Natural Dog Dewormer: 13 Home Remedies for Worms in Dogs

Looking for a natural dewormer for your dog?

Pumpkin seeds, apple cider vinegar, diatomaceous earth, coconut oil and other home remedies are frequently recommended as natural ways to get rid of worms in dogs.

But there is an important distinction:

Natural ingredients may support digestive health, while good hygiene and lifestyle measures can help reduce parasite exposure and reinfection.

Roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and tapeworms are different parasites, and the right treatment depends on which parasite your dog actually has.

That does not mean every natural approach is useless.

This guide reviews 13 popular natural dewormers and home remedies for dogs, what evidence exists for them, which ones may be useful as supportive care, and which popular remedies are better avoided.

Do natural dewormers for dogs actually work?

Some natural products have interesting laboratory, traditional or nutritional uses, but evidence that common home remedies can reliably clear an established intestinal worm infection in dogs is limited.

For that reason, it is useful to separate three different goals:

1. Killing or removing an established parasite → this requires a treatment that is effective against the specific worm involved.

2. Supporting the gut during or after treatment → foods, fiber and selected natural ingredients may have a useful complementary role.

3. Reducing the chance of reinfection → hygiene, prompt feces removal, flea control, preventing scavenging and risk-based parasite testing are extremely important.

Below, we'll look at 13 popular natural dog dewormers one by one and separate what may help, what remains unproven, and what should be avoided.

13 natural dewormers for dogs: What works, what may help, and what to avoid

Not all natural worm remedies deserve the same rating.

Some have direct evidence in dogs.
Others have shown antiparasitic activity only in laboratory studies or other animal species.
And several popular home remedies may support digestion without actually killing worms.

1. Pumpkin seeds: The most promising natural dog dewormer

Pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita pepo) have long been used traditionally against intestinal worms, and they now have something many natural dog dewormers lack: direct research in dogs (aff).

A 2025 study evaluated pumpkin-seed powder in dogs naturally carrying gastrointestinal nematodes.

The researchers reported an anthelmintic efficacy of approximately:

• 60% at 1g of pumpkin-seed powder per kg of body weight
• 80% at 1.5g/kg

This was based on reductions in fecal worm-egg counts.

That makes pumpkin seeds genuinely interesting, although one study does not prove that they reliably clear every infection or every species of worm.

Important distinction: the study measured reductions in nematode egg counts.
It did not establish that pumpkin seeds completely eliminated all adult worms, nor does it establish equivalent efficacy across every nematode species or against tapeworms.

How to use this information: the 1-1.5g/kg amounts are study doses, not a universal prescription for every dog.

For nutritional use, choose plain, unsalted pumpkin seeds, grind them finely and mix them into food.

2. Black seed oil: Promising antiparasitic activity

Black seed oil comes from Nigella sativa, a plant with a long history of traditional antiparasitic use (aff).

There is genuine experimental evidence behind that reputation.

Nigella has shown anthelmintic activity against several parasites in laboratory and animal studies.
In experimental Toxocara canis infections in mice, black seed oil reduced larval numbers and inflammatory damage.

Other veterinary studies in livestock have also reported reductions in gastrointestinal nematode egg counts.

However, there is an important limitation: we do not yet have good clinical trials establishing an effective deworming dose for naturally infected dogs.

So black seed should be described as a promising natural antiparasitic, not as a proven replacement for every canine worm treatment.

If you use black seed oil as a dietary supplement, start conservatively and avoid assuming that a few drops will reliably clear an established infestation.

3. Thyme: Interesting anthelmintic compounds, but canine evidence is lacking

Thyme contains thymol and carvacrol, compounds with well-documented antimicrobial and antiparasitic activity.

Experimental studies have shown strong anthelmintic effects of thyme and thymol against gastrointestinal nematodes, particularly in livestock research.

That gives thyme a plausible biological basis as a traditional worming herb.
But the evidence does not justify the old claim that one teaspoon of thyme per pound of dog food will reliably treat hookworms.

There are no good canine clinical trials supporting that dosage.

Practical approach: culinary amounts of the whole herb can be used in food if your dog tolerates it.

Do not substitute thyme essential oil for the whole herb.
Essential oils are far more concentrated and require a completely different safety assessment.

4. Diatomaceous earth: Popular, but internal deworming evidence is weak

Food-grade diatomaceous earth is commonly recommended as a chemical-free worm remedy (aff).

