Dog Deworming Schedule: How Often Should You Treat?
How Often Should You Deworm Your Dog Internally?
There are numerous types of parasites that can infest a dog's body, with roundworms and whipworms being among the most common. While some parasites may not necessarily lead to parasitic diseases in dogs, prolonged infestations can severely impact their growth and development.
Deworming dogs should be tailored to their age. For puppies, it's advisable to deworm them every 1 to 2 months. This regular deworming helps to prevent the buildup of internal parasites that could harm their young, developing systems.
For adult dogs, the recommended frequency is every 3 to 4 months. However, if your dog has a habit of consuming raw meat, it's best to deworm them every three months to ensure they remain free from internal parasites.
It's important to note that different parasites can affect dogs differently. While some may not cause illness, over time, they can significantly impact a dog's health and growth. Therefore, deworming should be ageappropriate and consistent.
How Often Should You Deworm Your Dog Externally?
Besides internal deworming, external deworming is equally crucial and should be done monthly. External deworming primarily aims to prevent fleas, but it also guards against lice, ticks, ear mites, and other parasites that can harm your dog's health and even pose a risk to you.
It's worth mentioning that after applying external deworming products, it's best not to bathe your dog for a few days. Particularly after deworming, immediate bathing can wash off the effectiveness of the external deworming medication.
Important Notes:
After deworming, pet owners should monitor the progress. Typically, you may see worms in your dog's feces within 1 to 2 days, and they should be completely expelled within a week. If your dog continues to exhibit symptoms like worms in their feces or vomiting live worms after the initial deworming, a second deworming session may be necessary after two weeks.
For those who are new to deworming their dogs, it's advisable to consult a veterinarian or an online pet doctor for the first deworming session to ensure the process is done correctly and safely.
