A worm infestation is a common problem for dog owners, especially those with puppies. Puppies are more vulnerable to the effects of worms because their immune and digestive systems are still developing. The worms that can infest your dog include hookworms, tapeworms, whipworms, roundworms, and heartworms.

Protecting your canine against parasites ensures that they stay healthy, but selecting the ideal medication can be challenging when you have so many options. Some brands protect against multiple parasites, while others only treat one or two types.

Although these products are made to be safe for pets, it’s always a good idea to look at the possible side effects in case your pup has a reaction. Here, we have reviews of the best dewormers for puppies to help you decide which product is perfect for your young dog.

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The 10 Best Dewormers for Puppies

1. Sentinel Spectrum Chew for Dogs — Best Overall

Sentinel Spectrum Chew for Dogs is the best overall dewormer for puppies. It not only treats intestinal worms but also prevents the development of flea eggs and protects your dog against heartworm disease. It treats whipworms, tapeworms, roundworms, hookworms, and heartworms. It’s designed for puppies at least 6 weeks old and weighing at least 2 pounds.

Unlike many of the competitors, Sentinel seems more appetizing to dogs. Fewer owners reported their animals having trouble consuming the tablet, and some dogs did not need the tablet hidden in food to consume it. However, the downside was the tablet’s performance with fleas. Some owners claimed that Sentinel did not prevent their pets from getting fleas.

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2.Tri-Heart Plus Chewable Tablet for Dogs, Up to 25 lbs — Best Value

The Tri-Heart Plus Chewable Tablet for Dogs is the best dewormer for puppies for the money. It offers many of the same benefits as more expensive brands, and it’s great for owners with multiple pets who are trying to reduce their pet care costs. Tri-Heart protects against heartworm disease and treats roundworms and hookworms when taken monthly. It’s safe for canines as young as 6 weeks old, and it can be hidden in food or offered by itself. Like other heartworm medications, Tri-Heart requires a prescription from your veterinarian. The only problem with these tablets is their size. The pill is too big to give a small puppy unless you break it up and mix it with food.

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3. Simparica Trio Chewable Tablet for Dogs — Premium Choice

Simparica Trio Chewable Tablet for Dogs is our premium pick of dewormer medications. It’s safe for dogs at least 8 weeks old, and it can be added to food or given to your dog by itself. Unlike similar brands that treat multiple parasites, Simparica also protects your pup against five types of ticks. It prevents heartworm disease and treats hookworms and roundworms. The manufacturer claims that it can eliminate fleas on your dog in 8 hours and provide 100% protection against heartworm disease. It’s more expensive than many of its competitors, but it claims to treat more types of ticks than other brands, and customers are happy with the results.

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4. Trifexis Chewable Tablet for Dogs

Trifexis Chewable Tablet for Dogs has been on the market for over 10 years, and it offers protection against heartworm disease and flea infestations. It starts killing fleas on your dog in 30 minutes, and it also treats hookworms, whipworms, and roundworms. The beef-flavored tablet can be fed to your dog with or without food, and it protects for 30 days. Unlike some other brands, Trifexis eliminates whipworms, which are not as common as roundworms but can lead to anemia and weight loss in puppies if not correctly treated. Many dog parents trust Trifexis, but some animals have problems eating the tablet due to its flavor.

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5. Panacur C Canine Dewormer

For puppies that have problems with the flavor of tablets, you can use Panacur C Canine Dewormer. It comes in a powdered formula that you mix in with the dog’s wet food. The manufacturer suggests adding a bit of water if your dog only eats dry kibble. Panacur treats hookworms, roundworms, whipworms, and Taenia tapeworms. Unlike other treatments, you must give your puppy a dosage for 3 days before the worms are eliminated.

While many owners were happy with the treatment, some mentioned that their dogs had trouble tolerating the medicine after the first dose. Panacur does not require a prescription or doctor’s approval to use, but we suggest talking to your vet before giving your puppy any over-the-counter medication.

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6. Nemex-2 Wormer

 Nemex-2 Wormer is a liquid product that eliminates hookworms and roundworms. It’s safe for dogs of all sizes and puppies at least 2 weeks old. Although some dog owners claim that their pets enjoy the taste of Nemex, you can mix it with wet food if you want to ensure that all the medication is consumed. The liquid formula works fast, and some customers were surprised at how quickly the worms were expelled.

Nemex is not designed to remove whipworms or tapeworms, so you’ll need additional medication if your puppy has either of those parasites. The only drawback to the product is its lack of safety packaging. It’s a liquid, but it’s delivered unsealed, with only the top keeping it from leaking.

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7. Elanco Tapeworm Dewormer (Praziquantel Tablets) for Dogs

Elanco Tapeworm Dewormer (Praziquantel Tablets) for Dogs treats the two most common types of tapeworms: Dipylidium caninum and Taenia pisiformis. The tablet can be given to your dog directly or mixed with food, and one dose is designed to remove all tapeworms. It’s safe for puppies as young as 4 weeks old, but some small canines may have trouble consuming the tablet. It can be given to dogs that are between 6 and 10 pounds, but for puppies under 5 pounds of body weight, the recommended dose is half a tablet. It’s not as expensive as some other brands, but it only treats tapeworms, and pricier medications usually treat multiple parasites.