It does have real physical effects against certain external arthropods.
Research has shown activity against ticks and other external arthropods

But that does not automatically mean it works the same way against intestinal worms.

The familiar explanation that diatomaceous earth "cuts the worms exoskeleton and dehydrates them" is misleading: intestinal helminths are not insects and do not have the same type of exoskeleton.

Studies of oral diatomaceous earth against internal parasites in livestock have produced mixed results, and convincing trials in dogs are lacking.

For that reason, I would not rank it alongside pumpkin seeds as a proven natural canine dewormer.

If used at all, choose only food-grade material and avoid inhaling the fine dust or allowing it into your dog's nose or eyes.

I would not rely on fixed spoonful-per-weight dosing as the sole treatment for a known worm infestation.

5. Apple cider vinegar: Useful food ingredient, not a proven worm killer

Apple cider vinegar is frequently recommended as a homemade worm treatment for dogs.

The theory is that acetic acid changes the intestinal environment and makes it less favorable for parasites.

It sounds plausible, but there is currently no convincing canine evidence that adding apple cider vinegar to drinking water clears roundworms, hookworms, whipworms or tapeworms.

It may be used as a food ingredient in dogs that tolerate it, but it should not be presented as a broad-spectrum dewormer.

I would also avoid routinely adding vinegar to the dog's only source of drinking water, because anything that discourages drinking is counterproductive.

6. Coconut oil: Digestive support rather than direct deworming

Coconut oil contains lauric acid and other fatty acids with interesting antimicrobial properties.

However, claims that coconut oil reliably kills roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms in dogs go beyond the available evidence.

Research in dogs has looked more at nutrition, gut health and microbiome effects than at elimination of intestinal helminths.

So coconut oil fits better as an optional nutritional supplement than as a primary worm treatment.

It is also calorie-dense, and larger quantities can cause loose stools or digestive upset.

7. Turmeric: Anti-inflammatory support, not a direct dog dewormer

Turmeric contains curcumin, which has well-known anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Those properties may be useful when the intestinal tract is irritated, but they should not be confused with demonstrated removal of worms.

There is currently insufficient evidence to say that turmeric alone will clear a canine intestinal parasite infection.
It belongs in the supportive-care category, not the direct anthelmintic category.

If your dog already tolerates small culinary amounts of turmeric in food, it can remain part of a balanced diet, but there is no established canine "worm-killing dose".

8. Kefir: Useful for the gut microbiome after digestive upset

Kefir deserves a place in a natural parasite-care article but for a different reason.

Studies in healthy dogs show that kefir can alter parts of the intestinal microbiome, including populations of lactic-acid bacteria.
That can make it an interesting food for digestive support, particularly when the gut has been disturbed.

But kefir has not been shown to kill intestinal worms in dogs.

Think of it as support for the intestinal environment, not as the substance that eliminates the parasite.

Choose plain, unsweetened kefir and introduce it gradually if your dog tolerates dairy.

9. Carrots: Fiber can support normal intestinal elimination

Carrots are another home remedy that is often described too dramatically.

There is no good evidence that carrots contain a mysterious "volatile oil" capable of killing canine worms.

What carrots do provide is fiber.
Finely grated or chopped carrot can therefore contribute to normal stool bulk and intestinal transit as part of a balanced diet.

That may be useful supportive nutrition, but fiber moving through the intestine is not the same thing as an anthelmintic treatment.

10. Chamomile: Soothing support for the digestive tract

Chamomile is traditionally used for its mild soothing and anti-inflammatory effects.

It may help support digestive comfort in some dogs, but there is no convincing evidence that ordinary chamomile preparations eliminate intestinal worms.

So chamomile belongs in the same category as kefir and carrots: potentially useful supportive care, but not a stand-alone dewormer.

11. Parsley: Nutritious herb, but not a demonstrated dog worm treatment

Parsley provides micronutrients and phytochemicals and can be used in small culinary quantities.

But the evidence that it directly eliminates canine intestinal worms is weak.

Use it as an optional food herb, not as the main treatment for an established infestation.

Concentrated parsley extracts or large medicinal quantities are unnecessary.

12. Grapefruit seed extract: I would not use it as a homemade dog dewormer

Grapefruit seed extract is often marketed as a broad-spectrum natural antimicrobial and antiparasitic product.

The problem is not simply that veterinary evidence is limited.

Several analytical studies of commercial grapefruit seed extracts have found synthetic antimicrobial compounds such as benzethonium or benzalkonium chloride in products sold as natural extracts.

