We Suddenly Lost Our Dog To Hemangiosarcoma
9 Natural Pest Control Solutions To Try
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Pests can pose major problems for households. Even if there's just one flitting or flying around now, it's safe to assume that they invited their friends to a house party that you didn't know you were hosting.
You could put a halt to things with a call to a professional exterminator. You could also try to tackle it yourself with any one of the many commercial pest removal sprays on the market. However, both options likely involve harsh chemicals that smell awful and could even be toxic to your household, putting children and animals, in particular, at risk.
Good news: There are a number of much-gentler and natural pest control solutions you can try first. The best part? While some of these natural solutions might sound a bit unsavory to mix up, they're all non-toxic—except for those soon-to-be exterminated pests, of course:
1. Natural Fly TrapsFill an empty soda bottle with some sweetened water—you can use sugar, syrup, honey or even overripe fruit. Add a few drops of vinegar to keep the bees away. The flies will zoom into the bottle for a sip of something sweet, but once their wings are wet, they won't be able to fly back out.
If you've got fruit flies in your kitchen, try apple cider vinegar. Put a little in a bowl or a glass and cover with plastic wrap, then poke some holes in the surface. Those little buggers will fly into the holes, but they won't be able to get out again.
2. Essential Oil SpraysIs there anything essential oils can't do? It doesn't seem likely. Add pest extermination to their long list of magic tricks. Get a spray bottle and fill it with water, then add about five to 10 drops of the following oils, depending on the type of pest you're looking to deter. Spray the affected areas; you could also saturate cotton balls and leave them in areas where you've seen the creepy crawlers:
Herbs are a great way to add fresh, vibrant flavor to meals, but they'll ruin the appetites of insects, particularly mosquitoes. If you're outdoors, add a few sprigs of rosemary or sage to the barbecue or fire pit to keep those annoying visitors away.
If you're having issues with flies indoors, put a small basil plant in affected areas and they'll fly away.
4. Coffee GroundsAfter you get your caffeine fix, take those soggy grounds and sprinkle them outside your house where you believe the bugs have found their way in. The remains of your dark roast will offend pests and other critters, but for ants in particular, your morning cup of Joe is a killer.
5. CitronellaIt's easy to think of citronella only in terms of lighting a candle outside at a barbecue to banish mosquitoes, but you can bring this lemony scent indoors, too. Tuck away some citronella-scented sachets in your kitchen to keep moths and roaches at bay.
6. Banana PeelIn classic comedies, the banana peel was the gag of choice to stop people in their tracks, and the same goes for garden pests, particularly aphids. If you've got problems in your vegetable or flower garden, plant a banana peel in the soil right by the stems of the affected plants. The decaying fruit peel will not only get rid of pests, but it'll fertilize the soil, too.
7. White VinegarThis is one item you should always have on hand in your pantry, as it comes to the rescue often as a gentle cleanser. This time, try it to get rid of ant trails in your home. Take two cups of water, add a ¼ cup of white vinegar, and a few drops of peppermint or eucalyptus oil. Use it to wash the area you last saw ants and they will go marching off.
8. OnionsThere's no need to cry over your spider problem, although you might shed a few tears with this natural pesticide: Slice up an onion, add the pungent pieces in a bowl of water, and place it where you've seen Spidey and company. They should be on their way out soon.
Ladybugs are a friendly looking bunch until the bunch gets too big. Give them the heave-ho with a bunch of cloves. It'll make your house smell like the holidays, but the scent is too strong for them and so they'll be sent back the way they came.
Another great thing about these natural pest control solutions is that you can try several of them at once if you're having multiple pest problems or need to cover a larger surface area. You won't have to worry about any toxic chemicals mixing with each other. In fact, your home will likely smell quite nice as you rid it of unwanted visitors.
How To Get Rid Of Cicada Killers
Like their name suggests, cicada killers have but one mission: kill cicadas. They're not doing it to feed themselves, though; their preferred diet is actually plant nectar. Instead, they bring back their prey to feed their newly hatched larvae waiting beneath the ground in tunnels that their doting mothers have created to protect them.
