Worming

Why do dogs need to be wormed every six months, even though there is no evidence of worms?

How harmful (or not) are the worming preparations?

Yep I've been wondering about that for a while too

Glad you asked LS

I have never wormed my dogs

Luck Star it is believed dogs pick up worms from other dogs/animals when scavenging around I think they certainly do as puppies.

As they get older I am not so sure it is necessary to worm dogs quite so often although it is a risk not to do so to a certain extent because some types of worms are transferable to humans and if you have small children around you need to take care. You can not always see evidence of worms but that does not mean they are not there. You can take a sample of dog faeces to the vet for testing and he will get it analysed and tell you if worming is needed at that time.

So is it better not to worm, and just have a fecal analysis every once in a while instead?

We have no kids or anything, so....

Our vet recommends worming every three months which I do as I have 3 children and the dogs sleep on the beds. Finn likes to eat dead birds, which I try my hardest to avoid so its probably best he gets wormed

Gives me something to think about whether it is necessary

Tuti I think it depends on the dog/age/where you live to a certain extent...most puppies are born with roundworms ,it is important to worm puppies and young dogs or worms can make them very ill and stop their growth...also don't forget fleas/ticks/lice spread worms as they pass from one animal to another and some worm species can make both dogs and humans very ill .

Thank you - that's helped clear things up a bit.

I have had a look for wriggling things (oh the shame of it ) but I guess that's not enough .

No lucky Star they do not always look like wriggly things in fact tape worms are shed in tiny segments in flat white cushion shapes

Ew! :smt103
Thanks Mini - you are a star!