The dogs constantly walk outside, where they sniff the feces of other animals, dig the ground with their noses and champ the sticks. At home, four-legged friends can lick their paws, eat raw meat that was badly checked at the veterinary station; outdoors, many dogs hunt small rodents. The list of risky situations is endless. The possibility of helminth eggs entering the dogs will never disappear. Every day, our pets can become infected with worms and endanger all family members. But there is nothing to worry about because a lot of veterinary drugs are sold for the treatment and prevention of invasion. In this article you can find all the details about the best dog dewormer over the counter.
Table of Contents:
Close Look at the over the Counter Dewormer for Dogs
Compare and choose the best dewormer for dogs
The best drugs in the category of over the counter dewormer for dogs
1. Excel 8in1 Safe-Guard Canine Dewormer for Dogs, 3-Day Treatment
2. D-Worm 2 Count Combo
3. Bayer Animal Health Quad Dewormer for Large Dogs (Over 45 lbs) 2 Chewable Tablets
4. Triple Medium and Large Dog Wormer
5. DURVET 12-Pack Triple Wormer Tablets for Puppies and Small Dogs
Our Choice: The Best Remedy for the Dogs
Close Look at the over the Counter Dewormer for Dogs
Dewormers for dogs contain elements that are toxic to worms and are harmless to dogs of all breeds. Earlier it was necessary for a pet not to eat during a day before deworming procedure but today it is enough to take one medication without limitations in meals. And if earlier it took months to get rid of parasites, then modern drugs allow to kill them within one or two days.
It should be noted that today you can purchase one of the over the counter dewormer for dogs and avoid visiting the vet. Just keep in mind that universal medicines deduce different types of helminths, while specialized ones allow you to destroy a particular species. But it is better to use the specialized means only after consultation with the veterinarian. Therefore, if you do not have time to visit a doctor or you want to prevent infection by parasites, then you should buy universal over the counter remedies.
It is quite natural that you, as the responsible owner of the dog, are interested in the question of how safe it is to use over the counter dewormers. It is perfectly safe if you consider the following factors:
- For the treatment or prevention of worms in puppies, the preference should be given to medicines developed for a certain age.
- Make sure you keep the correct dosage, since a surplus of drugs can cause toxicosis and, consequently, death.
- Keep in mind that you cannot determine whether the worms were killed only by their absence in the feces. If the instructions for the medication indicate that it should be applied a certain number of times, then this must be done, it is necessary.
- The experts do not recommend mixing drugs with food, since the dog may simply refuse to eat. It is advisable to put a pill on the tongue and give the pet a treat. As for puppies, their drugs need to be crushed and the medication should be given taking into account the weight. For this, the drug is dissolved in water and injected with a syringe through the mouth.
- If you decide to treat your pet by yourself, be sure to read the contraindications. In the case of non-compliance with precautions during the use of dewormers for dogs, the pet can be greatly harmed.
You can give the dewormers to your pet and be sure of its safety only taking into account all of the above points. In order to make it easier for you to make a choice in favor of one of the drugs, we suggest you to read the table with the best dog dewormer over the counter (2024).
Compare and choose the best dewormer for dogs
Image | Product | |
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Best Choice
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Excel 8in1 Safe-Guard Canine Dewormer for Dogs
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Also great
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D-Worm 2 Count Combo
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Also great
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Bayer Animal Health Quad Dewormer for Large Dogs
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Also great
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Triple Medium and Large Dog Wormer
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Also great
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DURVET 12-Pack Triple Wormer Tablets for Puppies and Small Dogs
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The best drugs in the category of over the counter dewormer for dogs
Excel 8in1 Safe-Guard Canine Dewormer for Dogs, 3-Day Treatment
Review
The drug includes the fenbendanzole, the substance which is effective against most types of worms. In addition, it is easy to mix the drug in the dog’s food, since the granules are easily dissolved. The course of treatment is quite short and the medication can be used as a preventive measure.
Our opinion
Good drug since it can be used for even for 6 weeks old puppies but hardly mixed with food, so it’s pretty hard to feed it to the dog.
PROS
- Different dosages for different sizes of dogs. No need to count anything by yourself.
