Getting a puppy home is one of the most joyous and exhilarating moments for any pet parent. Their small paws , playfulness, and loving snuggles instantly capture our hearts. As caring pet parents, their welfare takes precedence over anything else, and one of the most asked questions by new pet parents is: If my puppy lives indoors, do they still need deworming?

It would be understandable to think that housing a puppy indoors would keep them safe from worms and parasites, but the reality is that even the most protected indoor puppies are not immune. Worms are crafty parasites that will find their way into your home in methods you may not even imagine, and they are a serious health threat to both humans and animals.

In this post, we will discuss why deworming is essential for puppies, how they can develop worms even if they never go outside, and the dos and don'ts of keeping your fur baby healthy. If you've been wondering whether indoor puppies require deworming, keep reading to know everything you need to know.

It's the removal of worms, which are living in the puppy's gut, through the use of medication. They might have entered the puppy's body in various ways: by infected food and water, soil, or even from the mother puppy before birth or during breastfeeding. Deworming is the giving of anthelmintic drugs in cycles to remove, and prevent infestation by worms, and ensure your puppy is healthy in general.

Deworming is an integral constituent of any complete pet care scheme because intestinal parasites induce malnutrition, growth problems, and even serious medical complications. As puppies are more prone to infection, following a schedule of regular deworming prevents the infantile system from further vulnerability and keeps them strong and active.

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1. Prevents Severe Health Complications

Worm infestations can cause malnutrition, anemia, and gastrointestinal disease. Advanced worm infestations, if left untreated, can lead to lethal intestinal obstruction.

2. Protects Human Health

Certain worms, such as roundworms and hookworms, may be transmitted from animals to human beings, specifically young children and individuals with weak immune systems. Deworming your puppy makes your home worm-free.

3. Encourages Healthy Growth and Development

Puppies lose vital nutrients to the worms, and this results in stunted growth, weakness, and delays. Deworming guarantees that they receive the proper nutrition to grow healthy and strong.

4. Stops Transmission to Other Pets

If you own more than one pet at home, an infested puppy has an easy way of transferring worms to their hair siblings. Frequent deworming prevents reinfestation and maintains your pet's health.

A myth popular among dog owners is that house puppies are not at risk for parasites. But the truth is otherwise. Puppies can become infected with worms from some unconventional sources even without going out of the house. Here's why:

1. Mother-Puppy Transmission

One of the most prevalent means of puppies contracting worms is from the mother. If the mother is infected, she can transmit the worms to the puppies prior to birth via the placenta or after birth through her milk. What this translates to is that even if your puppy has never set foot outside, it may have been born with worms.

2. Infected Surfaces and Items

Worm eggs and larvae can last a long time on different surfaces. Even within your house, worm eggs can survive on the floor, furniture, carpets, or even human skin. If the puppy licks or sniffs an infected surface, it's easy for them to ingest eggs and get infested.

3. Fleas and Other Pests

Fleas are infamous for carrying tapeworms. If a tapeworm-carrying flea gets into your house and your puppy swallows it during grooming, the tapeworm can grow within their intestines. Fleas may get into homes on other pets, guests, or human clothing.

4. Interaction with Other Pets

If you already have other pets in your house, there's a possibility they might be carrying parasites even without symptoms. Food and water bowls, bedding, or proximity can easily cause transmission. Even if your puppy does not venture outside, they can still get exposed through interaction with other pets in the house.

5. Human Transmission

Hard to believe, but humans unwittingly bring worm eggs into the home. Worm eggs can become stuck on shoes, clothing, or even hands upon contact with infested soil or surfaces. You go for a walk in a park, someone else's home with another pet or a vet office, and before you know it, you bring microscopic worm eggs into your own home.

Identifying the presence of a worm infestation in puppies is very important as it helps to intervene on time. If left untreated, worms may cause other serious health conditions that affect the growth and development of a puppy. Some of the common signs that may indicate your puppy has worms are:

• Dull Coat and General Lousy Condition: A Healthy puppy shall have a shiny and smooth coat. If your puppies have dull, rough, or unhealthy fur, there is a chance that worms are impairing their nutritional intake.

• Diarrhea or Vomiting: Frequent loose stools containing worms and associated with vomiting might be an indicator of intestinal parasites.

• Weight Loss Despite Good Appetite: If your puppy is eating great but still losing weight, then worms are most likely stealing those nutrients from the body.

• Visible Worms in Stool or around the anus: Some types of worms such as tapeworms and roundworms may be observable in your puppy's stool or even around his rear end.

• Bloated Abdomen: An inflated or enlarged belly is one of the primary symptoms of infestation by worms, especially among younger puppies.

For more information, read Is Your Dog in Danger? Quick Tips for Spotting and Handling Poisoning: A Must-Read for Pet Parents

If you notice any of these symptoms, taking your puppy to the veterinarian for a fecal examination and proper deworming treatment is very important. If you live in Bangalore you can visit Supertails+ Clinic .  This is Bengaluru’s first pet clinic with Fear-Free Certified Vets, we provide expert guidance on vaccinations and health checks. To ensure your puppy receives the best care, Supertails offers professional online consultations with expert veterinarians who can guide you through the vaccination process and overall puppy health. Book an online consultation today to keep your furry friend safe!

Vets advise sticking to a systematic deworming routine so that your puppy stays free of parasites. Here's a step-by-step explanation of what each phase involves:

2 Weeks of Age

• Puppies should be dewormed when they are about two weeks old because they can acquire worms from their mother. This occurred during gestation or even when nursing.

