The best dog dewormer review

Worms in dogs is one of the most common problems among pet owners that veterinarians see today. If this is the case with you, you’re going to have to use one of these best dog dewormer tools to rid your dog of unwanted parasites.

Dog dewormers come in many different forms. You’ll find tablets, liquid dewormers and powder forms as well. As long as you choose a healthy and effective product, the type that you choose is really just a matter of preference

No matter which type of worm your dog is infested with, the symptoms are typically the same. They include:

• Diarrhea (possibly with blood)
• Dry hair
• Weight loss
• Overall poor appearance
• Vomiting

You may also notice worms in your dog’s stool or vomit. Still, some worm infestations can have little or no symptoms at all. In fact, there are certain species of worm larvae or eggs that can lie dormant inside your pet’s body. They will become activated during times of stress or, as is the case with certain species of hookworms and roundworms, during the later stages of pregnancy when they activate and infest the puppies in the womb [1].

To put it simply, worms are bad news and you want to get them out of your dog as quickly as possible.

Prevention is key as well. Dogs contract worms by ingesting them, so you want to try to prevent your dog from eating dirt or stool whenever possible. This isn’t an issue for every dog, but unfortunately there are many canines that will eat disgusting things whenever they get the chance.

If your dog is one who forages for poo or digs and eats dirt on a regular basis, you won’t be able to prevent it completely. In this case, you’ll want to be sure to observe your dog for signs of worms all the time. It may also be best to give your pet the best dog dewormer on a regular basis to prevent infestation. You’ll need to talk with your veterinarian to form a preventative plan.

In case Sergeant’s Vetscription Worm-Away 7 isn’t available, I would suggest trying Pro-Sense Safe-Guard 4 Canine Dewormer. This is another product that will rid your canine companion of all four common types of worms. This wormer comes in powder form and you mix it with your pet’s food. It works great with canned food, but you may need to moisten dry food a bit to aid in the mixing process. You need to treat your dog with this product for three consecutive days in order for it to be effective.

Need help with giving your dog medicine and pills?

Dog parents often struggle and don’t know how to give a dog medicine, vitamins or supplements. It’s a common issue most of us deal with at some point. Fortunately, there’s a way to do this which you can see in this our video and written guide. For more actionable doggy tips, subscribe to our YouTube channel.

FULL GUIDE: How To Give A Dog Medicine and Vitamins – Actionable Tips

The Best Dog DeWormer

Sergeant’s Vetscription Worm-Away 7 Review

There are multiple formulas of Sergeant’s Vetscription Worm-Away 7. Since I have two large breed dogs, I ordered the pills that are made for dogs weighing more than 25 pounds. If you have a small breed or a puppy, you’ll need to order the pills for dogs weighing between 6 and 25 pounds.

As I mention in my video review, you should consult your veterinarian before using any type of deworming product on your dog.

Especially if your dog is right on the line between the lower dosage and the higher dosage, you’ll want to seek veterinary care before using any product like this one from Sergeant’s for your pet. Your vet will know your dog’s medical history and his individual needs. She will also be able to guide you in purchasing the product that will offer your canine the proper dosage of deworming medication.

There are several kinds of parasites that can infest your dog’s intestines, but the most common are tapeworms, roundworms and hookworms [2]. Most of the over-the-counter products that you’ll find to remove canine intestinal parasites will focus on these three. If your vet diagnoses your pet with a different type of parasite, it is likely that she will recommend a medication as well.

You’ll find products that may be specifically formulated to remove one type of parasite, but when it comes to worms it is best to find a product, like this one that will remove multiple types. This is called Worm-Away 7 because it is proven to remove seven different types of worms from your pet’s intestines including:

• Tapeworms – dipylidium caninum and taenia pisiformis
• Roundworms – toxocara canis and toxascaris leonina
• Hookworms – ancylostoma caninum, ancylostoma braziliense and uncinaria stenocephala

Each package contains two pills, and the number of pills you’ll need to give your dog will depend on his weight. For medium and large breeds you’ll give 1 tablet if he’s between 25 and 50 pounds, 2 tablets if he’s 50-100 pounds, 3 tablets if he weighs 100 to 150 pounds and 4 tablets if he weighs between 150 and 200 pounds.

