Imagine hundreds of small creatures crawling around inside of your body. Disgusting, isn’t it? That’s exactly what happens when we don’t treat our dogs with dewormers.
Dogs like to get into what they can, and most will eat anything from any place they can find it. Other times, they could get bit by an infected insect. It doesn’t matter how your dog ended up with worms, but it does matter that you take care of the problem right away so that they don’t end up affecting your dog’s overall health.
These reviews are here to help you pick a reliable dog dewormer that could save your pet’s life and get them back to feeling their best.
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A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2024
Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
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Best Overall | Sentry Worm X Plus 7-Way Dewormer |
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Best Value | PetArmor 7-Way Dewormer |
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Premium Choice | Heartgard Plus Chew for Dogs |
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Best Dewormer for Puppies | Safe-Guard Canine Dewormer |
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Bayer Dewormer for Tapeworm |
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The 5 Best Dewormers for Dogs
1. Sentry Worm X Plus 7-Way Dewormer – Best Overall
Product form: | Tablet |
Health conditions: | Roundworms, Hookworms, Tapeworms |
If your dog has an upset stomach due to some nasty worms, then you’re probably searching for the best overall dewormer for dogs. The Sentry 7-way dewormer is ideal for dogs from 12 weeks and older and between 6 to 25 pounds. You have the option of buying a packet of two or six pills as well so that you can have a safe supply for future use. The chewable tablets are tasty, and a single pill keeps dogs protected for one month each.
However, it doesn’t remove ringworms and isn’t safe for pregnant or nursing females.
- No prescription needed
- Affordable
- Doesn’t remove whipworms
- Not suitable for pregnant or nursing dogs
- Not good for dogs over 25 pounds
2. PetArmor 7-Way Dewormer – Best Value
Product form: | Chewable tablet |
Health conditions: | Roundworms, Hookworms, Tapeworms |
Pet Armor makes the best dewormers for the money with a product that is effective against at least seven different types of tapeworms, hookworms, and roundworms. Each pack comes with two easy-to-chew tablets that most dogs enjoy. For pickier eaters, you could mix it into their kibble at dinner time, and they wouldn’t even know.
This dewormer is effective against at least two types of tapeworms, two types of roundworms, and three types of hookworms for the ultimate protection. They are effective for dogs from 25 to 200 pounds if you adjust the dosage size. The instructions also come with a chart printed directly on the package to make the process as simple as possible for you.
- Affordable
- Works on 7 different worm species
- Chewable tablet
- Effective on dogs from 25–200 pounds
- Only comes with two tablets
3. Heartgard Plus Chew for Dogs – Premium Choice
Product form: | Chewable tablet |
Health conditions: | Heartworms, Roundworms, Hookworms |
While you know this is one of the brands most used by veterinarians, you also know that it comes with a price tag. Heartgard is a very well-trusted brand that lots of people trust for their pets. The container comes with 12 chewable tablets to last you 12 months, and the chews are easy to administer.
Unfortunately, you will need a prescription for this brand. However, it is worth it for its effectiveness in preventing heartworm infestations.
- Trusted brand
- Effective heartworm prevention
- 12-month supply
- Require prescription
- Expensive
4. Safe-Guard Canine Dewormer – Best Dewormer for Puppies
Product form: | Powder |
Health conditions: | Roundworms, Hookworms, Tapeworms, Whipworms |
While not all dewormers are safe for young dogs, this is one that you can give to your puppies without needing a prescription. Safe-Guard is a veterinary-trusted brand that is easy to use and kills four different types of worms. All you have to do before buying it is weigh your dog and ensure that you give them the correct dosage. The brand sells different products for different breed sizes, so you’ll have to ensure that you purchase the proper one first.
This dewormer comes in powder form that is easy to mix into many types of food. This is ideal for those who have dogs that refuse to swallow pills despite putting them inside some of their favorite snacks. Their brand is also safe for puppies over 6 weeks of age and dogs of all ages. It comes with three pouches to last you for up to six months.
- Trusted brand
- Easy to administer
- Simple instructions
- Lasts for 6 months
- Kills 4 different worm types
- Might cause diarrhea
5. Bayer Dewormer for Tapeworm
Product form: | Capsules |
Health conditions: | Tapeworms |
While Bayer is a trusted and affordable dewormer brand, its medicine is only effective in getting rid of tapeworms. All dogs over the age of 4 weeks can take it safely. However, the capsule is not chewable and will need to be swallowed. While it is great for tapeworms, it is better to use a product that is going to kill all potential worm threats.