The females have the stingers—not the males—so they are the aggressors. When a female cicada killer is on the hunt, she will sting a cicada, paralyzing it. She then takes it on a one-way flight back to her burrow, where she proceeds to lay an egg on the cicada. Two to four days later, the egg hatches and the larvae then has sustenance for one or two weeks. The satisfied larvae will then build cocoons of silk as protection all winter long.
For humans, or really, anything thing that's not a cicada, cicada killers probably won't bother you, unless you actually try to catch one in your hands. Their sting doesn't hurt as much as a wasp's sting, but they could cause an allergic reaction for some. Still, it's the cicadas that are their preferred prey. But if you are averse to bugs or if you've been stung by a wasp or bee at some point, it's understandable that you might be alarmed if you have one of them buzzing (rather loudly) about.
Strangely enough, it's probably the stingerless male who's following you around because the females are busy feeding their young. The males tend to be very territorial, and they might even pretend to sting—an odd habit known as "pseudo-stinging." But they are far more annoying than harmful, and the best thing to do is simply walk away from the area.
The 4 Best Dog Dewormers Of 2024
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The best dog dewormers kill parasites such as tapeworms, roundworms, and hookworms.Chewy/Business Insider
Intestinal parasites, often called worms, are microscopic organisms that live inside your dog and silently cause harm. Common intestinal parasites in dogs include roundworms, tapeworms, and hookworms. Some worms, like roundworms and hookworms, can also infect humans. If your dog has worms, it's important to get rid of worms in dogs quickly and safely, but choosing parasite prevention can be difficult. The best dog dewormers kill the parasites your pet already has, while intestinal parasite preventives prevent future infections.
With guidance from veterinarians, we chose the best dog dewormers based on their safety, efficacy, number of parasites targeted, and ease of use. Our top pick for a broad-spectrum dewormer is Drontal Plus Taste Tabs. One dose can kill four types of intestinal parasites, which is more than any other treatment.
Before you begin treatment, your veterinarian should do a fecal test to determine what type of worms your dog has. Your vet can advise you on what product might be best depending on your dog's temperament, lifestyle, and the most common parasites where you live since some products also kill fleas, ticks, and heartworms. All of the treatments we recommend also require a prescription from your veterinarian.
Learn more about how Insider Reviews tests and researches pet products.
Our top picks for the best dog dewormersBest broad-spectrum dewormer for dogs: Drontal Plus Taste Tabs - See at Chewy
Best tapeworm dewormer for dogs: Droncit Tablets - See at Chewy
Best oral parasite preventive for dogs: Trifexis Chewable Tablets - See at Chewy
Best topical parasite preventive for dogs: Advantage Multi for Dogs - See at Chewy
Best broad-spectrum dewormerDrontal Plus is our top pick for the best dog dewormers because it eliminates multiple types of parasites in one dose and within seven days. You can give your dog the flavored chewable tablet alone or with a small amount of food.
Story continues
The broad-spectrum dewormer contains three powerful active ingredients: pyrantel pamoate, praziquantel, and febantel. These ingredients work together to cover four species of tapeworms, two species of hookworms, two species of roundworms, and whipworms.
You'll need a prescription for Drontal Plus from your veterinarian, and a vet visit is also important because your dog may have other parasites that even a broad-spectrum dewormer can't eliminate. Keep in mind that your dog may require one or more follow-up treatments to make sure all the worms are eliminated. And because dogs commonly become infected with tapeworms by ingesting fleas, you'll also want to control and prevent those with one of the best flea and tick treatments for dogs.
Best for tapewormsOne Droncit tablet works to paralyze and eliminate the four most common species of tapeworms within 24 hours. The active ingredient in Droncit is praziquantel, which is safe and effective for adult dogs and puppies 4 weeks of age and older. You can feed your dog the tablet whole or crumble and mix it with food.
Droncit is conveniently and affordably sold per pill, unlike the other tapeworm medicine we considered, Elanco Tapeworm Dewormer, which contains the same active ingredient praziquantel but is only sold in a five-pack. To prevent future tapeworm infections, be sure to treat any fleas your dog may have and give them a monthly flea prevention medicine.
