Puppy Deworming Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Complete Guide to Puppy Deworming

Hello, my name is Jovana, and for the past nine years, I have dedicated my life to my Rottweilers. Throughout this journey, I have worked with numerous veterinarians and specialists in various fields, always eager to learn from their expertise and advice. I have also heard many stories from older breeders who have been breeding for over 20 years, learning from their experiences and insights. After years of learning, observing, and refining my approach, I am proud to say that I have found the best practices for keeping my dogs healthy and thriving.

Not everything I heard was true, and not everything I read online actually worked in real life. That’s why, in this blog, I will share my own experience—what I do to keep my dogs in the best shape and health. Everything I write here comes from what I have learned over the years, but most importantly, from what I have seen working with my own dogs. I will share only the things I personally do and believe are the best for them.

And I must say that it is always best to consult with your own veterinarian. I am simply sharing the way I do it.

So, let’s begin!

The first and most important step is to deworm your dog correctly and regularly.

No matter what kind of food you feed your dog or what supplements you add, it won’t make a difference if your dog has intestinal parasites—or better to say, worms that actually live in their stomach and basically eat all the nutrients meant for the dog. These worms live inside the digestive system, where they feed on essential nutrients like proteins, vitamins, and minerals that your dog needs to grow and stay healthy. In severe cases, they can even cause malnutrition, weakness, and other health problems and low immuny sistem.

Moreover, research shows that some vaccines, especially those against highly contagious diseases like parvovirus, rely on a strong immune system to induce protective immunity. If a puppy’s immune system is compromised due to a worm infection, the vaccine may not provide the level of protection that it would in a healthy, dewormed puppy.

 

The First Mistake People Make

The first mistake I see people making is deworming their pets only once in a while. I used to do the same—I would deworm my adult dogs just once every year. That was until my vet explained the life cycle of worms, how they reproduce etc. So you need to repeat deworming after 2 weeks, aways, otherwise new worms will be born from the eggs.

 

Here’s a simple breakdown of the process:

 

-Adult worms lay eggs inside the dog’s intestines. These eggs are passed out in the dog’s feces.

-Eggs hatch into larvae in the environment or inside the dog.

-After about 2 weeks, these larvae develop into adult worms inside the intestines.

-New adult worms start laying eggs again, repeating the cycle.

   

Key Points:

• It takes about 2 weeks for adult worms to grow and lay eggs.

• It takes another 2 weeks for those eggs to hatch and develop into new worms.

This is why one deworming is not enough—you need to repeat it regularly to break the cycle and ki*l new worms before they start laying eggs again.

 

Schedule for Deworming My Puppies

• First deworming – When puppies have their first meal (between 17-21 days old).

I deworm my puppies around 16-17 days old, usually a day after they have their first meal. Puppies can be born with worms that they acquire from their mother, either through the placenta or through her milk after birth. Starting deworming at this time helps ensure they get a healthy start.

• Every 2 weeks – Until puppies reach 3 months old (for example, at 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 weeks, etc.).

After the first deworming, I continue to deworm every two weeks until the puppy is 12 weeks old. Once the puppy reaches three months old and receives their last vaccine (usually the Rabies vaccine), I adjust the deworming schedule.

• Once a month – From 3 to 6 months old.After the puppy’s final vaccination, I switch to a monthly deworming schedule until they are six months old. Not because I think they still have worms, but to prevent possible reinfection. Puppies can get infected again during walks, or I could unknowingly bring parasites into the garden on my shoes—even though I never enter my garden or house without disinfecting them first.

• Every 3 months to 6 months – After 6 months of age, like adult dogs.

After your puppy reaches six months of age, a deworming schedule every three to six months is generally recommended, depending on your dog’s lifestyle and the prevalence of worms in your area.

For example, if you often visit dog parks—where many dogs relieve themselves—you never know which dogs are properly dewormed and which are not. Your dog can also get reinfected from street dog feces; simply sniffing and touching it with their muzzle can be enough.

Dogs that attend daycare or swim in natural waters like rivers and lakes—even if they look clean—are also at risk of picking up parasites. I’m not trying to scare you; in most cases, worms are not extremely dangerous, and many adult dogs show no symptoms. However, for young puppies, worms can be harmful, affecting their development and overall health. So must importatnt is to deworm your dog regularly!

