When it comes to protecting your dog from worms, traditional deworming often comes with a host of nasty side effects.

But there's good news for all pet owners: there are natural alternatives that can effectively eliminate worms without harming your dog.

Natural dewormers like pumpkin seeds and black cumin seed are both great options, providing a holistic approach to keeping your dog healthy and worm-free. In this guide, we’ll explore various natural methods to get rid of dog worms. 

Watch For These Symptoms Of Worms In Dogs

Before we get into natural dewormers for dogs, it's worth knowing how to spot worms in dogs in the first place.

After all, recognizing the signs of a worm infestation in your dog is the first step toward effective treatment. Since you often won't be able to see visible worms in your dog's stool, it's crucial to know the other symptoms.

With that in mind, the common symptoms of parasitic worms to watch for in your dog are:

• Diarrhea or vomiting: Frequent gastrointestinal issues can indicate a worm problem
• Abdominal pain: Your dog may exhibit signs of discomfort or pain in the abdominal area
• Fever: An elevated temperature can accompany a worm infestation
• Scooting: Dogs often drag their rear end on the ground when they have worms
• Loss of appetite: A sudden decrease in your dog's appetite might be due to worms
• Dull coat: A lackluster coat can be a sign of nutritional deficiencies caused by worms
• Lethargy: Reduced energy levels and tiredness are common in infected dogs
• Dehydration: Worms can cause fluid loss, leading to dehydration
• Mucus-covered stools: Presence of mucus in your dog’s stool is a warning sign
• Bloody stool: Blood in the stool can indicate a severe infestation
• Coughing: Some types of worms can affect the respiratory system
• Bloating: A distended abdomen is a typical symptom of worms, especially in puppies

Understanding these symptoms can help you act quickly. If you recognize your dog displaying many of them, it's a sign you may need to address an intestinal worms problem and restore your pup’s health.

The Best Natural Dog Dewormers

Finding the best natural dog dewormer starts with a healthy diet that supports a strong immune system.

Your dog's immune system, particularly the IgE antibodies, can effectively attack and destroy worms when properly supported. By incorporating immune support nutrients like zinc, vitamin D, and other essential vitamins and minerals into your dog's diet, you can help maintain her overall health and make her body less hospitable to parasites.

However, diet alone may not always be sufficient to eliminate every worm infestation. That's where the natural foods and herbs below come in. They can offer additional support.

Here are some of the most effective natural dewormers to protect your dog naturally:

1. Diatomaceous Earth (DE)

Food-grade diatomaceous earth can help reduce the number of worms in your dog. However, it may not be effective for tapeworms.

• Small dogs: 1 teaspoon per day
• Dogs over 55 lbs: up to 1 tablespoon per day

Caution: Mix the diatomaceous earth into your dog's food thoroughly to avoid inhalation, which can irritate the lungs. Do not use DE for pregnant or lactating dogs.

2. Chamomile

Chamomile is effective against roundworms and whipworms. It works slowly and also helps also helps support a natural inflammatory response. Use chamomile in a glycerin tincture.

• Give 0.25 to 0.5 ml per 20 lbs of body weight, twice daily.

Caution: Check for sensitivity before using chamomile, and avoid use in pregnant or lactating dogs.

3. Olive Leaf

Olive leaf extract, containing oleuropein, can expel parasites from your dog’s intestines. Look for an extract with at least 12% oleuropein.

• Small dogs: 300 mg twice daily
• Medium dogs: 500 mg twice daily
• Large and giant dogs: 1000 mg twice daily

4. Oregon Grape

Oregon grape is both a liver tonic, and a natural dewormer. It’s effective but should be used with caution.

• Give 12 drops of Oregon grape tincture per 20 lbs of body weight.
• Also, provide liver support with milk thistle tincture (¼ teaspoon per 20 lbs of body weight).

Caution: Do not use Oregon grape for pregnant or lactating dogs, or dogs with liver disease.

5. Black Walnut

Black walnut is a potent natural dewormer but can be toxic if not used correctly. It’s best to use it under the guidance of a holistic vet, especially if gentler options have not worked.

Note: Black walnut does not address the underlying cause of worms, so it's important to support your dog's immune system as well.

6. Wormwood

Wormwood is another powerful herb that can be effective against worms but should be used with caution due to its potential toxicity.

Caution: Use wormwood only under the guidance of a holistic vet, especially for dogs with liver or kidney issues, or dogs that have seizures.

7. Fermented Vegetables

Fermented foods are excellent for expelling worms by enhancing your dog’s gut health and immune system. Fermented vegetables can improve your dog’s gut health and make it less hospitable for parasites.

Start with a small amount and gradually increase to 1 to 3 teaspoons per day per 20 lbs of dog's body weight. You can buy them or make your own.

8. Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds contain cucurbitin, an amino acid that paralyzes and eliminates worms from your dog's digestive tract.

Use raw, organic pumpkin seeds, ground, and give ¼ teaspoon per 10 lbs of body weight once or twice a day until the worms are gone.

