Deworming schedule for dogs and cats

Why shouldn't you miss Deworming Sessions of your Dog?

Reading the title, you must be wondering what kind of pet parent would not get their dog dewormed or maybe, every pet parent knows about deworming. Well, if you have such thoughts too, reconsider. Do you really know the deworming schedule that needs to be followed for your beloved pet?

Well, yes. There is a whole deworming schedule that ensures no worms are living inside your beloved pets. If you are a pet parent or planning on becoming one, this is the right time to know the importance of deworming, and how and when it's done. Keep reading to know why is deworming crucial for your pet and what is the right schedule to follow.

Why is Deworming So Crucial?

Being a pet parent, you are probably aware of all the damage that lack of timely deworming can do to your pet. For those unaware of it- Diarrhea and excessive vomiting are the most common problems your dog might have to face. Deadly diseases could be transmitted to your pet, leading to only pain and deteriorated health of your pet.

Apart from being dangerous for your pet, lack of deworming is dangerous for you & your family as well. When dogs lick our hands & face out of love, they might transfer some of their worms to our bodies. This may lead to infections and rooting other diseases in you and your family. It may get serious if the infected person is a kid or senior citizen.

Can You Detect Worms in Your Pet?

Like any other medical condition, you can look for specific symptoms to detect whether or not your pet has worms. These symptoms can be fatigue, sudden weight loss, appetite loss, vomiting, pale gums, bloated belly (while the rest of your pet's body seems skinny), worms around the anal, or blood in their faeces.

You could also find visible worms in their faeces. The following worms are some of the common ones that can be found.

• Roundworms:

  These are light-brown & off-white coloured worms that can be seen in a dog's poop like spaghetti. These worms can get into your pet through dirt, mud, or even from their mommy's belly.

• Hookworms:

  These look like thin strings in faeces with a white or reddish-brown colour. It's usually very hard to identify them with the naked eye but symptoms like anaemia, diarrhoea, and weakness indicate their presence. These worms commonly travel through wet grass and sand.

• Tapeworms:

  These worms usually cause irritation around the anal area in dogs. You may notice them in the form of rice grains in your dog's poop or around their anal area. They most commonly get into dogs through fleas.

If you notice such visible worms in your pet's faeces or any symptoms mentioned above, the best decision would be to get a vet appointment as soon as possible.

Is there a Deworming Schedule?

This is what most pet parents miss. We all know how important deworming is, yet we overlook deworming schedules. But it's never too late when you wish to give the best healthcare to your pet. Refer to the table below to learn the detailed plan for deworming your furry friend.

Tablets recommended by our vet:

Kuddle vet Dr. Anukarna Singh suggests getting the deworming medication checked with a vet when choosing for a pup (0 to 4-month-old). For dogs with 10kg of body weight, 1 tablet of Skyworm, Drontal plus, or Canworm would work. In the case of dogs with 35kg of body weight, 1 tablet of Worex XL or Kiwof XL can be chosen.

If you have cats in your home, their deworming is also as crucial- but not with dog deworming tablets. Cat-specific deworming medications should be chosen for cats. Deworming tablets commonly available for cats in the Indian subcontinent are kiwof/ feli d. 1 tablet would be sufficient for a 4 kg and above cat.

How to Deworm?

If directly feeding tablets or syrup doesn't work for your dog, you can try hiding the tablet in their meal. However, wait until your pet gets super hungry and then offer them a small portion of their meal- mixed with the medicine. This way, your dog probably won't notice the medicine in their meal & will finish that small portion quickly out of hunger.

If your dog is way too smart to get tricked by tabletted food, you may have to give them the tablet directly and then offer them their favourite snack to distract them. The same goes for a cat. You can also get a spot-on for cats if they don't like direct medications.

Is Your Doggy Dewormed?

Whatever may be the answer to this question, what matters more is that you deworm your pet at the right intervals and don't miss any sessions. Want more information and consultation from a vet regarding your pet's deworming schedule? Kuddle is right here to help you. You can schedule video vet consultation and get expert advice from any part of the world. Get in touch with us and let's make pet parenting a smooth, fun, & healthy ride for you.