In some studies, products without these added preservatives showed little or no antimicrobial activity.

There is also no convincing evidence that grapefruit seed extract reliably clears tapeworms or other intestinal worms in dogs.

For those reasons, I would not recommend oral grapefruit seed extract as a homemade canine dewormer.

13. Garlic: Antiparasitic reputation, but the safety trade-off is not worth it

Garlic has genuine biological activity and has traditionally been used against parasites.

The issue is not that garlic is "natural" or that conventional veterinarians dislike herbs.
The problem is that dogs are unusually sensitive to compounds in Allium plants.

Experimental studies have shown that garlic can cause oxidative damage to canine red blood cells, including Heinz bodies and changes associated with hemolysis.

Individual susceptibility also varies.

For that reason, I would remove the old homemade dosing protocol of ¼, ½ or 1 clove several times per week.

So, what is the best natural dewormer for dogs?

Based on the evidence currently available, pumpkin seeds are the most interesting natural home option in this list for intestinal nematodes.

A recent canine study found measurable reductions in fecal nematode egg counts, which gives pumpkin seeds more direct support than most popular homemade remedies.

Black seed and thyme are also scientifically interesting because they have demonstrated antiparasitic activity in experimental or veterinary research, but canine clinical evidence is still too limited to give them the same status.

For digestive support, foods such as kefir, carrots and small amounts of appropriate dietary herbs can complement a parasite-control plan.

But a useful natural approach should also include something that is often overlooked:

• identify the parasite when possible
• pick up stools promptly
• control fleas, because fleas transmit Dipylidium tapeworms
• prevent scavenging and ingestion of rodents or infected prey
• repeat fecal testing when there is doubt about whether the infection has cleared

What kind of worms does your dog have?

Before choosing a natural worming strategy, it helps to know which parasite you are actually dealing with.

Roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and tapeworms are not interchangeable.
They live in different parts of the digestive tract, spread in different ways and can cause very different problems.

Roundworms: Especially common in puppies

Roundworms, particularly Toxocara canis, are among the most common intestinal parasites in young dogs.
Adult worms live in the small intestine and may look like pale pieces of spaghetti when they are passed in stool or vomit.

Possible signs:

• a pot-bellied appearance in puppies
• diarrhea
• poor growth or weight loss
• a dull coat
• vomiting
• occasionally visible worms

Puppies can acquire Toxocara canis from their mother, which is one reason worm burdens can become significant at a very young age.

Some roundworms are also zoonotic, meaning their larvae can infect people.

Hookworms: Small worms that feed on blood

Hookworms such as Ancylostoma caninum attach to the lining of the small intestine and feed on blood.
This makes them potentially much more serious than their small size suggests.

Signs:

• pale gums
• weakness or lethargy
• poor growth
• diarrhea
• dark or tarry stools caused by digested blood
• anemia, especially in puppies

Heavy hookworm infections in young dogs can become severe very quickly.

Some hookworm larvae can also penetrate human skin, so sanitation and prompt feces removal matter for the whole household.

Whipworms: Often difficult to recognize

Whipworms (Trichuris vulpis) live mainly in the cecum and colon.
Light infections may produce no obvious signs.

Heavier infestations can cause:

• chronic or recurring diarrhea
• mucus or fresh blood in the stool
• weight loss
• weakness or dehydration

Whipworm eggs can survive for long periods in a contaminated environment, making reinfection a particular problem.

Tapeworms: Look for "grains of rice"

Tapeworms are segmented intestinal worms.

The most familiar canine tapeworm, Dipylidium caninum, is transmitted when a dog swallows an infected flea while grooming.
This is why treating the worm without controlling fleas can lead to rapid reinfection.

One of the easiest clues is finding small white segments that resemble grains of rice:

• in fresh stool
• around the dog's anus
• on bedding
• or stuck to the fur beneath the tail

Many dogs with tapeworms otherwise appear relatively healthy.

Other tapeworm species can be acquired by eating rodents, prey, raw meat or infected organs.

What about Giardia and coccidia?

Giardia and coccidia are frequently discussed alongside intestinal worms, but they are not worms.
They are microscopic intestinal parasites belonging to different groups of organisms.

Giardia in particular can cause:

• soft or watery stools
• recurrent diarrhea
• mucus in the stool
• weight loss in some dogs
• or no obvious symptoms at all

A natural remedy intended for roundworms or tapeworms should therefore not automatically be expected to work against Giardia.

How can you tell which parasite your dog has?

