Deworming , both internal and external, is very important for the health of dogs . But it is also essential for puppies since they do not yet have a strong immune system and a parasite infection can become complicated. Young dogs are much more vulnerable than adult dogs, so it is essential to know how to deworm puppies and when to do it .
For this reason, we have prepared this complete guide on deworming puppies. Take note!
What is the danger of parasites in puppies?
Internal parasites can cause diarrhea and vomiting in your puppy. This can lead to dehydration, which is dangerous for a puppy’s young age. External parasites , on the other hand , not only itch, irritate and are annoying, but some also feed on the animal’s blood and transmit other microorganisms that cause deadly diseases by entering the animal’s bloodstream. Both infestations can cause serious illness and even death.
When to deworm a puppy?
The first deworming of puppies is internal and should be done at 15 days of age. However, if the mother is healthy and dewormed, and they are in a hygienic and controlled environment, it could be done at 21-30 days. External deworming should wait until 2 months, but if before this time there are fleas or ticks, you can take the puppy to the vet for treatment.
The first deworming consists of several doses ; after the first, it should be repeated every 15 days until two weeks after weaning (around 3 months).
It is important that the mother is dewormed , since internal parasites can be transmitted to the puppies even before they are born, inside the womb itself.
How to deworm a puppy?
Nowadays it is very easy to deworm your puppy yourself, but it should always be under the supervision and recommendation of a veterinarian . There are many antiparasitic products suitable for different needs and it is important to choose the best one for your little one. Choosing one format or another will also depend on the size of the dog, as sometimes it will be more convenient to give, for example, a pill than a syrup, or vice versa.
Internal deworming in puppies: How is it done?
The process for deworming a puppy internally is as simple as holding your puppy with one hand and, with the other, giving him the appropriate dose with a syringe, placing it on the side of his mouth and making sure he swallows everything. The amount of medication will always depend on the weight of the puppy, so it is important that you follow the veterinarian ‘s instructions .
Deworming pills for puppies
The tablets can be given in two different ways: directly into the mouth or mixed with food. To give it directly, we will have to open the puppy’s mouth and introduce the tablet at the end of the tongue; to avoid the puppy throwing it up, it is important to close the mouth immediately after introducing the tablet and massage the throat to make it easier for the puppy to swallow it. If this is too tedious for you, you can put the tablet in wet food, pate, cheese or a piece of sausage.
There are also palatable tablets that are like treats, so that puppies will eat them with pleasure and you don’t have to find ways to give them to them.
Syrups to deworm puppies
For internal deworming, palatable syrups or pastes for puppies are usually used, since their young organisms assimilate them better than tablets. It is advisable to perform a stool analysis beforehand to check whether or not the puppy is parasitized, and if so, to determine what type of parasites it has.
Intestinal parasites are not difficult to eliminate if we detect and treat them in time, so we recommend that you read our post “ How do I know if my dog has intestinal parasites? ”.
External deworming in puppies: What are the options?
Keeping puppies free of parasites is crucial to their health and happiness. In this section, we dive into the various external deworming alternatives available for puppies.
We also recommend that you read the following post with a comparison between pipettes, antiparasitic collars and sprays where we give you detailed information and important considerations for each option.
When the puppy is less than 2 months old, you should consult with your veterinarian about how to deworm it externally, since most antiparasitics are for use starting at this age and could be harmful to its health if used before then.
Antiparasitic sprays for puppies
With antiparasitic sprays for dogs , you only have to spray it on the body and rub it against the grain so that it reaches the skin well. Be careful not to do it on the eyes or mouth; to apply it on the face area, you can use your hand to spread it, so there are no risks. It is a safe and effective method for puppies that can be used from a very early age.
If we are going to apply it by hand, it is ideal to use gloves , and preferably do so in a well-ventilated area.
Antiparasitic collars for puppies
Flea collars are a convenient and effective alternative to protect puppies from fleas, ticks and mites. To learn more about how to get rid of fleas on a dog , don’t miss this post.
Before using a flea collar on your puppy, it is essential to consult with a veterinarian . They will be able to offer specific recommendations on whether it is suitable and which collar would be most recommended for your particular puppy.
It is important to consider that if your puppy tends to chew on objects or play actively, you should carefully consider the option of a flea collar. This is because these collars contain chemicals to repel parasites, and should not be chewed or ingested.
Additionally, it is essential to take into account your puppy’s particular physical conditions . For example, if your puppy has skin allergies, diabetes , or another health problem, he might be more susceptible to certain ingredients or materials present in the flea collar, which could affect his health.