Sergeant’s Vetscription Worm-Away 7 tablets will remove the worms from your dog’s system with just one dose. Each chewable tablet contains 114 milligrams of pyrantel pamoate and 114 milligrams of praziquantel. Many consumers have reviewed this product and stated that they bought a similar medication from their veterinarian’s office that used the same exact ingredients but cost twice as much.

Remember that worms are extremely contagious, so if you have a multi-pet household it is best to treat all your animals if one shows signs of worms. There is a good chance that one of your other animals will contract the parasites too, and they can continue to pass them back and forth.

The chewable tablets are smaller than a pea and can be easily concealed in dog food or treats. They are also flavored, so your dog may just eat them willingly without having to hide them. Many dog owners who purchased this product stated that their pet enjoyed the flavor in their product reviews. Our chocolate lab (who will eat anything) gobbled her pills up without having to conceal them, but we had to hide them in lunchmeat for our boxer.

Runner-up: Best Dog Dewormer Powder

If your dog won’t take pills and you’re looking for a different option, 8-in-1 Safe-Guard Canine Dewormer should be the first product on your list. It comes in powder form and can be easily mixed in with your pet’s regular dog food. It shouldn’t change the taste of his food, but if he smells it and is reluctant to eat his dinner you can try adding water to his kibble or mixing the dewormer with a little bit of canned dog food.

This canine dewormer from Safe-Guard claims to control and treat more types of intestinal worms than any other product on the market. It works to rid your pet of roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms and whipworms. The company recommends treating your pet twice a year with their product, which needs to be administered to your dog for three consecutive days

A nice benefit to 8-in-1 Safe-Guard Canine Dewormer is that it can be used on any dog over 6 weeks of age – even pregnant females. Most similar products have weight requirements and cannot be used on pregnant or lactating females. This product has no known drug interactions, meaning that it should be compatible with any other medications that your pet may be taking.

Safe-Guard claims that this product is the only broad-spectrum dewormer for dogs that has no contra-indications or warnings.

There are dosing instructions, and this best dog dewormer is available in three convenient sizes so it’s easy to dispense. It comes in single-dose packets in 1 gram, 2 gram and 4 gram sizes. Even if you’re only treating your pup for worms once and you won’t continue to treat him every six months, it’ll only take three days to rid him of his worm infestation.

It’s important to get your pet’s worm infestation under control as soon as possible. Did you know that humans can contract some types of worms from dogs [3]? You should always be sure to wear gloves when disposing of dog feces and keep your feet covered when walking in the backyard or other areas where your dog may go to the bathroom. A simple solution like the best dog dewormer will be well worth the expense to keep your family (human and furry) safe and healthy, as many consumers noted in their product reviews on Amazon.

Best Natural Dog Dewormer

Recent research has proven that the chemicals in the products we use and the food that we feed our dogs may be linked to the increasing rates of canine cancers and other serious diseases [4]. This information is pushing many pet parents to look for natural products. If you try to keep your pet chemical and artificial ingredient free, Doggie Detox Cleanse is the product that you want to use to rid him of intestinal parasites.

It’s a liquid that you add to your dog’s water, and it treats parasites, toxins and worms. This potent fusion of natural essences and herbs is made with black walnut hulls, wormwood, clove and other all-natural ingredients. It comes with a convenient dropper, so you can easily add the recommended amount to your pet’s water dish.

This product is made without the use of any pharmaceuticals and it’s sourced and manufactured in the United States. Now, this product hasn’t been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, but since it’s all natural it should be safe for your pet. You’ll want to check with your veterinarian before using it of course, as many consumers noted in their product reviews.

The Best Dog Dewormer (Vet Recommended)

Panacur Canine Dewormer, also known as fenbendazole, is often recommended by veterinarians to treat all four types of worms in canines. Technically, whipworms are a form of roundworm and many deworming medications lump these two together in the same category [5]. Panacur specificially states that it will treat hookworms, roundworms, whipworms and tapeworms.

