Deworming: A Quick Guide to Protecting Your Pets

As a DVM, one of the most frequent questions I get in consultations is: "Why are there so many types of dewormers, and which one is best for my pet?" The answer isn't simple, but understanding the difference is key to protecting your best friend and your family.

What are we fighting?

Parasites are divided into two main groups:

1. Internal (Endoparasites): They primarily live in the intestines, lungs, or heart of dogs and cats. The most common are "roundworms" (nematodes) and "tapeworms" (cestodes). They are transmitted when the animal licks the ground, eats raw meat, or even through mother's milk.
2. External (Ectoparasites): Fleas, ticks, and mites. These live on the skin and hair, and in addition to biting or stinging, they can transmit serious diseases to the bloodstream.

⚠️ Important: Deworming not only protects your dog or cat from internal and external parasites, it also protects your health, as many of these parasites can transmit diseases to humans.

Types of dewormers: All-in-one or specific?

There are three main categories of products that your local vet may recommend:

• Specific dewormers: These are ideal when we have a confirmed problem. For example, a pill that only kills fleas and ticks, or a syrup that only eliminates roundworms. They are used when we want a powerful action against a single, identified enemy.
• Broad-Spectrum Products: They target several types of parasites within the same group (e.g., a pill that kills 4 different types of internal worms).
• Endectocides (the “combos”): These are the multitaskers! A single product (spot-on or chewable tablet) that eliminates and protects against both external and internal parasites at the same time. They are the most convenient option for monthly prevention.

When to use one versus the other?

The choice depends on their lifestyle. A dog that goes to the park a lot or interacts with other animals usually needs a monthly "Combo" to stay protected. If your pet is an indoor pet and only goes for leashed walks, your vet might suggest a rotation schedule, meaning different medications will be used for deworming to prevent drug resistance and ensure parasites are eliminated.

The tip: Complete Recovery with Waggy's

After deworming, your dog's digestive system has been through a battle. To help their tummy regain its natural balance, I recommend including Waggy's Belly (indicated for dogs only). These treats with prebiotics and probiotics help restore good gut bacteria, improve digestion, and strengthen their natural defenses after treatment.

👉 Protect their digestion comprehensively
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Tips for successful deworming:

• Hygiene first: Pick up your dog's or cat's feces immediately. This breaks the cycle of re-infection in the garden or litter box.
• No raw meat: Avoid feeding your pets raw meat, as it is a primary source of internal parasites.
• Fecal analysis: To choose the ideal dewormer, your veterinarian may request a fecal analysis to identify the parasites present.
• Zero stress: If taking your cat or dog to the vet is a nightmare, try Waggy's Relax (for dogs only) or Waggy’s standardized botanical oil (for dogs and cats) about 30-40 minutes before leaving. It will help them arrive calm and make the process much easier and quicker.

👉 Support their relaxation even at the vet visit

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Remember that every pet is unique. An improperly applied protocol can lead to parasite resistance. Therefore, always visit your local vet to design the perfect plan for your furry friend.

References

• Coêlho, M. D., Coêlho, F. A., & de Mancilha, I. M. (2013). Probiotic therapy: a promising strategy for the control of canine hookworm. Journal of parasitology research, 2013, 430413. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/430413
• Hunt, A. B. G., Flint, H. E., Logan, D. W., & King, T. (2023). A single dose of cannabidiol (CBD) positively influences measures of stress in dogs during separation and car travel. Frontiers in veterinary science, 10, 1112604. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1112604   
• Machado, M. A., Campos, D. R., Lopes, N. L., Barbieri Bastos, I. P., Botelho, C. B., Correia, T. R., Scott, F. B., & Fernandes, J. I. (2018). Efficacy of afoxolaner in the treatment of otodectic mange in naturally infested cats. Veterinary parasitology, 256, 29–31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2018.04.013
• Šlapeta, J., Dowd, S. E., Alanazi, A. D., Westman, M. E., & Brown, G. K. (2015). Differences in the faecal microbiome of non-diarrhoeic clinically healthy dogs and cats associated with Giardia duodenalis infection: impact of hookworms and coccidia. International journal for parasitology, 45(9-10), 585–594. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpara.2015.04.001
• Tielemans, E., Prullage, J., Tomoko, O., Liebenberg, J., Capári, B., Sotiraki, S., Kostopoulou, D., Ligda, P., Ulrich, M., & Knaus, M. (2021). Efficacy of a novel topical combination of esafoxolaner, eprinomectin and praziquantel against ear mite (Otodectes cynotis) infestations in cats. Parasite (Paris, France), 28, 26. https://doi.org/10.1051/parasite/2021022