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8. SENTRY HC WormX DS (Pyrantel Pamoate) Canine Anthelmintic Suspension De-wormer for Dogs

SENTRY HC WormX DS (Pyrantel Pamoate) Canine Anthelmintic Suspension De-wormer for Dogs is a liquid that eliminates hookworms and roundworms. It’s safe for puppies and dogs as large as 150 pounds. Sentry is less expensive than most dewormer tablets, but it sometimes takes more than one treatment to remove the worms. You can mix it with wet food to make it more flavorful, but measuring a small amount for a puppy is difficult. The product comes with an ineffective measuring spoon, so some customers use a syringe to administer the formula. If your dog only has hookworms and roundworms, Sentry seems effective, but it does not remove tapeworms or whipworms.

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9. Interceptor Plus Chew for Dogs

Interceptor Plus Chew for Dogs is safe for puppies as young as 6 weeks old that weigh at least 2 pounds. It prevents heartworm disease and treats roundworms, whipworms, hookworms, and tapeworms. Compared to some other tablets that treat multiple parasites, Interceptor is less expensive, but your dog needs to be able to handle the flavor. Some pups eat it without problems, but others are repulsed by the taste, and even hiding it in food doesn’t always work. If your dog is a picky eater, you may want to try another brand.

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10. FurFinds Herbal Cleanse for Cats and Dogs

FurFinds Herbal Cleanse for Cats and Dogs uses natural ingredients to remove parasitic worms. The formula’s ingredients include peppermint, oregano, papain, clove, black walnut, wormwood, apple cider vinegar, and pumpkin seed. Although several customers are impressed with FurFinds, it’s unclear which worms it’s designed to remove. Some customers have mentioned that it removes tapeworms, and others claim that it treats roundworms. The biggest concern with the product is the vague dosage instructions. It says that it’s safe for daily use, but it also states that it’s not designed for long-term use. So, check with your vet before buying this one.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Dewormer for Puppies

If your puppy’s mother had parasites before giving birth, unfortunately, your young pup probably also has worms. Mothers can transmit hookworms and roundworms to their young before delivery and after birth through their milk, which is why all puppies should be tested for worms before adoption.

If you haven’t decided which medication is ideal for your infested pup, you can follow these guidelines for choosing a safe formula.

Veterinary Recommendations

A few of the products on the list do not require veterinary approval to use, but we still strongly encourage you to visit your veterinarian before selecting a dewormer. A box of medicine may be more affordable than visiting the vet, but it’s not worth risking an adverse reaction in your young pet. The chemicals used in the medications reviewed here are safe, but a small percentage of animals can experience side effects. Also, without a thorough checkup and worm test, you cannot determine which types of worms your dog may have.

Seasonal Considerations

Your canine can become infested with worms during any time of the year, but the parasites are more abundant during the warmer months, when dogs are more active outside. If a puppy consumes a rotten carcass or piece of soil with parasitic eggs, it can lead to a roundworm, whipworm, or hookworm infestation. Warmer weather also attracts mosquitos that can transmit heartworms and fleas that can transmit tapeworms. Year-round protection from worms is essential, but you’ll have to be more careful with administering dewormers during the summer. Any lapse in treatment can lead to another infestation.

Puppy Preferences

The tablets that eliminate several parasites are the most effective treatments, but some dogs are not fond of chewing the pills. You can hide the tablets in food, but some animals can detect the flavor and avoid the meal altogether. If you own an incredibly finicky puppy, you can try liquid or powder products with less potent flavors.

Side Effects

A small number of dogs will have side effects from dewormers, such as vomiting and diarrhea, so you should observe your pup after they consume the medication to check for any reactions. Dogs that experience seizures are particularly sensitive to a few of the chemicals in dewormers, and before buying one, you should check with your vet first if your pet has medical conditions. Although manufacturers tend to recommend repeating the dewormer dosage if the animal vomits the first treatment, we suggest calling your vet before giving your pet another round.

Price

Dewormers vary significantly in price depending on the brand, but most premium products treat multiple parasites. If your puppy only tested positive for tapeworms, you do not need a tablet that treats several worms, and you can probably get by with a cheaper brand. However, single-dose treatments do not always prevent future infestations, so you may need a preventative medicine if you have an active dog that lives outdoors.

Conclusion

All of these reviews highlight the best dewormers for your puppy, but we chose Sentinel Spectrum Chew for Dogs as the overall winner. It is more edible to picky dogs and provides protection from heartworm disease and four of the most common parasitic worms. It’s less expensive than many other brands that eliminate multiple parasites and can be fed to pups as little as 2 pounds. Our second-place winner, Tri-Heart Plus Chewable Tablet for Dogs, is an affordable option for preventing heartworm disease and treating roundworms and hookworms.

We hope that one of these dewormers will help you and your puppy, but if you’re in any doubt or need extra advice, be sure to contact your vet!

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