This is another powder dewormer, and it comes in 1-gram, 2-gram and 4-gram packets. You’ll need to select the packet size that is best suited for your dog based on the recommended dosage. You’ll need to add this powder to your pet’s food every day for 3 consecutive days. Again, if mixing this with dry kibble you’ll likely want to add a little water to moisten it and help the powder stick.

Certain dewormers can be used for both dogs and cats, but Panacur has only been approved by the FDA for use in dogs.

The recommended dose is 1 gram per 10 pounds of weight. This means you’ll need quite a few packets for large breed dogs, and at $25 per box (containing three packets) it might get pretty expensive to treat your dog for three days. Reading their reviews will quickly show you that although it may be more expensive, this dewormer really works!

The Best Liquid Dog Dewormer

If you think that it may be easier to get your pet to consume a liquid dewormer, Nemex-2 Wormer is a great choice. This best dog dewormer works for both puppies (more than 2 weeks old) and adult dogs. It removes large roundworms and hookworms. Unfortunately, it’s not suitable to treat small roundworms or tapeworms.

This product also costs about $25 and you need to use one teaspoon of dewormer per 10 pounds of body weight. It will certainly last longer than Panacur Canine Dewormer for large breeds, but you’ll still need to use a lot of product to rid your Fido of intestinal parasites.

Dog owners that purchased this best dog dewormer raved about its palatability – the majority stated that their dog would take it straight, without mixing the liquid with dog food.

One thing I don’t like about this product is that the directions for use do not tell you how often you need to administer it to adult dogs. It shows a schedule for puppies, but the instructions for adult dogs are confusing. Many consumers noted in their reviews that they administered it every two weeks until they no longer saw evidence of worms in their dogs’ feces.

Video: Best Dog Dewormer Review: Which One Works Best?

The Bottom Line

When it comes to the best dog dewormer, there aren’t nearly as many choices on the market as there are for other canine supplies. You need to do your research and ask experts, like your veterinarian, for recommendations. Many commercial dewormers have been shown to upset a dog’s stomach or negatively affect his digestive tract. If you’re looking for a healthy and effective dog dewormer, I believe that Sergeant’s Vetscription Worm-Away 7 is the best choice.

If none of my top five selections for the best dog dewormer meet your needs, don’t worry. I’ve got more where that came from! But first let’s talk about how I made these selections and chose the best dog dewormer in each category.

Table of Contents

1. What you should know before buying
2. What do I know about dog dewormer?
3. Can the best dog dewormer improve my dog’s health?
4. Who should buy dog dewormer?
5. How I chose these dog dewormer products
6. How I researched and evaluated each brand of dog dewormer
7. My pick for the best dog dewormer
8. Who else likes it?
9. Flaws but not deal breakers
10. The runner-up
11. If my other picks aren’t available
12. A pick for tapeworms
13. Full list of ten best dog dewormers
14. What to look forward to
15. Wrapping it up
16. References and further readings

What you should know before buying a dog dewormer

The first thing you should know is that heartworms are also in this category of parasites- however there are special preventatives and treatments that are made specifically for heartworms. Although they may be in the same category, you should NEVER treat your dog for heartworms without taking him to see a veterinarian [6].

Heartworms are extremely dangerous, and if not treated properly the infestation could cause heart failure.

My best dog dewormer pick

So now you’re probably wondering why I picked Sergeant’s Vetscription Worm-Away 7 as my top choice for the best dog dewormer. My top pick needed to be effective for the most common types of canine worms. As you can see, some dewormer products only rid your dog of one or two types of worms, but that wasn’t going to be good enough for my top pick.

This best dog dewormer kills and prevents hookworms, tapeworms and roundworms. As I mentioned, whipworms are a type of roundworm [11].That means that this product from Sergeant’s will kill the most common types of worms found in canines, and it can also be used to prevent your dog from contracting the parasites as well.

I did have to wrap one of these tablets in lunch meat to get our boxer to eat it, but since they are smaller than a pea it wasn’t hard to disguise the medication. You could use a pill pusher to feed these tablets to your dog as well.

