A worm infestation is a common problem for dog owners. Puppies are more vulnerable to the effects of worms because their immune and digestive systems are still developing. The worms that can infect your pup include hookworms, tapeworms, whipworms, roundworms, and heartworms. Protecting your canine against parasites ensures the animal stays healthy but selecting the ideal medication can be challenging when you have so many options. Some of the brands protect against multiple parasites, and others only treat one or two types of worms. Although the products are made to be safe for your pet, it’s a good idea to look at the possible side effects in case your pup has a reaction. We’ve included reviews of the best dewormers for your puppy to help you decide which product is perfect for your young dog.
We chose Sentinel Spectrum Chew for Dogs as the best overall dewormer for puppies. It not only treats intestinal worms but also prevents the development of flea eggs and protects your dog against heartworm disease. It treats whipworms, tapeworms, roundworms, hookworms, and heartworms. It’s designed for puppies at least 6 weeks old and weighing at least 2 pounds.
Unlike many of the competitors, Sentinel seems more appetizing to dogs. Fewer dog owners reported their animals having trouble consuming the tablet, and some dogs did not need the tablet hidden in food to consume it. However, the only downside we noticed was the tablet’s performance with fleas. Some dog owners claimed that Sentinel did not prevent their pets from getting fleas.
Pros
Treats multiple parasites
Prevents heartworm disease
Dogs like the tablet’s taste
Cons
Less effective at repelling fleas
2. Tri-Heart Plus Chewable Tablet for Dogs, up to 25 lbs – Best Value
The Tri-Heart Plus Chewable Tablet for Dogs was our winner for the best dewormer for the money award. It offers some of the same benefits as more expensive brands, and it’s great for pet parents with multiple pets who are trying to reduce their pet care costs. Tri-heart protects against heartworm disease and treats roundworms and hookworms when taken monthly. It’s safe for canines as young as 6 weeks old, and it can be hidden in food or offered by itself. Like other heartworm medications, Tri-Heart requires a prescription from your veterinarian. The only problem we noticed with the Tri-Heart tablets was the size of the pill. It’s too big to give a small puppy unless you break it up and mix it with food.
Pros
Affordable
Prevents heartworm disease
Treats roundworms and hookworms
Cons
Tablets are too big for small pups
3. Simparica Trio Chewable Tablet for Dogs – Premium Choice
Simparica Trio Chewable Tablet for Dogs is our premium pick of dewormer medications. It’s safe for dogs at least 8 weeks old, and it can be added to food or given to your dog by itself. Unlike similar brands that treat multiple parasites, Simparica also protects your pup against five types of ticks. It prevents heartworm disease and treats hookworms and roundworms. The manufacturer claims that it can eliminate fleas on your dog in 8 hours and provide 100% protection against heartworm disease. It’s more expensive than many of its competitors, but it claims to treat more types of ticks than other brands, and customers are happy with the results.
Trifexis Chewable Tablet for Dogs has been on the market for over ten years, and it offers protection against heartworm disease and flea infestations. It starts killing fleas on your dog in 30 minutes, and it also treats hookworms, whipworms, and roundworms. The beef-flavored tablet can be fed to your dog with or without food, and it protects for 30 days. Unlike other brands, Trifexis eliminates whipworms. Whipworms are not as common as roundworms, but they can lead to anemia and weight loss in puppies if not correctly treated. Many dog parents trust Trifexis, but some animals have problems eating the tablet due to the flavor.
For puppies who have problems with the flavor of tablets, you can use Panacur C Canine Dewormer. It comes in a powdered formula that you mix in with the dog’s wet food. The manufacturer suggests adding a bit of water if your dog only eats dry kibble. Panacur treats hookworms, roundworms, whipworms, and Taenia tapeworms. Unlike other treatments, you must give your puppy a dosage for three days before the worms are eliminated. While many dog owners were happy with the treatment, some mentioned that their dogs had trouble tolerating the medicine after the first dose. Panacur does not require a prescription or doctor’s approval to use, but we suggest talking to your vet before giving your puppy any over-the-counter medication.
Nemex-2 Wormer is a liquid product that eliminates hookworms and roundworms. It’s safe for dogs of all sizes and puppies at least 2 weeks old. Although some dog owners claim that their pets enjoy the taste of Nemex, you can mix it with wet food if you ensure all the medication is consumed. The liquid formula works fast, and some customers were surprised how quickly the worms were expelled. Nemex is not designed to remove whipworms or tapeworms, and you’ll need additional medication if your puppy has either of those parasites. The only drawback to the product is its lack of safety packaging. It’s a liquid, but it’s delivered unsealed with only the top keeping it from leaking.
Pros
Fast-acting
Eliminates roundworms and hookworms
Cons
Bottles are delivered unsealed
Does not treat tapeworms or whipworms
7. Bayer Tapeworm Dewormer (praziquantel tablets) for Dogs
Bayer Tapeworm Dewormer for Dogs treats the two most common types of tapeworms: Dipylidium caninum and Taenia pisiformis. The tablet can be given to your dog directly or mixed with food, and one dose is designed to remove all tapeworms. It’s safe for puppies as young as 4 weeks old, but some small canines may have trouble consuming the tablet. The tablet can be given to dogs that are between 6-10 pounds but for puppies under 5 pounds of body weight, the recommended dose is half a tablet. It’s not as expensive as other brands, but it only treats tapeworms, and slightly pricier medications usually treat multiple parasites.
