While these monthly products provide important protection against fleas, ticks and heartworm, their intestinal worming coverage can be a point of weakness. Some don’t treat tapeworm infections at all, and others may not be reliably effective against the common worm types.

What intestinal worms should dogs be protected against?

Dogs who go outdoors are recommended to have protection against four types of worms: roundworm, hookworm, whipworm and tapeworm.

The most common type of tapeworm is flea tapeworm, but pets can also pick up another hardier type of tapeworm called zipper worm. Dogs in rural environments may also need regular protection against hydatid tapeworms, particularly since hydatid infection can pose a significant risk to people too.

What symptoms can worm infections cause in dogs?

Dogs with intestinal worms can show symptoms of recurrent diarrhoea or bottom itching. Pets with large worm burdens may even vomit or poo out whole worms or tapeworm segments (which look like grains of rice), and may have a pot belly, poor coat condition and poor body condition (or, in the case of puppies, inadequate weight gain).

Additionally, hookworm and whipworm attach to the walls of the gut and feed on the host pet’s blood, which can cause serious anaemia (low red blood cell levels).

What protection does my dog require?

This will depend on your dog’s particular lifestyle. In general, pups are recommended to be dewormed every two weeks until they’re 12 weeks old, then monthly until they’re 6 months old. From there, your pet may require additional deworming treatment every 3 months (or every 6 weeks for hydatid protection), or they may simply require regular poo tests to screen for worm eggs.

For personalised recommendations on effective worm protection for your pet, consult our knowledgeable vets.