Best oral parasite preventiveOur pick for best oral parasite preventive is Trifexis, a chewable tablet you give your dog monthly to treat and control hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms. It also kills adult fleas and prevents heartworm. For maximum effectiveness, you should give your dog the beef-flavored chewable tablet with food.
Trifexis uses spinosad and milbemycin oximeto prevent, treat, and control parasites. While it does not kill or treat tapeworms, it kills adult fleas, which are responsible for transmitting the parasite. You'll need a prescription for Trifexis from your veterinarian and a current negative heartworm test. It should be used with caution in dogs with a history of seizures or breeding females. And although it is safe for puppies as young as 8 weeks old and weighing at least 5 pounds, puppies less than 14 weeks of age might experience a higher rate of vomiting than older dogs.
Because Trifexis kills adult fleas, which can transmit tapeworms, it ranked higher than preventives that do not, including Heartgard Plus, Interceptor Plus, Iverhart Max Soft Chews, and Sentinel Spectrum. Simparica Trio treats, controls, and prevents more parasites than any other oral product, including adult fleas, flea larvae, ticks, heartworms, hookworms, roundworms, mange mites, and chewing lice. However, because intestinal parasites are the primary consideration in this guide, Trifexis gets the nod for preventing three intestinal parasites compared to Simparica Trio's two.
Best topical parasite preventiveNo single preventive covers every parasite that could harm your dog, but Advantage Multi comes close. Containing the active ingredients imidacloprid and moxidectin, the topical treatment prevents three common intestinal parasites: roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms. It also prevents flea infestations by killing adult fleas before they can lay eggs and prevents heartworm and mange mites.
Choosing between an oral or topical parasite product can be a tough decision. Sometimes, dogs do better with one versus the other. "Some animals can't tolerate or have a food allergy to an oral product, so they must use a topical," says Dr. Melissa Smits, a partner at Fort Morgan Veterinary Clinic. "Or their skin may be sensitive to a topical so an oral is better." If your dog has no tolerance issues, it usually comes down to your preference.
Advantage Multi is easy to use: You apply it every 30 days to the skin at the base of your dog's neck between the shoulder blades. The liquid is absorbed and dries within hours. Unlike with some other topical preventives, you do not need to wear gloves to apply it. If you get the product on your hands, simply wash them with soap and water. For the first 30 minutes after application, keep dogs from licking the application site, either on themselves or other treated dogs in the house. Children should not touch the application site for two hours after application.
As with all medications that prevent heartworm, your dog needs a heartworm test before starting Advantage Multi and annually after that.
How we selected the best dog dewormersWhile researching and writing this guide, I drew from my eight years of experience as an assistant in veterinary hospitals and two decades of experience as a writer and editor in the pet and veterinary fields. I conducted research using the Quick Product Reference Guide published by the independent, nonprofit Companion Animal Parasite Council. This helpful reference, which includes all FDA- and EPA-approved parasite control products for small animals, lists each product's active ingredients, how the product is used, and which parasites it controls.
I also consulted with two licensed veterinarians for advice regarding the treatment and prevention of intestinal parasites like tapeworms, roundworms, and hookworms, as well as heartworms and ectoparasites like fleas, ticks, and mites. Although this information guided our product selection, our experts did not specifically endorse or recommend any of the products in this guide.
Here are the main attributes I looked for:
Safety and efficacy: Only FDA-approved products were considered for this guide.
Number of parasites treated: In general, products that covered more parasites received higher ratings. This did not apply to tapeworm dewormers, which are only intended to treat one parasite.
Ease of use: Products received lower ratings if they were more complicated to use than a similar product. For example, lower ratings were given if gloves need to be worn to apply the product or if children and pets need to be kept away from the treated animal for a period of time after application.
Minimum age and weight: When comparing similar products, higher scores went to preventives that can be used in younger animals.