The active ingredients in these dog deworming pills are pyrantel pamoate and praziquantel.

Many consumers were deceived by the title of this product. It’s called Worm-Away 7 because it treats seven different types of worms, not because there are 7 treatments in the box. The box actually only comes with two tablets inside. If your dog is an extra large breed or you have to treat multiple pets, you may need to buy more than one box of deworming medication.

Our chocolate lab gobbled up these tasty chewables without having to hide them in a treat.

Unlike some of the other best dog dewormer products that I have included in this list, you don’t need to treat your dog multiple times with Sergeant’s Vetscription Worm-Away 7. It’s the most convenient dog dewormer on the market. You’ll only need to give your dog one dose of this dewormer to rid him of parasites. Many similar products need to be administered at least three times to be fully effective.

Who else likes it?

Vets recommend this product, and many even sell it at their practice, but that’s not all. Dog owners who have used this dewormer love how effective it is and how easy it is to administer. With nearly 200 reviews on Amazon, Sergeant’s Vetscription Worm-Away holds a 4.4 out of 5 star rating, and consumers were really impressed with how fast it works. Many even stated that although they ordered the medication online, Sergeant’s was the brand recommended by their veterinarian.

DiegoE: Exactly what the vet gave me for 3X the price. (March 25, 2013. Read full review here.) “This product is exactly what the vet gave my dog, Teddy, for OVER THREE TIMES THE PRICE ($33). *#%*&@!^%#*!&@#%^ She gave 2 pills of Virbantel 30 mg for my 19 lb. dog. Virbantel is 30 mg of pyrantel pamoate and 30 mg of praziquantel. The box for this Worm Away product lists the active ingredients as 30 mg of pyrantel pamoate and 30 mg of praziquantel…”

Celia M. Gabriel: It works. (March 24, 21013. Read full review here.) “Our 80lb chocolate lab had worms hanging out of her hiney, I bought this because it seems to cover all worms (besides heart obviously, need a script for that). She no longer has worms. Took her to the vet to get her rabies shot and they did a fecal on her and she’s till in the clear…”

Momof5: Works great. (September 10, 2011. Read full review here.) “We took in a rescue dog who obviously had worms. This product did the job and she is gaining weight great now…”

Flaws but not deal breakers

I already mentioned the confusion that some customers had with the labeling of this product. Remember, that Worm-Away 7 gets its name from the number of worm species that it protects against and treats, not the doses that come in the box. You should always read the label of any product you buy completely before purchasing.

Many consumers are also put off by the price of this best dog dewormer. At more than $50 per box, it is more expansive than other similar products, but you have to think of the dosing and number of times that you’ll need to administer each product to figure out the actual price that you’ll be paying.

You can find similar products for half the price of Sergeant’s Vetscription Worm-Away 7, but you’ll probably have to buy multiple bottles or boxes. Many other deworming products need to be administered three or more times to be completely effective. Especially if you’ve got a large breed dog, one box or bottle may not be enough product to treat your dog.

The runner-up for the best dog harness

Maybe your dog struggles with taking pills or he’s really motivated by food. In this case you may want to look into a powder dog dewormer, like 8-in-1 Safe Guard Canine Dewormer. You’ll get the same effectiveness with this product, but instead of having to make your pet take a pill, you can simply sprinkle this powder on his food and he’ll eat it up without even realizing it.

This dewormer is also effective on all four types of worms – hookworms, whipworms, roundworms and tapeworms. The powder mixes really easily with food and most dogs seem to eat it without a fuss. It doesn’t change the palatability of the food, but if your dog realizes something is going on and doesn’t want to eat his dinner you can try mixing it with a bit of food or adding some water to his kibble to make the powder stick.

You’ll need to administer this best dog dewormer from Safe-Guard for three consecutive days. When used as a preventative measure it is effective for up to 6 months. This dewormer is also safe for puppies over six weeks old, which isn’t the case with all dog dewormers.