• The most common dewormers include pyrantel pamoate and fenbendazole. They target the most common intestinal worms.

• It effectively kills roundworms and hookworms, which are the most common parasites found in newborn puppies. Such worms are dangerous and lead to severe diseases if not treated.

• At this stage, worm infestations cause digestive distress, weight loss, bloating, and anemia, so timely deworming is essential for proper growth and development.

• The puppies are most vulnerable at this stage, and maintaining a clean and sanitary environment can prevent re-infestation.

4 Weeks of Age

• A deworming repeat is required after a few weeks to eliminate all the remaining and newly acquired parasites from the primary treatment.

• When the puppy is still nursing, ensure that the mother is also dewormed to avoid re-infection as puppies can get parasites through the milk.

• Check your puppy for signs of worms, such as a swollen abdomen, poor appetite, diarrhea, or vomiting, which may suggest a heavy worm burden.

• Some breeders and veterinarians suggest initiating fecal tests at this stage so that the presence of specific parasites can be known and treated appropriately.

• Keeping the living space of the puppy clean, including the beddings and feeding areas, reduces the risk of re-infestation.

• At this stage, puppies are highly vulnerable. Keeping their living space clean helps prevent re-infestation.

6-8 Weeks of Age

• The deworming schedule of puppies should be twice a week up until they are 8 weeks old so that any newly acquired or surviving worms are destroyed before they mature.

• Introduce the broad-spectrum dewormer which should target all of the several parasites, such as roundworms, hookworms, and even whipworms.

• Worm infestations can weaken the immune system, interfere with nutrient absorption, and lead to stunted growth, making deworming at this stage essential for overall health.

• This is a critical stage since if worms are not addressed, it may result in parasitic resistance and chronic infestation that requires stronger forms of treatment later on.

• At this point, puppies start to become more venturesome with their surroundings, thus getting higher potential exposure from contaminants in soil, water, or feces, so keeping the area clean becomes important.

12 Weeks of Age

• At three months, deworming treatment needs to be continued to disrupt the life cycle of the parasites further.

• Routine fecal testing begins at this point to monitor levels of parasites present and ensure deworming treatment is effective enough to eliminate worms.

• Some specific parasites, for example, Giardia and Coccidia, require treatment beyond the normal deworming agents since they are microscopic entities that cause grave digestive problems.

• Puppies that spend time outdoors, in dog parks, or around other animals should be monitored closely for signs of worms.

• If a puppy continues to experience diarrhea or vomiting after deworming, a veterinarian should be consulted to rule out other gastrointestinal issues.

6 Months & 12 Months of Age

• Continue deworming every 3 to 6 months throughout the puppy's first year according to the exposure of the puppy to possible parasites.

• Heartworm, roundworm, tapeworm, and whipworm can be prevented due to the predomination of other worms at certain ages of a dog's life.

• Medications for heartworm prevention should begin because heartworms are delivered through mosquito bites and cause major heart and lung disease if they are not inhibited.

• Ensure your puppy has a regular preventive care program. This may include routine vaccinations, flea and tick prevention, and check-ups at the vet for general health.

• Parasite prevention can be consistent if the fecal exams are periodic, hygiene is good, and contaminated areas are reduced.

• Some breeds are more susceptible to parasitic infections, so breed-specific risks and prevention methods are advisable to be discussed with the vet.

The most vital preventive measure so that your puppy grows up healthy strong and safe from worms is prevention. The following are the essential preventions to take.

1. Keep the living spaces and bedding clean: Clean the bedding, toys, and living areas of your puppy regularly to prevent exposure to worms. Proper waste disposal and sanitation reduce the chances of transmission of worms.

2. Keep Your Puppy Away from Filthy Places: Never let your puppy roam in filthy yards, dog kennels, and public parks where other pets poop.

3. Follow a regular deworming schedule : This is deworming that is done in regular intervals that the veterinarian prescribed for your puppy. Consistency will eliminate all existing parasites while preventing reinfection.

4. Frequent vet visits and fecal exams: Worms may be detected early if your puppy goes to the vet on a regular basis for fecal exams. Depending on your puppy's lifestyle, your vet will suggest the ideal deworming and preventive strategy.

5. Make sure to supply your puppy with fresh: clean water and the best quality of dog food so that its immunity is strengthened. Infestation by worms is a very prevalent condition and usually develops due to contaminated food and water.

Even if your puppy is at home all day, they are still likely to get worms. Parasites come into your house in the most unlikely ways, and avoiding infestations is important for the health and wellbeing of your puppy. Regular deworming, combined with cleanliness and preventive treatment, ensures that your pet grows up to be a happy, healthy friend.

Supertails+ is committed to providing you with expert advice on caring for your pet and good-quality products to ensure that your puppy remains safe. If you are unsure whether or not your puppy needs deworming, consult a veterinarian today!

Does your pup require deworming? Schedule a vet appointment with Supertails+ today!

1. If I miss a dose of deworming, what happens?

Missing a dose can be a chance of getting re-infestation and possible health hazards in your puppy. In case you miss it, take it as soon as you can and follow up on the medication schedule. Ongoing missed dosages can have you restarting this treatment course while consulting with the veterinarian. In addition, this will be to ensure timely deworming with protection against all parasites.

2. What are the side effects of deworming a puppy?

Milder side effects are diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, and temporary loss of appetite, up to 24 hours. Symptoms are due to the body removing worms and readjusting to the medication. Rarely, an allergic reaction might be evident, such as excessive drooling or swelling. If symptoms continue for more than a day or worsen, a veterinarian should be consulted.