Although different parasite preventives cover many different parasites, no one product covers every single internal and external parasite that could affect your dog. Talk to your veterinarian to help you decide which product will be best for your dog. "This is the most important part of having a relationship with a veterinarian in your area," says Smits. "We are trained to know what parasite problems we have in our area are, what lifestyle risks are important to consider, and overall, what is best for an individual pet and lifestyle."
Can I deworm my dog myself?Even though some dewormers are available without a prescription, do not skip the vet visit since different drugs treat different worms. Your vet will perform a physical exam and a fecal test to determine what type of worms they have. "Not all intestinal parasites are created equal, and there is not a one-size-fits-all when it comes to deworming medications," says Dr. Kelley Lay, a relief veterinarian in Nashville, Tennessee. Although a broad-spectrum dewormer kills several different types of worms, certain single-celled microscopic parasites (protozoa), including coccidia and Giardia, are not true worms. They require different prescription medications to treat them. Your dog also might need follow-up deworming and another fecal exam to ensure no parasites remain.
Do natural dewormers work for dogs?Natural dewormers aren't necessarily a better option, so you should check with your veterinarian before giving one to your dog. "While 'natural' deworming products may have some effect on intestinal parasites, I've consulted with numerous clients over the years who have tried them with repeated failure," says Lay. She adds that conventional, veterinarian-recommended dewormers have gone through stringent drug trials and studies to prove they are effective and safe to use.
What can I give my dog to prevent worms?Veterinarians recommend keeping dogs on a broad-spectrum parasite preventive all year, not only in the spring and summer months. Different parasites are active during different months, and parasite activity varies. Parasites can also become active earlier than expected, including during the winter. "Many adult dogs may be asymptomatic carriers," says Lay. "Parasites are not always able to be seen in feces and so you may not even know the problem is there. This can lead to infections that linger undetected for a long time."
Types of worms and their signs and symptomsMost dogs will contract intestinal parasites at some point in their lives. Some of the most common worms seen in dogs are roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, and whipworms. In adult dogs, parasite infestations may cause mild to moderate digestive symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and gas. However, heavy infestations can lead to severe issues, especially in young puppies.
"They can cause intestinal problems, malnutrition, anemia, growth problems in puppies, and even potential autoimmune issues," says Smits. "Also important is the zoonotic risk, potential spread to human family members."
Roundworms: These parasites are common in dogs, especially puppies, and are 3- to 6-inches long, smooth, and round-bodied. You might not know your dog has roundworms, particularly if they have only a few. In puppies, large numbers of worms may cause a pot-bellied appearance, vomiting, diarrhea, low appetite, dull coat, and restricted growth. You might also see roundworms in your dog's stool or vomit. Roundworms are zoonotic, which means they can be spread to human family members.
Tapeworms: Dogs pick up tapeworms when they ingest an infected adult flea. As the tapeworm grows, segments break off and pass in your dog's stool. If you see something in your dog's feces that resembles grains of white rice or you notice them licking or biting the area under their tail, they could have a tapeworm infestation.
Hookworms: Hookworms are blood-sucking parasites that attach to the wall of the intestines. These tiny worms are nearly invisible without the assistance of a microscope. Signs of hookworm infection in dogs include anemia, weight loss, bloody diarrhea, dull coat, and growth restriction. Hookworms are zoonotic so they can be spread to human family members.
Whipworms: Whipworms are relatively large intestinal parasites (about a ¼-inch long) that reside in the cecum and large intestine, where they wreak serious havoc. Dogs with heavy whipworms are likely to experience concerning symptoms, such as watery, bloody diarrhea, weight loss, and anemia.
Best broad-spectrum dewormer for dogs
Chewy
No other dog dewormer kills as many different types of worms as Drontal Plus.
Pros: Veterinarian recommended, kills four types of worms, safe and reliable, kills all parasites within seven days, low risk for side effects
Cons: Not for puppies younger than 3 weeks old or those weighing less than 2 pounds
Drontal Plus is a safe and effective broad-spectrum dewormer that eliminates multiple types of parasites with one dose. It kills tapeworms, hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms within seven days. Just offer the Drontal Plus Taste Tab flavored chewable tablet to your dog alone or with a small amount of food.
