Top 10 Best Dog Dewormers

Dogs fall victim to different internal parasites that are often referred to as worms: hookworms, tapeworms, roundworms, and whipworms.

Because of how common this health issue is, a dog dewormer is one of the most essential preventatives for dog owners, with some countries and states even requiring it by law.

Roundworms and tapeworms can be seen in your dog’s stool with an unaided eye, which is a sure sign your pet has been infested.

If you don't see any worms in poop, then other symptoms of worms in dogs include diarrhea (possibly with blood), dry hair, weight loss, overall poor appearance and vomiting.

There's a number of different dog dewormers available to purchase over the counter, but not all of them are created equal.

For this year's rankings, I've reviewed and rated ten of the best dog dewormer brands.

Parasitic infection in dogs is different to many other health problems; you should never wait for it to occur before you begin using dewormers.

If preventative measures aren't taken, there's an extremely high chance that most dogs will get worms sooner or later. This is why wormers for dogs are often required by law.

Some worm infestations can have little or no symptoms for the dog at first.

In fact, there are certain species of worm larvae or eggs that can lie dormant inside an animal's body for a long time.

They will become activated during times of stress or, as is the case with certain species of hookworms and roundworms, during the later stages of dog pregnancy when they activate and infest the puppies.

A good dog dewormer is guaranteed to prevent any type of worm infestation in a dog.

These products come in different forms: tablets, liquid dewormers, and powder forms.

As long as you choose a healthy and effective product, its type/form is only a matter of preference for you and your dog.

Top 10 Best Dog Dewormer Brands

1. 8-in-1 Safe-Guard Dewormer
The Overall Best Dog Dewormer

When your dog simply won’t take pills and you’re looking for a more viable option, 8-in-1 Safe-Guard Dewormer should be the first product on your list.

It's always been my first choice for the top-rated dog dewormer brand.

Safe-Guard comes in powder form and can be easily mixed in with your pet’s regular pet food.

It shouldn’t change the taste of his food, but if he smells it and is reluctant to eat his dinner you can try adding water to his kibble or mixing the dewormer with a little bit of canned dog food.

This canine dewormer from Safe-Guard claims to control and treat more types of intestinal worms than any other product on the market.

It works to rid your pet of roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, and whipworms.

The company recommends treating your pet twice a year with their product, which needs to be administered to your dog for three consecutive days

A nice benefit to 8-in-1 Safe-Guard Dewormer is that it can be used on any dog over 6 weeks of age – even pregnant females.

Most similar products have weight requirements and cannot be used on pregnant or lactating females.

This product has no known drug interactions, meaning that it should be compatible with any other medications that your pet may be taking.

Safe-Guard claims that this product is the only broad-spectrum dewormer for dogs that have no contra-indications. There are dosing instructions, and this pet dewormer is available in three convenient sizes so it’s easy to dispense.

It comes in single-dose packets in 1 gram, 2 gram and 4 gram sizes.

Even if you’re only treating your pup for worms once and you won’t continue to treat him every six months, it’ll only take three days to rid him of his worm infestation.

It’s important to get your pet’s worm infestation under control as soon as possible.

Did you know that humans can contract some worm types from dogs?

You should always be sure to wear gloves when disposing of dog feces and keep your feet covered when walking in the backyard or other areas where your dog may go to the bathroom.

A simple solution like this will be well worth the expense to keep your family (human and furry) safe and healthy, as many consumers noted in their product reviews.

2. Panacur Dewormer
The Best Vet Recommended Dog Dewormer

Panacur Dewormer, also known as fenbendazole, is often recommended by veterinarians to treat all four types of worms in canines.

Panacur specifically states that it will treat hookworms, roundworms, whipworms and tapeworms.

Technically, whipworms are a form of roundworm and many deworming medications lump these two together in the same category.

This is another powder form dewormer for dogs, and it comes in 1-gram, 2-gram and 4-gram packets.

You’ll need to select the packet size that is best suited for your dog based on the recommended dosage.

You’ll need to add this powder to your pet’s food every day for 3 consecutive days.

Again, if mixing this with dry kibble you’ll likely want to add a little water to moisten it and help the powder stick.