Pros
Treats common tapeworms
Only requires one dose for treatment
Cons
Expensive for treating only tapeworms
One dose may be too much for dogs under 5 pounds
Does not control fleas
8. SENTRY HC WormX DS (pyrantel pamoate) Canine Anthelmintic Suspension De-wormer for Dogs
The Sentry HC WormX DS Dewormer for Dogs is a liquid that eliminates hookworms and roundworms. It’s safe for puppies and dogs as large as 150 pounds. Sentry is less expensive than most dewormer tablets, but it sometimes takes more than one treatment to remove the worms. You can mix it with wet food to make it more flavorful, but we were disappointed that measuring a small amount for a puppy was so difficult. The product comes with an ineffective measuring spoon, but some customers used a syringe to administer the formula to puppies. If your puppy only has hookworms and roundworms, Sentry seems effective, but it does not remove tapeworms or whipworms.
Interceptor Plus Chew for Dogs is safe for puppies as young as 6 weeks old that weigh at least 2 pounds. It prevents heartworm disease and treats roundworms, whipworms, hookworms, and tapeworms. Compared to other tablets that treat multiple parasites, Interceptor is less expensive as long as your dog can handle the flavor of the tablet. Some dogs can eat Interceptor without problems, but others are repulsed by the taste and even hiding it in food doesn’t work with some pups. If your dog is a picky eater, you may want to try another brand.
FurFinds Herbal Cleanse for Cats and Dogs is the only product we reviewed that uses natural ingredients to remove parasitic worms. The formula’s ingredients include peppermint, oregano, papain, clove, black walnut, wormwood, apple cider vinegar, and pumpkin seed. Although several customers were impressed with FurFinds, it’s unclear which worms it’s designed to remove. Some customers mentioned it removed tapeworms, and others claimed it treated roundworms. The biggest concern we have with the product is the vague dosage instructions. It says it’s safe for daily use, but also mentions it’s not designed for long-term use.
Pros
Uses natural ingredients
Cons
Unclear which parasites it treats
Vague dosage instructions
Manufacturer claims it may not work on 5% of dogs
Buyer’s Guide: How To Choose The Best Dewormer For Puppies
If your puppy’s mother had parasites before giving birth, unfortunately, your dog probably also has the disgusting worms. Mothers can transmit hookworms and roundworms to their young before delivery and after birth through their milk, and all puppies should be tested for worms before adoption. If you haven’t decided which medication is ideal for your pup, you can follow these guidelines for choosing a safe formula.
Image Credit: Pixabay
Veterinary Recommendations
Some of the products we reviewed do not require veterinary approval to use, but we strongly encourage you to visit your veterinarian before selecting a dewormer. After examining numerous reviews from dog owners, we noticed a disturbing trend among consumers looking for the cheapest alternative to seeing a vet. A $50 box of medicine is more affordable than visiting the vet, but it’s not worth risking an adverse reaction from a young dog. The chemicals used in the medication we reviewed are safe, but a small percentage of animals can experience side effects. Without a thorough checkup and worm test, you cannot determine which types of worms your dog may have.
Seasonal Considerations
Your canine can become infected with worms during any time of the year, but the parasites are more abundant during the warmer months when dogs are more active outside. If a puppy consumes a rotten carcass or piece of soil with parasitic eggs, it can lead to a roundworm, whipworm, or hookworm infestation. Warmer weather also attracts mosquitos that can transmit heartworms and fleas that can transmit tapeworms. Year-round protection from worms is essential, but you’ll have to be more careful with administering dewormers during the summer. Any lapse in treatment can lead to another infestation.
Puppy Preferences
The tablets that eliminate several parasites are the most effective treatments, but some dogs are not fond of chewing the pills. You can hide the tablets in food, but some animals can detect the flavor and avoid the meal altogether. If you own an incredibly finicky puppy, you can try liquid or powder products with less potent flavors.
Side Effects
A small number of dogs will have side effects to dewormers, such as vomiting and diarrhea, and you should observe your pup after it consumes the medication for any reactions. Dogs that experience seizures are particularly sensitive to some of the chemicals in dewormers, and you should check with your vet first if your pet has medical conditions. Although some manufacturers recommend repeating the dewormer dosage if the animal vomits the first treatment, we suggest calling your doctor before giving your pet another round.
Image Credit: ales_kartal, Pixabay
Price
Dewormers vary significantly in price depending on the brand, but most premium products treat multiple parasites. If your puppy only tested positive for tapeworms, you do not need a tablet that treats several worms, and you can probably get by with a cheaper brand. However, single-dose treatments do not always prevent future infestations, and you may need a preventative medicine if you have an active dog that lives outdoors.
Conclusion
Our dewormer reviews highlighted the best dewormers for your puppy, but we chose Sentinel Spectrum Chew for Dogs as our overall winner. It’s more edible to picky dogs and provides protection from heartworm disease and four of the most common parasitic worms. It’s less expensive than other brands that eliminate multiple parasites and can be fed to pups as little as 2 pounds. Our second place winner, Tri-Heart Plus Chewable Tablet for Dogs, is an affordable option for preventing heartworm disease and treating roundworms and hookworms.
Nicole is the proud mom of 3 rescue fur babies, Baby, a Burmese cat; Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway; and Mac, a Lab/Mastiff. A Canadian expat, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband and new baby daughter in New Zealand. She has a strong love for all animals of all shapes and sizes (and particularly loves a good interspecies friendship) and wants to share her animal knowledge and other experts' knowledge with pet lovers across the globe....Read more