 

Side Effects After Deworming

After deworming your dog, especially in puppies, you may notice side effects like diarrhea (sometimes with blood), vomiting, lethargy, and loss of appetite. 

Because worms  are attached to a puppy’s intestines, and when we ki*l them with deworming medicine, they can cause irritation and damage to the intestinal lining and release their toxins. This is why proper dosing is extremely important.

Most deworming tablets are dosed based on weight—usually one pill per 10 kg (22 lbs) of body weight. For example, if your puppy weighs 46 kg (101 lbs), you should not give just 4.5 pills. Instead, you should round up and give 5 pills, because a slightly higher dose will not harm your dog, but an insufficient dose can be dangerous. If the dosage is too low, the medicine may not fully ki*l the parasites, only disturb them, which can make them more aggressive and cause serious intestinal damage.

Now, you might ask yourself, okay, If I regularly deworm my female dog and she can only pass worms to her puppies through the placenta or milk, why do I need to deworm my puppies so many times, especially if they don’t seem to have parasites?

Well, a few years ago, my vet told me something that really stood out: If a puppy has had worms even once in her life, some of the larvae can stay dormant in her muscles, waiting for the right moment to activate. This happens when the female puppy grows up and becomes pregnant. These dormant worms ‘wake up’ because they feed on specific proteins that are only available during pregnancy. That’s why some puppies can be born with worms, even if their mother was regularly dewormed.

   

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How often should I deworm my puppy?

Puppies should be dewormed every two weeks from their first meal (around 17-21 days old) until they are three months old. After that, deworming is done once a month until they are six months old, and then every three to six months for adult dogs, depending on their lifestyle.

 

2. Why is deworming so important for puppies?

Worms steal essential nutrients from a puppy’s body, which can lead to poor growth, a weak immune system, and digestive issues. Regular deworming ensures your puppy develops properly and stays healthy.

3. How much deworming medication should I give my dog?

The dosage depends on your dog’s weight and the type of dewormer used. Always check the instructions on the deworming product or consult your veterinarian for the correct dosage. Giving too little might not work and can couse problems, and giving too much can be harmful.

4. How do dogs get worms?

Puppies can get worms from their mother’s milk, through contaminated soil, dog feces, or even by sniffing infected areas. Worm eggs and larvae are everywhere, which is why regular deworming is crucial.

5. What are the signs that my puppy has worms?

Some common signs include:

-A bloated belly (especially in puppies)

-Weight loss despite eating well

-Diarrhea or vomiting

-Worms in stool or vomit 

-Dull coat and low energy

6. Can worms affect my puppy’s vaccinations?

Yes! A weakened immune system caused by worms can reduce the effectiveness of vaccines, especially for diseases like parvovirus. That’s why it’s recommended to deworm before vaccinations to ensure the best protection.

7. What happens if I don’t deworm my puppy?

If left untreated, worms can cause severe malnutrition, weakness, anemia, digestive problems, and in extreme cases, even death. Puppies are more vulnerable, so skipping deworming is risky.

8. Can I see worms in my puppy’s poop?

Sometimes, yes! You may see long, spaghetti-like worms (roundworms) or small, rice-like segments (tapeworms). However, some worms are microscopic, so you won’t always notice them.

9. What should I do if my puppy has worms?

Start deworming immediately with a vet-recommended dewormer. Follow the correct schedule and repeat treatments to ensure all worms (and their eggs) are eliminated.

10. Can my dog get reinfected after deworming?

Yes! Dogs can get reinfected from soil, feces, dog parks, daycare, or even from your shoes. That’s why regular deworming is important.

11. Can humans get worms from dogs?

Some worms (like roundworms and hookworms) can be transmitted to humans, especially children. Practicing good hygiene, washing hands, and regularly deworming your dog reduces this risk. Humans, specially kids also get dewordem with human deworming pills.

12. Can I deworm my dog at home, or do I need a vet?

Yes, you can deworm your dog at home using non-prescription dewormers that are available in pet stores or pharmacies. However, if your dog has a severe infestation, is showing serious symptoms, or you’re unsure which product to use, it’s best to consult a veterinarian for guidance, also it depends on your country regulations.

 

What would you like to read about next? Let me know in the comments! I’d love to hear your suggestions and share more useful tips with you.