Certain dewormers can be used for both dogs and cats, but Panacur has only been approved by the FDA for use in dogs.

The recommended dose is 1 gram per 10 pounds of weight.

This means you’ll need quite a few packets for large breed dogs, and at $25 per box (containing three packets) it might get pretty expensive to treat a dog for three days.

Reading their reviews will quickly show you that although it may be more expensive, this dewormer really works!

3. Nemex-2 Wormer
The Best Liquid Dog Dewormer

If you think that it may be easier to get your pet to consume a liquid dewormer, Nemex-2 Wormer is a great choice.

This brand works for both puppies (more than 2 weeks old) and adult dogs. It removes large roundworms and hookworms.

Unfortunately, it’s not suitable to treat small roundworms or tapeworms.

This dog wormer costs about $25 and you need to use one teaspoon of dewormer per 10 pounds of body weight.

It will certainly last longer than Panacur Dewormer for large breeds, but you’ll still need to use a lot of product to rid your Fido of intestinal parasites.

Owners that purchased Nemex-X raved about its palatability – the majority stated that their dog would take it straight, without mixing the liquid with pet food.

One thing I don’t like about this product is that the directions for use do not tell you how often you need to administer it to adult dogs.

It shows a schedule for puppies, but the instructions for adult dogs are confusing.

Many consumers noted in their reviews that they administered it every two weeks until they no longer saw evidence of worms in their dogs’ feces.

4. Durvet Triple Wormer for Medium and Big Dogs
The Second Best Liquid Dewormer for Dogs

Next on my list is Durvet Triple Wormer. Remember that worms can be contracted by humans as well as other animals, so you need to be diligent about treating your pet for these intestinal parasites. This one should take care of your problem within a few days.

You also need to be sure to scoop your dog’s poop and take it out of your yard to keep him from getting re-infested with worms.

Durvet Triple Wormer for Medium and Large Dogs, 2-Pack is another dewormer that is effective against tapeworms, roundworms hookworms.

The company claims that this product has been proven effective in clinical trials.

Like Sergeant’s Vetscription Worm-Away 7, you only need one dose of this high-quality dog dewormer to rid your pet of worms.

These film coated tablets are as easy to use as they are effective, and they are formulated for small dogs and puppies weighing less than 18 pounds.

Pet parents were pleased with the effectiveness of these tablets, and you can purchase 3 chewable tablets for about $12, making them very affordable as well.

5. Bayer Expert Care Tapeworm Dewormer
The Best Dog Wormer for Tapeworms

Tapeworms are easy to spot with an unaided eye. You may see them come out with your dog’s feces, and you’re sure to know what they are as soon as you see them.

They are flat, segmented worms that are easily recognizable.

Like myself, consumers that purchased these pills were impressed with their effectiveness in removing tapeworms.

If your veterinarian has diagnosed your dog with a tapeworm infestation you’ll want to treat it as quickly as you can with the Bayer Expert Care Tapeworm Dewormer Dog Tablets.

Each tablet contains 34 milligrams of the active ingredient praziquantel, and there are 5 tablets in each box. These chewable tablets can be used on puppies and adult dogs.

In many reviews of this product, canine owners compliment Bayer for making a tapeworm treatment that is easy to administer.

The small pills can be concealed in treats or scraps of meat if your dog won’t eat them separately.

You’ll only have to give your dog one dose of Bayer Expert Care Tapeworm Dewormer Dog Tablets to rid him of his intestinal parasite issue.

6. FurFinds Herbal Cleanse
The Best Natural Dewormer for Dogs

Recent research has proven that the chemicals in the products we use and the food that we feed our dogs may be linked to the increasing rates of canine cancers and other serious diseases.

New canine parasites and deworming products research is pushing many pet parents to look for natural products.

If you try to keep your pet's chemical and artificial ingredient free, Furfinds Herbal Cleanse is a great natural wormer for dogs that you want to use to rid them of intestinal parasites.

It’s a liquid that you add to your dog’s water, and it treats parasites, toxins, and worms.

This potent fusion of natural essences and herbs is made with black walnut hulls, wormwood, clove, and other all-natural ingredients.

