When do puppies need worming? A vet's guide

Although worms can affect dogs of all ages, they are especially common in puppies. Parasite control is a big part of puppy ownership, and regular worming is essential.
 
While your vet is always on hand for these conversations, we’ve put together this handy guide to give you a head start. Let’s start answering your most frequently asked worming questions…

When do puppies need to be wormed?

Puppies need routine worming from a very young age. In fact, a responsible breeder should use a suitable worming treatment regularly in their pregnant dog, as some worms can be passed from mother to puppy in the uterus and via their milk. This means that puppies could be born with worm infections, despite never having stepped foot outside!

At what age can puppies be wormed?

Worming should start in puppies at around 2-3 weeks old and continue every 2-3 weeks until they are 12 weeks old. The exact timings may depend on the product used.
After that, monthly worming is advised until they are 6 months of age. From then, your pet’s lifestyle and risk may determine the frequency. More on this later….

How do puppies catch worms?

Maternal transfer is just one of the ways that pups can get worms. As puppies grow and start to explore the world they also risk picking up parasites from their environment. Puppies learn through sniffing, licking, and eating, which can lead to accidental ingestion of microscopic worm eggs or larvae (immature worms).
 
This usually occurs in one of the following ways:

• Contact with infected animals – Close contact with infected dogs could lead to transfer of worm eggs.
• Contact with infected soil – Worm eggs are found on the ground, especially in areas where infected dogs or other animals have passed faeces.
• Eating infected meat – Tapeworm can be found in the raw meat of animals such as sheep and pigs. The larval form of this parasite creates cysts in the meat, which can cause infection if consumed. Roundworm and tapeworm can also be found in the intestinal tract of infected animals. It’s safer to cook meat before offering it to your pet. If your dog is a scavenger, then don’t forget that dead wildlife like birds and small rodents can also harbour parasites.
• Fleas – Fleas can carry the immature stage of the tapeworm lifecycle. If your pet accidentally eats an infected flea while grooming, the tapeworm will hatch out in their digestive tract. Read about how to get rid of fleas on dogs. 
• Slugs and snails – Slugs and snails can carry lungworm, a potentially fatal parasite. Pups can become infected by eating a slug or snail, or from accidentally ingesting infected slime – from a water bowl or toy, for example.
  

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What types of worm can affect puppies?

These are the most common worms to affect puppies in the UK -

Roundworm (Toxocara canis and Toxascaris leonina)

Arguably the most common worm in puppies, roundworms grow to several inches long and often look smooth and spaghetti-like. They live in the intestines, absorbing partially digested food. Roundworm can lead to stomach upsets and weight loss, and large numbers may even cause a physical obstruction in your pup’s digestive tract.

Tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum and Taenia species)

Tapeworm will attach themselves to the inside of your dog’s digestive tract and absorb nutrients from partially digested food. These worms are long and ribbon like, with segments seen along their length. Small segments can detach from the body of the tapeworm, exiting via the anus. They may be seen wriggling near your pet’s bottom. These will be packed full of worm eggs ready to infect their next host.

Lungworm (Angiostrongylus vasorum)

Young, curious dogs are at increased risk of picking up lungworm. Spread by slugs and snails, ingested lungworm larvae grow and develop inside your dog. They will migrate from the digestive tract to live in the heart and blood vessels, where they can cause serious problems like haemorrhages (bleeding) and breathing issues. Mild cases may be asymptomatic, but it could be fatal in severely affected dogs. Infected dogs can pass larvae in their stools, contaminating the environment and infecting more slugs and snails.

Hookworm (Uncinaria stenocephala and Ancylostoma caninum)

Hookworms are a small type of roundworm that latch onto the inside of the intestines where they feed on blood. They can also enter the body through the skin, causing local irritation. This is more common in kennelled dogs with damp paws. Hookworm infection in the UK is rare, but it’s worth noting as they can cause severe anaemia, especially in puppies. Hookworm is zoonotic, meaning that humans can potentially become infected.

What are the signs of a puppy having worms?

Would I know if my puppy has worms? Not necessarily.
 
Many puppies can be completely symptomless, especially in the early stages of infection or when worm numbers are low. This is why routine parasite control is important, even in seemingly healthy dogs.
 
For puppies that are showing signs of worm infection, you may notice one or more of the following –

• A pot-bellied or bloated appearance
• Loose stools or vomiting
• Weight loss
• Scooting their bottom on the floor
• An increased appetite
• Visible worms near their bottom or in their stools
• Other issues such as coughing, lethargy, and bleeding. Itchiness may be seen if your pet has fleas.
  

If you notice any of these symptoms, then you must get your pup checked out by a vet.

While worms may be behind the issue, it’s important to rule out other problems first.

Worming for puppies: schedule

Your vet will be able to advise you on the best worming protocol for puppies, as it may vary depending on individual risk factors and the product being used.

However, the following is a good guide –

• Two – Twelve weeks of age – Every 2 – 3 weeks
• Three – Six months of age – Once a month
• Six months of age onwards – Continue with once-a-month treatment for ongoing lungworm protection, once every one - three months for roundworm protection (depending on risk), and once every three months for tapeworm control.
  

To be effective, the correct dose must be administered. Regular weight checks are advisable, especially in growing pups.

How long does worming last in puppies?

De-worming treatments don’t give lasting protection. While products work quickly to kill off existing infection, they may not be effective against all stages of the worm’s lifecycle. Multiple rounds of treatment could be required to destroy immature worms as they develop. This is why regular worming is recommended.

Can you over-worm a puppy?

Giving your puppy the wrong dose of medication or using the products more frequently than recommended could cause issues. To keep things safe, follow your vet’s recommended schedule and always administer the correct amount.

Best worming treatment for puppies

We recommend speaking to your vet on this one.
 
While many over-the-counter products exist for roundworm and tapeworm protection, your vet may need to prescribe a product that covers your pet for Angiostrongylus vasorum (lungworm). The risk of this parasite may vary depending on where in the country you are, so it’s worth chatting this through. Many prescription products can also offer protection against other parasites like fleas and ticks.
 
And skip any home remedies… none of these are proven ways of keeping your puppy healthy. Veterinary-approved products are rigorously tested to be safe and effective.

How do I stop my puppy getting worms?

It’s impossible to prevent your puppy from catching worms entirely, but there are things you can do to reduce the risk of disease –

• Use a vet-approved worming product at the correct dose and treatment intervals, to stop an infection from developing into something more serious.
• Discourage your dog from eating or playing with slugs and snails.
• Keep toys and water bowls indoors when not in use, to stop slugs and snails crawling over them at night.
• Don’t feed raw or contaminated meat to your puppy.
• Keep on top of your flea control.
• Maintain a clean environment by picking up your pet’s faeces promptly, washing bedding regularly and disinfecting flooring and bowls with pet safe products. Read how often a puppy should poop. 
  

Summary

We know that worms can be an unpleasant subject – but it’s an important one! With the right approach to worming control, your puppy will be happy and healthy for many years to come. Read our 3 key tips to keeping your puppy healthy. 
 
If you have any questions following this article, don’t hesitate to contact your vet for advice.  Regular check-ups and conversations about parasite treatment will help to ensure your dog is on the right track.