Drontal Plus features three powerful active ingredients: pyrantel pamoate, praziquantel, and febantel, which together cover four species of tapeworms, two species of hookworms, two species of roundworms, and whipworms.
The dewormer has a very low risk for side effects and is safe for puppies as young as 3 weeks old and weighing at least 2 pounds. It requires a prescription from your veterinarian, and a vet visit is also important because your dog may have other parasites that even a broad-spectrum dewormer can't eliminate.
When using a broad-spectrum dewormer like Drontal Plus, your dog may require one or more follow-up treatments to make sure all the worms are eliminated. If your dog has fleas, they should also be treated with a flea control product to prevent future tapeworm infections.
Best tapeworm dewormer for dogs
Chewy
A single dose of Droncit safely and quickly kills tapeworms within 24 hours.
Pros: Kills four species of tapeworms, works within 24 hours, easy-to-administer tablet, long-trusted brand, affordably priced per pill
Cons: Some dogs may experience salivation, vomiting, or diarrhea after taking; not for puppies less than 4 weeks old
One Droncit tablet works to paralyze and eliminate the four most common species of tapeworms within 24 hours. Its active ingredient, praziquantel, is effective and safe for adult dogs and puppies 4 weeks of age and older. The tablet can be fed whole or crumbled and mixed with food.
The treatment is conveniently and affordably sold per pill, unlike the other tapeworm dewormer we considered, Bayer Tapeworm Dewormer, which contains the same active ingredient praziquantel but is only sold in a five-pack.
Dogs commonly become infected with tapeworms by ingesting fleas. For this reason, it's important to treat your dog for fleas to prevent future infections.
Best oral parasite preventive for dogs
Chewy
Trifexis treats and controls three common intestinal parasites, kills adult fleas, and prevents heartworm infection with just one monthly chewable pill.
Pros: Protects against three intestinal parasites, heartworms, and adult fleas; once-monthly treatment; safe for dogs and puppies 8 weeks of age and older weighing at least 5 pounds; tablet is easy to administer
Cons: Does not kill or treat tapeworms, not labeled for use in puppies younger than 8 weeks or weighing less than 5 pounds
Our pick for best oral parasite preventive for dogs is Trifexis, a chewable tablet that treats and controls hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms. It also kills adult fleas and prevents heartworm.
Given once every 30 days, Trifexis uses spinosad and milbemycin oxime to prevent, treat, and control parasites. While it does not kill or treat tapeworms, it kills adult fleas, which are responsible for transmitting the parasite. The beef-flavored flavored chewable tablet should be given with food for maximum effectiveness.
Trifexis is safe for puppies as young as 8 weeks old and weighing at least 5 pounds. However, puppies less than 14 weeks of age might experience a higher rate of vomiting than older dogs. This parasite preventive requires a prescription from your veterinarian as well as a current negative heartworm test. It should be used with caution in dogs with a history of seizures or breeding females.
Best topical parasite preventive for dogs
Chewy
With just one simple monthly application, Advantage Multi for Dogs treats, controls, and prevents more parasites than any other topical product.
Pros: Kills and prevents six types of parasites, once-monthly treatment, easy to administer, safe for use in puppies older than 7 weeks and weighing at least 3 pounds
Cons: Does not kill ticks; not labeled for use in puppies younger than 7 weeks or breeding, pregnant, or nursing dogs
No single preventive covers every parasite that could harm your dog, but Advantage Multi comes close. Containing the active ingredients imidacloprid and moxidectin, the topical treatment prevents three common intestinal parasites: roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms. It also prevents flea infestations by killing adult fleas before they can lay eggs and prevents heartworm and mange mites.
Choosing between an oral or topical parasite product can be a tough decision. Sometimes dogs do better with one versus the other. "Some animals can't tolerate or have a food allergy to an oral product so they must use a topical," said veterinarian Melissa Smits, a partner at Fort Morgan Veterinary Clinic in Colorado. "Or their skin may be sensitive to a topical so an oral is better." If there are no tolerance issues, it usually comes down to owner preference.
