Puppy worming can be a nightmare, but it’s vital! Not only does it protect them from parasites, but it protects other dogs from catching parasites too. Puppy worming is tricky, particularly trying to get them to swallow the pill, but it’s worth it in the end!
Here’s everything you need to know about puppy worming.
When Should I Get My Puppy Wormed?
One of the most commonly asked questions when getting a new puppy has to do with how often you should get your puppy wormed.
Worming may sound scary but if you ignore it, your dog will get worms! Help them out by getting them wormed when they are 4,8 and 12 weeks old, then every 3 months for after that. It may sound like it’s a lot to do but it’s all worth it.
Tips & Tricks
Now we don’t know about you, but I don’t know any puppy who likes to take medication. Here are a few tips and tricks to make the process just a bit easier.
1. The 1,2,3 Game
Start off by encasing the pill in something like a strip of bacon, a spoonful of peanut butter or a chunk of chicken. Then set that aside and give your dog a normal treat, do that one more time.
After your pup has had 2 treats, put the encased tablet next to your dogs nose. Pull away a bit and then let him smell it again, do this one more time and he’ll be sure to eat it right out of your hand.
2. Empty Gel Cap
Just as simple as it sounds. If the pill you have to give your dog has a less than pleasant smell, you can pick up empty gel capsules and hide the pill inside, making it slightly more enjoyable for your pup.
3. Give Them A Hand
It’s smart for any dog owner to know a lot about their animal. You can physically give your dog the pill if you understand how their jaw works. Prying out their mouth is cruel, ineffective and can make your dog lose trust in you or be scared.
You can look up the correct way to pull down the lower jaw to safely give them the medicine physically. There are similar methods out there that combine training them to think that when you pull on their lower jaw they get a treat and the encasing of the treat in the first tip. Again, look up the correct way to do this so you or your dog don’t get hurt.
Puppy worming is part of their overall health, so even if your puppy is a pain, persevere and it’ll be worth it!