If you’ve got a young puppy with worms, you need to be very careful when selecting a deworming product to use with him. It’s best to consult with your veterinarian before trying anything on your own.

The recommended dose will depend on the weight of your dog, and dosing instructions are 1 gram of powder per 10 pounds of weight. You can purchase the pouches in 1-gram, 2-gram or 4-gram sizes, making it really easy to give your Fido the proper dose.

Many consumers noted that this product was recommended by their veterinarian, but they chose to purchase it online to get a better deal. The biggest drawback to 8-in-1 Safe Guard Canine Dewormer is that you’ll need a lot of this powder to treat a large breed dog.

If you have an 80 pound dog you’ll need to give him 8 grams of this deworming powder each day for three consecutive days. That’s 24 grams of dewormer, which would be two boxes of the 4-gram pouches (12 grams come in each box). At almost $25 per box, it would cost you $50 for enough dewormer to rid your dog of intestinal parasites.

If my other picks aren’t available

If you’ve been searching for the best dog dewormer for your pet and you haven’t found what you’re looking for on this list, don’t stop reading yet! There are many other dog dewormers available, and I’m going to tell you about five others that are effective and healthy. Keep in mind that you should always have your dog seen by a vet if you suspect he has worms, and heartworms should never be treated with over-the-counter remedies.

If you prefer using liquid dewormers and your dog has hookworms or roundworms, Sentry HC WormX DS Liquid Dog Dewromer would be a good product to check out. This product can treat dogs weighing up to 120 pounds. It is suitable for use in puppies, adult dogs and even pregnant and lactating females.

This product from Sentry is liquid pyrantel pamoate, and it can be used to remove worms and as a preventative to keep them away. The bottle contains 2 fluid ounces of dog dewormer. You’ll need to administer one teaspoon for every 10 pounds of weight.

Dog owners noted that this liquid dewormer is very palatable and most pets licked it up without having to mix it with food. It can be mixed with your pet’s dinner if needed to get him to ingest it. The label doesn’t specify that you need to re-administer this dewormer more than once, and that is a bit confusing. I would recommend checking with your veterinarian for specific dosing instructions.

Next on my list of the best dog dewormer products is Bob Martin All in One Dewormer Tablets. Remember that worms can be contracted by humans as well as other animals, so you need to be diligent about treating your pet for these intestinal parasites [12]. The best dog dewormer should take care of your problem within a few days.

You also need to be sure to scoop your dog’s poop and take it out of your yard to keep him from getting re-infested with worms.

Bob Martin All in One Dewormer Tablets is another dewormer that is effective against tapeworms, roundworms and hookworms. The company claims that this product has been proven effective in clinical trials. Like Sergeant’s Vetscription Worm-Away 7, you only need one dose of this best dog dewormer to rid your pet of worms.

These film coated tablets are as easy to use as they are effective, and they are formulated for small dogs and puppies weighing less than 18 pounds. The active ingredient in this product from Bob Martin is bronopol. Pet parents were pleased with the effectiveness of these tablets, and you can purchase 3 tablets for about $12, making them very affordable as well.

PetArmor Worm-Away is another of the best dog dewormer products that is available in tablet form. The active ingredient in this dewormer is piperazine, and it’s recommended for puppies and dogs 6 weeks and older. It’s specifically designed to remove roundworms.

Roundworms are the most common type of worms found in dogs. Almost every dog becomes infected with them at one point in their lives – usually when they are puppies. Roundworms are spread in multiple different ways, making them easier to contract and harder to control [13]. A product like this one from PetArmor will safely and effectively rid your dog of roundworms, and regular administration will protect him from getting re-infested.

Video: Top 5 Best Dewormer for Dogs 2016

Roundworms live in your dog’s small intestine, giving him a potbellied appearance if the infestation becomes severe. Roundworms can also move into his lungs, giving him a cough. The signs may be difficult to notice at first, but if you notice your dog vomiting and having diarrhea you should bring him in immediately to be screened for worms.