Sometimes the answer is obvious, such as visible spaghetti-like roundworms or rice-like tapeworm segments.
But in many cases, symptoms alone cannot identify the parasite reliably.

Diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss and a dull coat can have many other causes.

The most useful diagnostic tool is usually a fresh stool sample.
Veterinary laboratories can look for parasite eggs by fecal flotation, and some tests can also detect parasite antigens or DNA.

Quick identification guide

• Spaghetti-like worms: think roundworms
• Rice-like segments: think tapeworms
• Pale gums + weakness + dark stool: hookworms deserve particular attention
• Recurring diarrhea, sometimes with fresh blood: whipworms are one possibility
• Persistent soft stools without visible worms: consider Giardia or another intestinal problem rather than assuming worms

Knowing the parasite changes the strategy.

A home remedy that shows activity against nematodes cannot automatically be assumed to work against tapeworms or protozoa, which is why identifying the likely parasite makes any natural approach much more rational.

→ Is diarrhea your dog's main symptom? Worms are only one possible cause. See 7 safe home remedies and natural treatments for dog diarrhea

How to prevent worms in dogs naturally

Preventing worms is not simply a matter of giving your dog a natural dewormer every few months.

The most effective natural prevention strategy is to break the parasite's life cycle before reinfection occurs.
That means combining good hygiene, sensible feeding, flea control, reduced exposure to contaminated environments and periodic stool checks based on your dog's lifestyle.

1. Pick up dog poop promptly

Many intestinal parasites spread through eggs or larvae passed in feces.
Roundworm and whipworm eggs can contaminate soil, yards, kennels and other places where dogs spend time.

Pick up feces daily at home and immediately during walks.

This simple habit reduces environmental contamination and also limits exposure for other dogs and people.

2. Control fleas to prevent tapeworm reinfection

This is particularly important for Dipylidium caninum.
Dogs acquire this common tapeworm by swallowing an infected flea while licking or grooming themselves.

So removing the tapeworm without dealing with fleas can result in another infection soon afterward.

Check your dog regularly for fleas and flea dirt, wash bedding and address flea populations in the environment as well as on the dog.

3. Don't let your dog eat rodents, carcasses or animal organs

Dogs that hunt or scavenge have a higher exposure to several parasites.

Some tapeworms are acquired when dogs eat infected rodents, prey animals, raw organs or carcasses.

This means that a "natural" lifestyle does not automatically mean a lower parasite risk.

If your dog hunts, scavenges or lives in a rural environment, parasite prevention needs to reflect that increased exposure.

4. Raw food is not a natural dewormer

A fresh, balanced diet can certainly support overall health.
But raw meat should not be presented as a way to prevent intestinal worms.

Depending on its source and handling, raw meat or offal can actually expose dogs to certain tapeworms and other infectious organisms.

If you feed raw food, sourcing, hygiene and parasite risk deserve particular attention.

5. Support gut health but don't confuse it with killing worms

A healthy digestive environment matters for your dog's general wellbeing.

A balanced diet, appropriate fiber and foods such as plain kefir when tolerated may support the intestinal microbiome.
But a healthy microbiome does not make a dog immune to roundworms, hookworms or tapeworms.

Good nutrition supports the dog; it does not replace parasite control.

6. Use stool testing strategically

Not every dog has the same exposure.

A mostly indoor adult dog that rarely encounters other animals has a very different risk profile from:

• a young puppy
• a hunting dog
• a dog that regularly eats prey or feces
• a dog living with many other animals
• a dog that frequently visits kennels, parks or daycare
• a dog with recurring digestive symptoms

Fecal testing can help identify parasites before deciding what treatment is actually necessary.

Current parasite-control guidance recommends more frequent fecal testing in puppies and periodic testing in adult dogs according to health and lifestyle.

A single negative result is not perfect, so persistent symptoms may justify repeat testing.

7. Prevent puppies from building a heavy worm burden

Puppies deserve special attention because they can acquire roundworms very early in life, including from their mother.
Heavy infections can affect growth and, with blood-feeding parasites such as hookworms, can become much more serious.

Natural foods and herbs may have a supportive place, but a young puppy with a suspected worm burden should not be left untreated while waiting to see whether a home remedy works.

8. Reduce reinfection instead of endlessly repeating remedies

If worms keep returning, ask why.