- Affordable
- Trusted brand
- Must be swallowed
- Only effective on tapeworms
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Dewormer for Dogs
Who Should Buy Dog Dewormer Products?
It is very common for dogs to pick up internal parasites. Canines love to play in places where all sorts of worms could exist. They don’t do it on purpose; it is just a regular part of a dog’s life.
Different types of pests live in soil, fecal matter, and other things you might find outdoors. If your dog were to accidentally swallow any of these worms, or even get them from their mother when they were a puppy, then you’d want to get them treated to prevent them from getting ill. Prevention is always a smart idea, but many of these products will control and prevent at the same time.
All pet parents should be prepared to buy dewormers to protect their fur babies. Pay attention to your dog’s behavior and get them checked by the vet if you suspect that they have gotten worms. Those wanting to avoid them in the future need to prepare for the fact that they will have to have a steady supply of dewormer on hand.
Features to Consider Before Buying
Ingredients
There are a lot of ingredients listed for dewormer medicines. Not all of the formulas used work on the same types of worms. Do your research and make sure that your dewormer contains the active ingredients necessary to kill the type of worm you’re targeting. For example, the medicine should include piperazine for roundworms.
Parasites Targeted
Regardless of the dewormer brand you buy, each box should clearly list the parasites that the medicine is targeting. There is no point in giving your dog the pills if they don’t specifically target the specific type of worm that has infested them. Today, most of these medicines target various parasites, however making sure the product covers what you need is a must.
Number of Doses
Pay attention to whether your dewormer is in 1-day or 3-day doses. If you can’t commit to giving your dog the medicine for three days straight, then you’re better off buying a brand where you only have to administer one and forget about it.
Method of Administration
The method by which the medicine is administered is also important. Some dogs are very picky, and no matter how much you wrap the pill in deli meat, they’ll find a way to swallow the treat and spit out the pill. Pet parents should know which presentation to give to their pets for the easiest administration possible.
Side Effects
The last thing you want is to give your dog something that could negatively affect them. Look through the listed side effects before purchasing a dewormer. Most trusted brands are still easy on their digestive systems and are a bigger benefit to their quality of life with it than without it.
Like with any medication, please keep a close eye on your dog during the first 24 hours and call the vet if you notice any abnormal signs or side effects.
Age and Weight Requirements
Not all dewormers are made for every dog breed. You have to pay very close attention to the medicine that you are buying. It should be specific to your dog’s breed size and weight. Follow all instructions labeled on the box to ensure they are getting the proper dosage.
Consulting a veterinarian is recommended for the best course of action.
If you need to speak with a vet but can’t get to one, head over to PangoVet. It’s an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the personalized advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!
Our Selection Process For Dewormers for Dogs
To create this buyer’s guide, our writing team and editorial staff checked customer reviews, brand reputation, and veterinary approval ratings to present the dog dewormers we think should be highlighted for our readers. In some cases, we conducted hands-on testing along with seeing how much our dogs liked the dog dewormers. All these factors were considered when selecting these listed dog dewormers to help you make the best purchase for your furry friends.
Why Trust Dogster?
Since 2004, Dogster has been a trusted brand for dog owners online, which means we have a lot of experience with dog dewormers. We take pride in promoting the well-being of all dogs—from toy breeds to giant canines. Our in-house veterinarians, writers, and editors examine each product on our lists, ensuring its quality and reputation. As pet owners ourselves, we only want the best for our furry companions. At Dogster, we are transparent about the products we promote. The nutritional information, overall brand reputation, and customer reviews are all considered for these lists. We inform you how we want to be informed.
Conclusion
After scrolling through endless reviews, we hope that this article has made the process of shopping for a canine dewormer a little easier. Our research has proven that Sentry 7-way dewormer is the best overall dewormer for dogs this year. The best dewormer for your money is the PetArmor 7-Way Dewormer, and the premium choice comes from the Heartgard Plus Chews for Dogs.
You might need a prescription for some of these brands, but you can find comfort in the fact that all the creepy crawlies moving around inside your dog will soon be gone.
Featured Image Credit: sophiecat, Shutterstock