Advantage Multi is easy to use: Just apply it every 30 days to your dog's skin at the base of the neck between the shoulder blades. The liquid medication is absorbed and dries within hours. Unlike with some of the other topical preventives, you do not need to wear gloves to apply Advantage Multi. If you get the product on your hands, simply wash them with soap and water. For the first 30 minutes after application, keep dogs from licking the application site, either on themselves or other treated dogs in the house. Children should not touch the application site for two hours after application.
You must obtain a prescription from your veterinarian to purchase Advantage Multi. As with all medications that prevent heartworm, your dog needs a heartworm test prior starting Advantage Multi and annually thereafter.
Other dog dewormers we considered
Bayer Tapeworm Dog Dewormer: This product contains the same active ingredient (praziquantel) as our top choice for tapeworms, Droncit, but it's only sold in a five-pack unlike Droncit which is affordably priced per pill.
Heartgard Plus: Given monthly, Heartgard Plus (ivermectin and pyrantel) treats and controls heartworms, hookworms, and roundworms. Our top pick for best oral preventive, Trifexis, is effective against an additional parasite: adult fleas, which are also responsible for transmitting tapeworm. Heartgard requires a prescription from your veterinarian and a current negative heartworm test.
Interceptor Plus: Given monthly, Interceptor Plus (milbemycin oxime and praziquantel) treats and controls roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, and whipworms and also prevents heartworms. Trifexis beat out Interceptor Plus because it kills adult fleas in addition to preventing three common intestinal parasites and heartworm. Although Trifexis doesn't prevent tapeworms, it kills fleas, which transmit tapeworms. Interceptor Plus requires a prescription from your veterinarian and a current negative heartworm test.
Iverhart Max Soft Chews: Given monthly, Iverhart Max treats and prevents heartworms, tapeworms, roundworms, and hookworms. It does not prevent whipworms or kill fleas like Trifexis. Iverhart Max requires a prescription from your veterinarian and a current negative heartworm test.
Sentinel Spectrum: Given monthly, Sentinel Spectrum treats and controls tapeworms, roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, heartworm, flea larvae, and flea eggs — almost as many parasites as our category winner Trifexis. Trifexis doesn't prevent tapeworms, but we gave it a slight edge because it kills adult fleas, which transmit tapeworms. Sentinel Spectrum requires a prescription from your veterinarian and a current negative heartworm test.
Simparica Trio: Simparica Trio treats, controls, and prevents more parasites than any other oral product, including adult fleas, flea larvae, ticks, heartworm, hookworms, roundworms, mange mite, and chewing lice. However, because intestinal parasites are the primary consideration in this guide, Trifexis gets the nod for preventing three intestinal parasites compared to Simparica Trio's two. Simparica Trio requires a prescription from your veterinarian and a current negative heartworm test.
Dog dewormer FAQs
SeventyFour/Getty Images
What is the most effective dewormer for dogs?Although different parasite preventives cover many different parasites, no one product covers every single internal and external parasite that could affect your dog. Talk to your veterinarian to help you decide which product will be best for your dog. "This is the most important part of having a relationship with a veterinarian in your area," Smits said. "We are trained to know what parasite problems we have in our area are, what lifestyle risks are important to consider, and overall, what is best for an individual pet and lifestyle."
Can I deworm my dog myself?Even though some dewormers are available without a prescription, do not skip the vet visit since different drugs treat different worms. Your vet will perform a physical exam and a fecal test to determine what type of worms they have. "Not all intestinal parasites are created equal and there is not a one-size-fits-all when it comes to deworming medications," Lay said. Although a broad-spectrum dewormer kills several different types of worms, certain single-celled microscopic parasites (protozoa), including coccidia and Giardia, are not true worms. They require different prescription medications to treat them. Your dog also might need follow-up deworming and another fecal exam to ensure no parasites remain.