It comes with a convenient dropper, so you can easily add the recommended amount to your pet’s water dish.

This product is made without the use of any pharmaceuticals and it’s sourced and manufactured in the United States.

Now, this product hasn’t been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, but since it’s all-natural it should be safe for your pet.

You’ll want to check with your veterinarian before using it of course, as many consumers noted in their product reviews.

7. Sentry HC Worm X Plus Dog Dewromer

If you prefer using liquid dewormers and your dog has hookworms or roundworms, Sentry HC Worm X Plus Dog Dewormer would be a good product to check out. This product can treat dogs weighing up to 120 pounds.

It is suitable for use in puppies, adult dogs, and even pregnant and lactating females.

This top-rated pet dewormer alternative from Sentry is liquid pyrantel pamoate, and it can be used to remove worms and as a preventative to keep them away. The bottle contains 2 fluid ounces of dog dewormer.

You’ll need to administer one teaspoon for every 10 pounds of weight.

Dog owners noted that this dewormer is very palatable and most pets licked it up without having to mix it with food.

It can be mixed with your pet’s dinner if needed to get him to ingest it.

The label doesn’t specify that you need to re-administer this dewormer more than once, and that is a bit confusing.

I would recommend checking with your veterinarian for specific dosing instructions.

8. PetArmor Worm-Away Pet Dewormer

PetArmor Worm-Away is another one that is available in tablet form.

The active ingredient in this dewormer is piperazine, and it’s recommended for puppies and dogs 6 weeks and older. It’s specifically designed to remove roundworms.

Roundworms are the most common type of worms found in dogs. Almost every dog becomes infected with them at one point in their lives – usually when they are puppies.

Roundworms are spread in multiple different ways, making them easier to contract and harder to control.

A product like this one from PetArmor will safely and effectively rid your dog of roundworms, and regular administration will protect him from getting re-infested.

Roundworms live in your dog’s small intestine, giving him a potbellied appearance if the infestation becomes severe.

Roundworms can also move into his lungs, giving him a cough.

The signs may be difficult to notice at first, but if you notice your dog vomiting and having diarrhea you should bring him in immediately to be screened for worms.

9. Pfizer Nemex Liquid Wormer

Speaking of roundworms, they are also the most common worms contracted by humans.

This is probably because they are so prevalent in canines and also because roundworm eggs can survive for long periods of time in the soil of yards and parks.

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Durvet Liquid De-Wormer is a safe way to remove roundworms from your dog’s intestinal tract.

This liquid dog dewormer comes in a 2x 2-ounce bottle and works for large worms known as toxocara canis and toxascaris leonine.

This product can also be used on cats, making it an ideal purchase for multi-pet homes.

Since worms are easily transmitted from one pet to another, you should be sure to treat all the animals in your home if one of your pets is diagnosed with worms.

Piperazine is also the active ingredient in this product – as you can tell it is a common deworming agent used in many commercial products.

Worms are not an issue that any pet owner wants to deal with, but Pfizer brand will make getting rid of them fast and easy.

Like other products on this list, pet owners highly reviewed this dewormer saying that it is effective and their dog enjoyed the flavor.

You can also mix Pfizer Dog Roundworm De-Wormer with food if you need to.

The Bottom Line

What you should know before buying worming chewable tablets

The first thing you should know is that heartworms are also in this category of parasites; however, there are special preventatives and treatments that are made specifically for heartworms. Although they may be in the same category, you should NEVER be treating your pet for heartworms without taking him to see a veterinarian.

Heartworms are extremely dangerous, and if not treated properly with one of the most effective best dog dewormers or at the vet's clinic, the infestation could cause heart failure in dogs. For the purpose of this article, I focused on intestinal worms – the only kind that you should treat with over-the-counter medications. If your dog is showing signs of worms you should have him checked out by a veterinarian, even if you’re planning to buy an over-the-counter treatment. However, some pet parents (especially responsible breeders) have dealt with worms before.

Another thing that all dog owners should know before buying these dewormers is that fleas and tapeworms go hand in hand. Tapeworm eggs can be ingested by flea larvae, and as the flea develops the tapeworm does too. By the time the flea is an adult the tapeworm has matured enough to infect a canine.