Repeated infections may come from:

• fleas
• contaminated soil
• eating prey or carrion
• contact with infected feces
• an untreated animal in the household
• or a treatment that did not target the parasite involved

Simply repeating pumpkin seeds, herbs or even conventional dewormers without breaking the reinfection cycle may give disappointing results.

How to get rid of worms in dogs without over-treating

Treating intestinal parasites should not be a choice between two extremes:

"Give deworming medication automatically forever" or

"Never use conventional dewormers because natural remedies are always safer"

A more sensible approach is to consider:

• which parasite is present
• how heavy the infection appears to be
• the dog's age and health
• the risk of transmission or reinfection
• and whether the treatment actually cleared the parasite

For some dogs, periodic fecal testing can help avoid treating blindly.

For others, especially puppies, symptomatic dogs, heavy infections or parasites with important health or zoonotic consequences, waiting for a home remedy to work may carry more risk than treating promptly.

When a targeted dewormer makes sense

Conventional anthelmintic medicines are not all the same.
Different drugs target different parasite groups, which is why identifying the likely worm can help avoid using a product that is unnecessary or poorly matched to the infection.
For example, roundworms, hookworms and whipworms are nematodes, while tapeworms are cestodes.

A treatment effective against one group cannot automatically be assumed to clear another.

When a significant infection is confirmed, a targeted treatment with known activity against that parasite can be the fastest and most predictable way to reduce the worm burden.

Natural supportive measures can still be used around that treatment when appropriate.

Does every dog need routine deworming several times a year?

Not every dog has the same parasite exposure.

A dog that hunts, scavenges, eats prey, lives in a kennel or frequently encounters contaminated environments has a very different risk profile from a low-exposure indoor companion dog.

European parasite-control guidelines therefore use risk groups rather than assuming that every dog needs exactly the same schedule.

Depending on the dog's lifestyle and parasite risk, one strategy may be scheduled deworming.

Another can be regular fecal examination followed by treatment when parasites are found.
This makes parasite control more individualized and can reduce unnecessary treatment in lower-risk dogs.

Anthelmintic resistance: Why more treatment is not always better

There is another reason to avoid simplistic parasite-control strategies: some canine worms are developing resistance to commonly used deworming drugs.

The clearest example is Ancylostoma caninum, the canine hookworm.
Multiple-drug-resistant hookworms have now been documented in pet dogs, and the problem is no longer restricted to racing Greyhounds or a single environment.
Resistance has been identified to several major classes of anthelmintic drugs.

This does not mean that conventional dewormers no longer work or should be avoided.

It means something more useful: repeated treatment without checking the result is not always an intelligent strategy.

Persistent worms after treatment do not automatically mean "give another dose"

If worm eggs remain present after appropriate treatment, several explanations are possible:

• the dog was reinfected
• the wrong parasite was targeted
• the treatment was not administered correctly
• larval stages survived and later matured
• or the parasite may be resistant

For persistent hookworm infections, veterinarians can use a fecal egg count reduction test by comparing quantitative fecal samples before and after treatment.
Some laboratories can also look for genetic markers associated with anthelmintic resistance.

What if your dog keeps getting worms?

Recurring worms should prompt a search for the source rather than endless repetition of the same remedy.

Bottom line: use natural approaches where the evidence or biological rationale is credible, use targeted medication when the infection requires it, and avoid treating blindly in either direction.

Natural deworming for dogs: a practical middle ground

Natural deworming makes the most sense when it is targeted rather than automatic.

Pumpkin seeds currently have some of the most interesting direct canine evidence, while other natural approaches may be more useful for supporting digestion, reducing exposure or helping prevent reinfection.

The key is to know what you are dealing with: identify the parasite when possible, break its life cycle, and avoid repeating either herbs or conventional dewormers blindly.

A natural approach does not have to reject veterinary treatment, and effective parasite control does not have to mean medicating every dog on the same schedule.
The best strategy is the one that clears significant infections while minimizing unnecessary treatment and reducing the chances that worms return.

→ Fleas can transmit tapeworms. See 7 natural ways to get rid of fleas

Your questions about natural dewormers for dogs

What is the best natural dewormer for dogs?

Among the home remedies reviewed here, pumpkin seeds have some of the most interesting direct evidence in dogs.
A 2025 canine study reported reductions in gastrointestinal nematode egg counts after pumpkin-seed powder.
That does not prove that pumpkin seeds completely eliminate every type of worm, but it gives them stronger direct canine support than most homemade remedies.

How can I deworm my dog naturally at home?

