Undoubtedly, there is an irresistible fondness for puppies throughout the world. These beautiful, cute and heart-melting creatures hold a constant desire to be adopted as pets amongst many of us. However, these little balls of furs require immense care and nurturing throughout their lives and to begin with, let us talk about the first phase in this process, i.e., deworming of puppies.
One of the most common health problems associated with dogs or puppies is worm infection. In fact, a large number of puppies are born with this infestation, which is often passed on to them via the dormant larvae that reside in their mother’s uterus. Usually, puppies are infected with roundworms or tapeworms that can have a nasty effect on their health. Hence, it is recommended to deworm these species from an early age of about two weeks, to ensure their happy tail wagging. Knows more ‘how to deworm a puppy naturally?’ in this article.
People usually resort to natural ways for deworming their puppies, so that they can relegate the unwanted side-effects of drugs or vaccines on these babies. Yet, before adopting a remedy, it is essential to study and observe the symptoms of worm infection on puppies, which was well explained in our last article “How to Tell if a Puppy Has Worms?”. Some of the common symptoms can be vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, itchiness or skin irritations, and most clearly visible worms in furs or stool.
Luckily, there are some practical and natural ways to rescue these puppies from worm infection. Surprisingly, these remedies involve some of the most common food items or vegetables that are readily available to each one of us.
What are those natural remedies for worms?
Natural treatment against worm infection not only eradicates the infestation but also enhances the immunity and digestive strength in puppies. Moreover, it is recommended to adopt a raw diet for these babies rather than packaged pet foods, as the latter is considered to be infested with parasites, that usually feed on the starchy kibbles.
Some of the naturally available and excellent deworming foods are:
1. Fermented Vegetables
This probiotic-rich diet helps to boost the gut microbiome thereby having a remarkable effect on the health of the puppies. Feeding a puppy with fermented vegetables or fruits can be one of the safest and effective ways for deworming them.
There are a lot of fermented vegetables readily available in the market, but nevertheless, we can always choose some of our own recipes to feed these little babies. One of the most straightforward recipes for homemade fermented veggies is listed below:
Ingredients
- 1 carrot
- 1 green cabbage
- 1 red cabbage
- 2 tbsp of sea salt
- water
Instructions:
- Chop the vegetables into thin slices.
- Put them in an airtight jar, leaving sufficient space for the brine.
- Add water along with salt into the jar.
- Keep it away for a few days so that it can undergo fermentation.
- Once, the veggies have attained the desired texture, your fermented veg salad is ready.
- Keep this jar in your refrigerator for more prolonged use.
However, it is essential to start with a small dose such as a tablespoon for pups, to check the response and effect of this diet on your dog.
Note that, Kefir can also act as an excellent alternative to fermented veggies unless your dog is lactose-intolerant. It is advised to use non-dairy sources such as coconut milk kefir or almond milk kefir as a probiotic for your dog’s healthy gut.
2. Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds are enriched with amino acid, fibers, proteins and vitamins that can have an excellent effect on the health of your puppy and also it could be a natural dewormer for dogs.
Notably, the amino acid (namely cucurbitin) present in these seeds, is well-known for its deworming effects on dogs. It is strongly recommended to rely only on the use of raw or organic seeds because canned seeds usually contain added sugar or table salt, which can have harmful effects on these furry babies.
Pumpkin seeds can be served to these pups as per their preference, such as:
- Feed these seeds as a treat to your dogs, or
- Grind the seeds and mix a tablespoon of the mixture to your dog’s meal.
- You can also opt for pumpkin squeak treats for your dogs.
3. Garlic
Garlic has a widespread reputation in boosting the immune system, because of its antibacterial and antiseptic properties. However, it is vital to ensure the optimality of the amount being served to your dog. When served in a moderate amount, garlic can help to eliminate worms as well as reduce bad cholesterol in pups.
Minced Garlic can be added to your dog’s meal, however, make sure, to begin with, one clove per day.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar
It helps to boost the alkalinity in the gut environment, thereby making it hostile for worms or parasite infestation. The biological factors associated with this fermented juice inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, thereby improving the overall health of your puppy.
The vinegar can be supplied to puppies in mainly two ways:
- Spray your dog with a 1:1 diluted solution of apple cider vinegar.
- Add about 1 to 2 tablespoon of this vinegar to your dog’s food or water.
Note: Make sure that you use a diluted solution of this vinegar in all cases, to prevent any harsh side-effects on these babies.
5. Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO)
One of the easiest and efficient ways to deworm your dog is to prepare their meal using virgin coconut oil. Virgin coconut oils or VCOs basically helps to flush the blockage caused by the presence of intestinal roundworms. It, in fact, eradicates most of the gastrointestinal disorders, thereby promoting your dog’s gut health.
The best way to serve it would be to prepare your dog’s meal in 1 tablespoon of VCO daily or just to spray it to their fermented veggie salad.
6. Papaya
Papaya has anthelmintic properties which makes it a suitable choice for deworming puppies. Including it in your dog’s diet can act as a natural source of an enzyme(namely papain) that fights against worms, especially tapeworm infestation.
Papaya can be served as:
- Organic chewable pill, which is always a practical and hassle-free option.
- Crushed papaya seeds can be added to your dog’s food or add the seed powder to their drinking water or wet supplements.
- You can also serve chopped papaya fruit directly to these animals
7. Pomegranate
Pomegranate is a rich source of antioxidants and vitamin C, hence acting as a health booster. Apart from these, it also aids in getting rid of tapeworms that reside in your pet’s GI tract. It is readily available in the market and can be molded into delicious treats for your pups.
It can be served in the form of:
- Crushed seeds; which can be added to your dog’s meal or,
- A delicious batch of pomegranate cookie treats is always a fabulous choice. The recipe is as follows:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups flour
- 2 tablespoons of milk
- 3/4 cup pomegranate juice
- egg
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven at 180-350 degree Celsius.
- Knead the dough by mixing all the ingredients.
- Roll the dough on a parchment paper.
- Give shape to the cookie by using a cookie cutter.
- Place in oven and bake for 12-15 minutes.
- Once done, let it cool for an hour or so.
- Keep it in an airtight container and store it in your refrigerator for further use.
8. Cucumber
Cucumber is well known for its cooling and cleansing effects, but it also can be a natural dewormer for dogs. Adding it in your dog’s diet will lead to a clean gut, thus restricting the growth of unwanted parasites.
Add grated or small slices of cucumber to your dog’s meal. It is one of the most convenient ways to include it in your puppy’s diet.
There are several other natural sources such as walnuts, cloves, fennels and many others that act as excellent deworming agent for dogs. However, all these supplements must be provided in moderate amounts, and their use must be monitored and regulated as per the response and improvement in your pup’s health.
It is also advised to always consult a veterinary professional before including any alien ingredient to your dog’s diet. Moreover, in cases of severe or persistent infestation, it becomes essential to subject the puppy to medicines and drugs that are used for deworming “What is The Best Dewormer Medicine for Puppies?“ is a well-informed article to help you through this, thereby leading to a healthy, happy and fun life for your dogs.