If your dog has tapeworms, he likely will also have fleas. You’ll need to treat him for both infestations, and it’s best to seek the advice of your veterinarian on how best to do this. You don’t want to give your pet too many chemical filled pest treatments at the same time.

Can a dog wormer improve your pet's health?

Obviously this question has a very simple answer. Of course a treatment for worms in dogs will improve your dog’s health. In fact, without it your pet would eventually die. A severe case of worms can lead to anemia, intestinal blockage and other life threatening issues.

Keep the signs of worms in mind. They can include diarrhea (possibly with blood), dry hair, weight loss, overall poor appearance and vomiting. If you think something may be wrong with your dog it would be better to take him in to your vet for a checkup than to wait and see what happens.

Who and when needs these dog dewormers?

Another simple answer; if your dog has worms you are going to need to buy a dewormer. But that’s not the only reason you may need it. If you’re adopting a young puppy, you should consult with the breeder and ask what type of dewormer they have the puppy on. Your puppy will likely need multiple doses and sticking with the same brand the breeder uses will be a good choice.

Dogs that eat feces and soil are more likely to get worms than other dogs.You may also want to keep wormer on hand if your dog has been infested with the parasites multiple times. Dogs that spend a lot of time with other dogs are more likely to contract worms. If your pet goes to doggy daycare or spends a lot of time at the dog park [9], it may be good to have worm treatments on hand in case you ever need it.

How I chose among these brands and ranked them

It all started with basic research. What worm types affect canines? What products are out there to combat the parasites? I was surprised at how short my list was. Many products that are labeled as “dewormers” don’t actually rid your dog of the infestation. There is also documentation that some of the commercial deworming products on the market have made multiple canines sick.

The list of effective and healthy products was much shorter than I anticipated it to be. This was a good thing, because it makes my job easier, but it is also a concern as pet parents do not have many quality options available to them.

Of course, you can always use a prescription product from your veterinarian, and the truth is that is always the safest route to take.

I had to choose over-the-counter products available to pet parents who can’t afford the prescription options, and I am pleased to say that I found some really great quality products that are effective for most dogs. I narrowed down my options by researching the brands that veterinarians recommended most and which products were highly reviewed by pet owners.

My top rated dog dewormer picks

So now you’re probably wondering why I picked 8 In 1 Safe Guard Canine Dewormer as my top choice. My top pick needed to be effective for the most common varieties of canine worms. As you can see, some dewormer products only rid your dog of one or two types of worms, but that wasn’t going to be good enough for my top pick.

This dog wormer kills and prevents hookworms, tapeworms and roundworms. As I mentioned, whipworms are a type of roundworm. That means that this product from Sergeant’s will kill the most common types of worms found in canines, and it can also be used to prevent your dog from contracting the parasites as well.

I did have to wrap one of these chewable tablets in lunch meat to get our boxer to eat it, but since they are smaller than a pea it wasn’t hard to disguise the medication. You could use a pill pusher to feed these tablets to your dog as well. The active ingredients in these dog deworming pills are pyrantel pamoate and praziquantel. Our chocolate lab gobbled up these tasty chewables without having to hide them in a treat.

Unlike some of the other best dog dewormers that I have included in this list, you don’t need to treat your dog multiple times with 8-in-1 Safe-Guard Dewormer. It’s the most convenient dog dewormer on the market. You’ll only need to give your dog one dose of this dewormer to rid him of parasites. Many similar products need to be administered at least three times to be fully effective.

Wrapping it up

Purchasing a dewormer for dogs is the most effective way to treat your pooch for intestinal parasites. These products can either be purchased over-the-counter or at your veterinarian’s office. As with any other over-the-counter treatments, you need to be sure to perform research about the products that you’re going to buy before making your purchase.

Not all dog wormers are effective, and not all of them are safe for your dog. You should always consult with your vet to have your dog officially diagnosed with worms. There may be something more serious going on, and treating your dog for worms could have a negative effect. If he is diagnosed with worms, one of these best dog dewormer brands will need to be used immediately or the infestation could lead to serious complications including intestinal blockage or anemia.

READ NEXT: Home Remedies for Worms in Dogs

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