Roundworms are also the most common worms contracted by humans. This is probably because they are so prevalent in canines and also because roundworm eggs can survive for long periods of time in the soil of yards and parks [14]. Excel Dog Roundworm De-Wormer is a safe way to remove roundworms from your dog’s intestinal tract.

The liquid dewormer comes in a 4-ounce bottle and works for large worms known as toxocara canis and toxascaris leonine. This product can also be used on cats, making it an ideal purchase for multi-pet homes. Since worms are easily transmitted from one pet to another, you should be sure to treat all the animals in your home if one of your pets is diagnosed with worms.

Piperazine is also the active ingredient in this product – as you can tell it is a common deworming agent used in many commercial products.

Worms are not an issue that any dog owner wants to deal with, but the best dog dewormer will make getting rid of them fast and easy. Like other products on this list, pet owners highly reviewed this dewormer saying that it is effective and their dog enjoyed the flavor. You can also mix Excel Dog Roundworm De-Wormer with food if you need to.

A pick for tapeworms

Tapeworms are easy to spot with an unaided eye. You may see them come out with your dog’s feces, and you’re sure to know what they are as soon as you see them. They are flat, segmented worms that are easily recognizable [15].

Video: Worm X dog de-wormer review

Like myself, consumers that purchased these pills were impressed with their effectiveness in removing tapeworms.

If your veterinarian has diagnosed your dog with a tapeworm infestation you’ll want to treat it as quickly as you can with a product like Bayer Expert Care Tapeworm Dewormer Dog Tablets. Each tablet contains 34 milligrams of the active ingredient praziquantel, and there are 5 tablets in each box. These chewable tablets can be used on puppies and adult dogs.

In many reviews of this product, dog owners compliment Bayer for making a tapeworm treatment that is easy to administer. The small pills can be concealed in treats or scraps of meat if your dog won’t eat them separately. You’ll only have to give your dog one dose of Bayer Expert Care Tapeworm Dewormer Dog Tablets to rid him of his intestinal parasite issue.

Full list of top ten best dog dewormer products

1. Sergeant’s Vetscription Worm-Away 7
2. 8-in-1 Safe-Guard Canine Dewormer
3. Doggie Detox Cleanse
4. Panacur Canine Dewormer
5. Nemex-2 Wormer
6. Sentry HC WormX DS Liquid Dog Dewromer
7. Bob Martin All in One Dewormer Tablets
8. PetArmor Worm-Away
9. Excel Dog Roundworm De-Wormer
10. Bayer Expert Care Tapeworm Dewormer Dog Tablets

What to look forward to

The number of canine companion animals has been steadily growing over the last decade. More and more people are realizing the joys of pet ownership, but that is also leading to more canine disease and health issues. The larger the population grows, the easier it is for communicable diseases and health issues, like worms, to spread.

Worms are parasites, meaning they need to live off of another organism to survive. Some types of worms, such as hookworms, can be spread very easily through contaminated soil. Organizations like the Center for Disease Control are doing their best to educate pet owners about the importance of removing pet feces from their lawn, and you can bet that these education efforts will continue [16].

As with anything in the health industry, whether it’s for humans or animals, there is new research being done all the time. New research brings about new treatment options and easier access to medications and other treatment related products. We’ll surely be seeing new developments in future years to rid our dogs, and ourselves, of parasites like worms.

From pills to powders to liquid medications, we already have access to some very effective products, but there will definitely be more to come in the future. With the trends in organic and all-natural products at an all-time high, it’s safe to say we’ll be seeing healthier deworming products hit store shelves in the future as well.

Wrapping it up

Purchasing the best dog dewormer is the most effective way to treat your dog for intestinal parasites. These products can either be purchased over-the-counter or at your veterinarian’s office. As with any other over-the-counter treatments, you need to be sure to perform research about the products that you’re going to buy before making your purchase.

Not all dog dewormers are effective, and not all of them are safe for your dog. You should always consult with your vet to have your dog officially diagnosed with worms. There may be something more serious going on, and treating your dog for worms could have a negative effect. If he is diagnosed with worms, one of these best dog dewormer products will need to be used immediately or the infestation could lead to serious complications including intestinal blockage or anemia.