feeding at least two hairy bits per week for optimum digestive health of your doggo. For variety, consider alternating between cow’s ear and rabbit products – the cow’s ear fur is a little more coarse and offers a great digestive cleanse, while the rabbit hair is a little softer and is jam-packed full of additional nutritional benefits including healthy fats and essential vitamins.

In addition, fur treats can be divided into smaller pieces and added to your dog’s daily raw meat meal for optimum benefits and consistent cleansing of the digestive system.

Read the full article on dog treats with fur for dogs.

How to feed other natural worm treatments for dogs

The other natural treatments mentioned above are also very useful for addressing worms in dogs as an alternative to chemical worm treatments. See our feeding advice below – but note that it is recommended to try one of these remedies at a time rather than combining them together, which may lead to adverse side effects.

Fermented vegetables for dog worms

Great for gut health and immunity in dogs, just the same as humans, start slowly with fermented veggies and work up to 1 to 3 tsp per day per 10kg of body weight.

Pumpkin Seeds Dewormer

Pumpkin seeds contain an amino acid called cucurbitin which paralyses worms and eliminates them from your dog’s digestive tract. When feeding your dog pumpkin seeds, use raw organic seeds and give ¼ tsp per 5kg of weight once or twice a day until the symptoms of worm infestation are gone. 

Black Cumin Seed Worm Treatment

For the treatment of worms in dogs give your dog ½ teaspoon to one teaspoon of black cumin seeds daily in their food. If your dog doesn’t like the taste you can heat the seeds in a pan to remove the bitterness.

Grated Vegetables

Add at least 1 teaspoon of grated fruits and vegetables for every 5kg of body weight to your dog’s meals twice a day. Veggies in your dog’s diet can also provide a much-needed source of fibre as well as other nutrients. Feeding fruit and vegetables will make your dog’s digestive tract less welcoming for parasites and also works by boosting your dog’s immune system to help him fight off the worms.

Good choices include carrots, cucumber, watercress, most green vegetables, squash and fennel. Pineapple is also a good choice, being high in bromelain (an enzyme that digests proteins). Pomegranate is useful for fighting off tapeworms and compounds in pomegranate help expel worms from the digestive tract.

Garlic for Worms

Garlic is another natural dewormer for dogs when fed in moderate amounts and is a great alternative to conventional dewormers. Feed garlic by chopping raw organic garlic then letting it sit for 10 to 15 minutes before feeding to your dog. This process helps release the beneficial compounds that fight off worms. Feed between ¼ (small dogs) and one full clove (giant breeds) a day depending on your dog’s size. Note: it is not recommended to use garlic as a natural worm remedy for pregnant or lactating dogs or if your dog is on blood thinning medication.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has many health benefits for dogs. Use raw, organic, unfiltered vinegar and give ¼ to 1 teaspoon per day in your dog’s water or food.

Thyme

Thyme is a natural worm remedy for dogs and is especially useful for hookworms. Use fresh or dried thyme, feeding up to one teaspoon of leaves per day. Note: it is important to avoid thyme tincture or thyme essential oil which can be toxic.

Parsley

You can also use parsley as a simple natural dewormer for dogs. Cook fresh parsley down and strain out the solids, then freeze the liquid into ice cubes. Feed one cube daily in your dog’s meals.

Bone Broth

Like apple cider vinegar, bone broth is great for promoting optimum overall health in dogs. Bone broth aids digestive health in particular, which boosts the immune system and allows it to fight and kill worms. Add a few tablespoons to your dog’s food or feed as a separate snack.

Worm infestations and veterinary treatment

The idea of worms living in your dog is definitely unpleasant, but they can also become a serious matter for your dog’s health if left untreated. If your dog experiences a raised temperature, persistent vomiting, severe diarrhea or a sustained loss of appetite an emergency trip to the vet is most certainly required.