- You can even give it to the pregnant dogs.
CONS
- It is difficult to mix the drug in a small amount of food, as recommended by the manufacturer.
D-Worm 2 Count Combo
Review
This drug contains praziquantel, pyrantel which are quite effective against roundworms, tape and hookworms. Plus, the course of treatment is short: it’s enough to give your pet one tablet to kill the parasites and then after a week or two give another one as a measure of prevention. The tablets smell like meat, so it won’t be a problem to make the dog eat it.
Our opinion
If you have a small dog or a puppy, this drug will suit you well. For the dogs bigger than 25 pounds you’d better choose another medecine.
PROS
- The drug is good against three types of worms and as a prevention.
- It has meaty smell, so the dog will eat it without problems.
- One tablet – one treatment, so there is no need in thinking about dosage.
CONS
- The price is high enough.
- It can be applied for small dogs and puppies only.
- The puppy you want to treat should be older than 12 weeks.
Bayer Animal Health Quad Dewormer for Large Dogs (Over 45 lbs) 2 Chewable Tablets
Review
These are the chewable tablets with the active components of praziquantel, pyrantel pamoate, and febantel. The drug paralyzes round worms and trematodes, which are then easily removed from the intestine. The convenient form of release allows you not to hide the medicine in the food. The effect lasts for six months.
Our opinion
Excellent dewormer for dogs due to its effectiveness and lack of side affects.
PROS
- The smell and taste attract the dog.
- It is effective against most worms.
- The side effects are rare.
- Great quality at affordable price.
CONS
- It is made for large dogs only.
- It is not the means of prevention.
Triple Medium and Large Dog Wormer
Review
The active ingredients contained in a tablet are pyrantel pamoate and praziquantel. The drug affects intestinal nematodes and cestodes. It is contraindicated for the puppies, shepherd dogs (collie, bobtail and sheltie), as well as any other that have a hypersensitivity to components, and animals with impaired function of internal organs (liver, kidney). It is given compulsorily or with the food in the crushed form.
Our opinion
High efficiency of this drug does not justify the many side effects and other drawbacks of the drug.
PROS
- It has high efficiency.
CONS
- The adverse reactions development risk is rather high;
- It is not applicable for the dogs of some breeds;
- Suitable only perfectly healthy animals.
- It is not applicable for the puppies.
DURVET 12-Pack Triple Wormer Tablets for Puppies and Small Dogs
Review
The active substances contained in one tablet are pyrantel pamoate and praziquantel. The drug is designed specifically for small breed dogs and puppies. It is given in the morning with food or dissolved in water (it is more convenient way to give it to puppies). It is the excellent preventive means. However, treatment of pregnant dogs should be carried out only under the supervision of the veterinarian.
Our opinion
Great drug for small dogs and puppies with preventive effect.
PROS
- Effectively kills worms.
- It is the preventive tool.
- It is designed for puppies and small dogs.
CONS
- There may be side effects, such as drowsiness, vomiting.
Our Choice: The Best Remedy for the Dogs
The list of the dewormers for dogs in tablets is updated annually. The medicines are specially formulated for the animals, are sold without a prescription, and are easily dosed. Despite the fact that the drugs discussed in this article are available without a prescription, before starting treatment, a dog or puppy should be shown to a veterinarian. He will help determine the causative agent and prescribe effective drugs based on the sensitivity of the worms. However, if for some reason you do not have such an opportunity, then we recommend using the Bayer Animal Health Quad Dewormer for Large Dogs as the best over the counter dewormer for dogs. This drug is highly effective, almost does not cause side effects; just two tablets are enough to completely remove the worms from the dog’s body. Moreover, there is no need to invent some ways to give it to the dog or add medicine to food. The dogs like the taste and smell of chewable tablets, so they chew on them with pleasure. Just keep in mind that as a means of prevention, this drug is not used. To prevent worms, it is better to use Excel 8in1 Safe-Guard Canine Dewormer for Dogs. There is a different dosage for different sizes of dogs and it can be given even to puppies and pregnant dogs. Take care of your pets, pay attention to them and visit the vet regularly. Then your dog will delight you with its company and health for many years.
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