The Hidden Threat: Why Deworming Your Dog Matters for Everyone in the Family

parasites in dogs
Jordan Dorn, Licensed Nutritionist
Jordan Dorn, Licensed NutritionistFounder & Lead Formulator, Zuma Nutrition

Jordan Dorn is a licensed nutritionist and the founder of Zuma Nutrition. With over a decade of hands-on mentorship under renowned herbalist and formulator Richard Helfrich, he merges evidence-informed nutrition science with traditional herbal wisdom to develop clean, high-potency wellness solutions focused on bioavailability, purity, and sustainable sourcing.

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Pet owners often hear about deworming from their vet, but many skip it unless there's an obvious problem. The truth is, parasites are common in dogs — even well-cared-for ones — and some can spread to humans, posing real health risks to you and your family.

 

No one loves talking about worms, but ignoring them won't make them disappear. Parasites affect millions of pets and people worldwide, causing issues from mild discomfort to serious illness. Regular prevention and treatment protect your dog's health — and yours.


How Dogs Get Parasites (And How They Can Pass Them On)

 

Dogs lick, gnaw, sheep, scratch due to itching. from fungi, bacteria, yeast, along the crotch area of the toes Sometimes they even put it in their mouth. may cause various pathogens ingest


Dogs are natural explorers: sniffing, rolling in dirt, and sometimes eating things we'd rather not think about. These habits expose them to parasites through soil, feces, fleas, or infected prey.

Close contact — like licks, shared spaces, or even walking barefoot in areas where an infected dog has pooped — can transmit eggs or larvae to humans. Kids are especially at risk due to play habits and hand-to-mouth contact.


What Are Parasites?

 

Puppy itching paw with teeth


Parasites are organisms that live in or on a host, feeding off it. In dogs:

  • Internal parasites: Worms like roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, whipworms, and heartworms that live in the intestines or other organs.

  • External parasites: Fleas, ticks, or lice on the skin.


For more on human parasites, check reliable sources like the CDC.


Common Parasites in Dogs and Zoonotic Risks


Dogs can harbor several parasites, some transmissible to humans (zoonotic):

  • Roundworms (e.g., Toxocara canis): Very common; larvae can migrate in humans, causing visceral or ocular issues, especially in children.

  • Hookworms (Ancylostoma): Larvae penetrate skin (e.g., "cutaneous larva migrans" — itchy rashes); rare intestinal infection in humans.

  • Tapeworms (e.g., Dipylidium caninum): Usually via fleas; Echinococcus (rare in dogs) is more serious.

  • Whipworms: Rarely affect humans.

  • Heartworms: Mosquito-transmitted; rare lung issues in humans, no direct dog-to-human spread.


Adult worms aren't usually passed directly — it's often invisible eggs/larvae in feces or soil. Good hygiene and prompt poop pickup reduce risks.


Signs Your Dog Might Have Parasites

 

Cute small white dog rolling in mud and fall leaves


Many infections are symptom-free, but watch for:


  • Diarrhea or vomiting

  • Scooting (dragging butt on ground)

  • Bloated belly or weight loss

  • Dull coat or low energy

  • Visible worms in stool/vomit

Untreated, parasites can damage organs or, rarely, be fatal.


The Best Way to Deworm Your Dog


Always start with your vet. They'll perform a fecal test to identify the specific parasite and prescribe safe, effective medication (e.g., broad-spectrum dewormers like pyrantel, fenbendazole, or praziquantel). These are scientifically proven, targeted, and help prevent drug resistance.


Puppies need frequent deworming (every 2-4 weeks until 6 months), while adults vary by lifestyle (monthly in high-risk areas, at least annually otherwise) — plus year-round heartworm prevention per CAPC guidelines.


Natural Support Options (With Caveats)


Some owners use natural aids alongside (or, in low-risk cases, as) supportive care:

  • High-fiber foods like carrots, pumpkin seeds (cucurbitacin may paralyze worms anecdotally), papaya, or coconut.

  • Apple cider vinegar to subtly alter gut environment.

 

Herbal tinctures are another option some explore for their traditional antiparasitic properties. 


For example, products like Para Clear (a liquid extract featuring organic Sweet Wormwood/Artemisia annua, available here) are marketed as a gentle, natural dewormer to support gut cleanse. However, these lack robust veterinary clinical evidence for fully eliminating established infections and should never replace professional diagnosis/treatment. Always consult your vet before use, as herbs can interact or cause issues in certain dogs.


Treatment time varies (days to weeks); follow-up tests ensure clearance.


A Note on Human Deworming


In low-prevalence areas (like most of the US), routine deworming isn't recommended for adults or kids — only if diagnosed or in high-risk endemic regions (per WHO/CDC). If concerned, see a doctor for testing.


Wrapping Up: Protect Your Pack


Deworming isn't glamorous, but it's essential. Regular vet checkups, fecal tests, prompt poop cleanup, flea control, and hygiene keep parasites at bay. Your dog (and family) will thank you with better health and more worry-free cuddles.


If symptoms appear in your pet or anyone at home, consult a professional ASAP.





References (updated/reliable sources):

  1. VCA Animal Hospitals: Internal Parasites in Dogs

    CDC: About Ascariasis (Roundworms)
    (Note: Human ascariasis is caused by Ascaris lumbricoides; Toxocara in dogs causes zoonotic larval migrans, a related but distinct risk.)

    CDC: About Dirofilariasis (Heartworm in Humans)

    CDC: About Human Tapeworm (Taeniasis)

    CDC: About Hookworm

    CDC: About Whipworms

    General Vet Resources:

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