A sensible natural approach starts by trying to identify the parasite, because roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and tapeworms are different.
Natural measures can include pumpkin seeds, good fecal hygiene, flea control, prevention of scavenging and dietary support.
If your dog has a heavy infestation, anemia, persistent diarrhea, significant weight loss or is a young puppy, a home remedy alone may not be sufficient.

Can I make a homemade dewormer for my dog?

You can use certain foods as part of a natural worm-control plan, but there is no single homemade mixture proven to eliminate every canine intestinal parasite.
Plain ground pumpkin seeds are more defensible than mixtures containing garlic, concentrated essential oils or multiple untested herbs.
Avoid assuming that combining several natural ingredients makes the treatment more effective.

Do pumpkin seeds really kill worms in dogs?

There is now direct canine evidence suggesting that pumpkin-seed powder can reduce gastrointestinal nematode egg counts.
In one 2025 study, efficacy increased with the amount used.
However, reduced egg counts are not the same as proof that every adult worm was eliminated, and the findings cannot automatically be applied to tapeworms or every parasite species.

Does apple cider vinegar kill worms in dogs?

There is currently no convincing evidence that apple cider vinegar reliably eliminates roundworms, hookworms, whipworms or tapeworms in dogs.
It may be used as a food ingredient in dogs that tolerate it, but it should not be relied upon as the main treatment for a confirmed worm infestation.

Does diatomaceous earth deworm dogs?

Food-grade diatomaceous earth is popular as a natural worm remedy, but evidence for oral use against intestinal worms in dogs is weak.
Its well-known mechanical action against insects and other arthropods does not automatically apply to intestinal helminths.
If used at all, avoid inhaling the powder and do not rely on it as the sole treatment for a significant infestation.

Is garlic a natural dewormer for dogs?

Garlic has biological and antiparasitic activity, but dogs are sensitive to Allium compounds that can damage red blood cells and cause hemolytic anemia.
For that reason, this guide does not recommend homemade garlic dosing as a deworming strategy.
Merck Veterinary Manual documents Allium toxicosis in dogs from raw, cooked, dehydrated and concentrated forms.

Do natural dewormers actually work?

Some natural products show genuine antiparasitic activity, but the evidence varies greatly from one remedy and parasite to another.
Pumpkin seeds have direct canine data, while black seed and thyme are promising but less well studied in dogs.
Other remedies mainly support digestion rather than directly killing worms.
So the answer is not simply "yes" or "no": effectiveness depends on the substance, the parasite and the severity of the infection.

How often should a dog be dewormed?

There is no single schedule that fits every dog.
Risk depends on factors such as age, hunting, scavenging, eating prey, kennel exposure, contact with children and the local parasite environment.
European ESCCAP guidance uses risk-based schedules and, in some situations, allows regular fecal examinations followed by treatment according to findings instead of automatic deworming.

How often should a dog's stool be tested for worms?

Testing frequency depends on age, health and lifestyle.
CAPC recommends intestinal parasite testing at least four times during the first year of life and at least twice yearly in adult dogs, adjusted for individual risk.
A single negative sample does not always exclude infection, especially when egg shedding is intermittent.

Can puppies be dewormed naturally?

Puppies can carry substantial worm burdens very early in life and are more vulnerable to complications such as poor growth or anemia.
Natural foods may have a supportive role, but a symptomatic puppy or one with a heavy worm burden should not depend solely on a homemade remedy.
Puppies also benefit from more frequent fecal testing than adult dogs.

When should a dog with worms see a vet quickly?

Seek prompt veterinary care if your dog has pale gums, marked weakness, blood or very dark stool, repeated vomiting or diarrhea, dehydration, major weight loss, collapse or a swollen painful abdomen.
Hookworms in particular can cause significant blood-loss anemia, especially in young dogs.

Sources

• Vinh TP, Bích VTN, Tâm QTT Study on the prevalence of infection in dogs and the anthelmintic efficacy of pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita pepo) Can Tho University Journal of Science. 2025.
• ESCCAP Worm Control in Dogs and Cats - Parasite risk, fecal testing, treatment strategies and prevention.
• Merck Veterinary Manual Garlic and Onion (Allium spp) Toxicosis in Animals - Garlic toxicity and red-blood-cell damage in dogs.
• Geary TG, et al Multiple anthelmintic drug resistance in the canine hookworm Ancylostoma caninum: AAVP position paper and research needs Vet Parasitol. 2025.

→ 19 Dog Health Problems and their Natural Solutions

* Updated: September 2026