Do natural dewormers work for dogs?Natural dewormers aren't necessarily a better option, so you should check with your veterinarian before giving one to your dog. "While 'natural' deworming products may have some effect on intestinal parasites, I've consulted with numerous clients over the years who have tried them with repeated failure," Lay said. She added that conventional, veterinarian-recommended dewormers have gone through stringent drug trials and studies to prove they are effective and safe to use.
What can I give my dog to prevent worms?Veterinarians recommend keeping dogs on a broad-spectrum parasite preventive all year, not only in the spring and summer months. Different parasites are active during different months, and parasite activity varies. Parasites can also become active earlier than expected, including during the winter. "Many adult dogs may be asymptomatic carriers," according to Kelley Lay, a relief veterinarian who practices in Nashville, Tennessee. "Parasites are not always able to be seen in feces and so you may not even know the problem is there. This can lead to infections that linger undetected for a long time."
Types of worms and their signs and symptoms
Christiane Bongertz/EyeEm/Getty Images
Most dogs will contract intestinal parasites at some point in their lives. Some of the most common worms seen in dogs are roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, and whipworms. In adult dogs, parasite infestations may cause mild to moderate digestive symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and gas. However, heavy infestations, especially in young puppies, can lead to severe issues.
"They can cause intestinal problems, malnutrition, anemia, growth problems in puppies, and even potential autoimmune issues," Smits said. "Also important is the zoonotic risk — potential spread to human family members."
Roundworms: These parasites are common in dogs, especially puppies, and are 3- to 6-inches long, smooth, and round-bodied. You might not know your dog has roundworms, particularly if they have only a few. In puppies, large numbers of worms may cause a pot-bellied appearance, vomiting, diarrhea, low appetite, dull coat, and restricted growth. You might also see roundworms in your dog's stool or vomit. Roundworms are zoonotic, which means they can be spread to human family members.
Tapeworms: Dogs pick up tapeworms when they ingest an infected adult flea. As the tapeworm grows, segments break off and pass in your dog's stool. If you see something in your dog's feces that resembles grains of white rice, or you notice them licking or biting the area under their tail, they could have a tapeworm infestation.
Hookworms: Hookworms are blood-sucking parasites that attach to the wall of the intestines. These tiny worms are nearly invisible without the assistance of a microscope. Signs of hookworm infection in dogs include anemia, weight loss, bloody diarrhea, dull coat, and growth restriction. Hookworms are zoonotic so they can be spread to human family members.
Whipworms: Whipworms are relatively large intestinal parasites (about a ¼-inch long) that reside in the cecum and large intestine, where they wreak serious havoc. Dogs with heavy whipworms are likely to experience concerning symptoms, such as watery, bloody diarrhea, weight loss, and anemia.
How we selected the best dewormers
While researching and writing this guide, I drew from my eight years of experience as an assistant in veterinary hospitals and two decades of experience as a writer and editor in the pet and veterinary fields. I conducted research using the quick product reference guide published by the independent, nonprofit Companion Animal Parasite Council. This helpful reference, which includes all FDA- and EPA-approved parasite control products for small animals, lists each product's active ingredients, how the product is used, and which parasites it controls.
Here are the main attributes I looked for:
Safety and efficacy: Only FDA-approved products were considered for this guide.
Number of parasites treated: In general, products that covered more parasites received higher ratings. This did not apply to tapeworm dewormers, which are only intended to treat one parasite.
Ease of use: Products received lower ratings if they were more complicated to use than a similar product. An example: Lower ratings were given if gloves must be worn to apply the product or if children and pets need to be kept away from the treated animal for a period of time after application.
Minimum age/weight: When comparing similar products, higher ratings went to preventives that can be used in younger animals.
Our expert sources
We consulted with two licensed veterinarians for advice regarding the treatment and prevention of intestinal parasites like tapeworms, roundworms, and hookworms as well as heartworms and ectoparasites like fleas, ticks, and mites. Although this information guided us in our product selection, our experts did not specifically endorse or recommend any of the products in this guide.
Melissa Smits, DVM, partner at Fort Morgan Vet Clinic
Kelley Lay, DVM, a relief veterinarian and student program director and operational coach at Blue Heron Consulting
Read the original article on Business Insider
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