Pumpkin seeds are safe for pregnant dogs.

9. Black Cumin Seed

Black cumin seed, known as "the cure for everything except death," is a potent dewormer. Whole seeds are preferred, but black cumin seed oil can be used at half the dose.

Give your dog ½ to 1 teaspoon of seeds daily. If the taste is too strong, you can heat the seeds to reduce bitterness.

10. Grated Fruits And Vegetables

Certain fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, cucumber, watercress, greens, squash, fennel, and pineapple, can make your dog’s digestive tract less welcoming to worms.

Pineapple, rich in bromelain, boosts the immune system and helps fight worms. Add at least 1 teaspoon per 10 lbs of body weight to your dog's meals twice a day.

11. Pomegranate

Pomegranate compounds help expel tapeworms from the digestive tract.

Add at least 1 teaspoon per 10 lbs of body weight to your dog's meals twice a day.

12. Vegetable Juice

Fresh carrot, beet, and cucumber juices can make your dog’s intestines less attractive to worms.

Give 1 teaspoon per 10 lbs of body weight per day.

13. Garlic

Garlic, when given in moderate amounts, can be as effective as conventional dewormers. Use chopped raw organic garlic, letting it sit for 10 to 15 minutes before feeding.

Dosage varies by size: small dogs up to ¼ clove twice a day, medium dogs up to ½ clove twice a day, large dogs up to ¾ clove twice a day, and giant breeds up to 1 clove twice a day.

Do not use garlic for pregnant or lactating dogs, or dogs on blood thinners.

14. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)

ACV creates a more alkaline digestive system, which is less attractive to parasites.

Use raw, organic, unfiltered vinegar and give ¼ to 1 teaspoon per day in your dog’s water or food.

15. Thyme

Thyme is particularly useful for fighting hookworms. Herbalists recommend using fresh or dried thyme herbs.

Add 1 teaspoon per pound of food to your dog's meals.

Caution: Do not use thyme essential oil as it can be toxic. Avoid using thyme in any form for pregnant or lactating dogs.

16. Parsley

Parsley can be used as a simple natural dewormer. Cook fresh parsley and strain out the solids, then freeze the liquid into ice cubes. Give one cube daily.

Note: Some people worry that flat leaf parsley may be toxic to dogs, but it's usually only in very large amounts. If concerned, use curly parsley instead.

17. Bone Broth

Bone broth promotes digestive health, which helps the immune system combat worms. It’s particularly effective around the full moon.

Add a few tablespoons to your dog’s food or serve as a separate snack. You can also add pure aloe juice for an extra boost.

18. Anti-Worm Food Supplement

You can also create a general worming supplement by combining several natural remedies and natural worm treatments.

Herbs For Pets recommends the following mixture for worms in dogs:

• 2 parts unsalted, raw pumpkin seeds
• 1 part garlic powder
• 1 part fennel seeds
• 1 part yucca root

Mix the ingredients together and add 1 teaspoon per pound of food daily. Feed this mixture for 5 days, then take 2 days off. Continue until your dog no longer has worms.

Caution: Avoid using this mixture for pregnant or lactating dogs.

Final Thoughts

Using natural dewormers for dogs can be a great way to manage and prevent worm infestations without harmful side effects. By incorporating a variety of herbs, foods, and supplements into your dog’s diet, you can support her immune system and overall health.

Remember, a healthy diet is the cornerstone of a strong immune system. Feeding your dog a balanced, nutrient-rich diet will help their body naturally fend off parasites. Adding natural dewormers such as pumpkin seeds, black cumin seed, fermented vegetables, and various fruits and herbs can further enhance the ability to eliminate worms.

That said, make sure to monitor your dog’s health and consult with a holistic vet if you suspect a severe worm infestation or if natural remedies don't seem to be working. Regular check-ups and fecal tests can help ensure your dog stays worm-free and healthy.

FAQ

What is a natural worm killer for dogs? A natural worm killer for dogs is pumpkin seeds, which contain an amino acid called cucurbitacin that paralyzes and eliminates intestinal parasites.

How do you get rid of worms in dogs asap? To get rid of worms in dogs as soon as possible, feed them raw, organic pumpkin seeds twice a day based on your dog's weight.

Does apple cider vinegar deworm dogs? Yes, apple cider vinegar can help deworm dogs by creating an alkaline environment in the dog's system that is less hospitable to internal parasites; add 1/4 to 1 teaspoon per day to their water or food.

How to get rid of worms naturally? To get rid of worms naturally, dog owners can use a combination of pumpkin seeds, fermented vegetables, and apple cider vinegar to expel pesky parasites and prevent worm eggs from maturing in adult dogs.

MORE ON NATURAL DEWORMERS

The Natural Way To Handle Flea And Tick Prevention - Dr. Deva Khalsa VMD Avoiding toxic flea and tick spot-on products and other chemical repellents is an important part of your dog’s natural health care program. There are effective ways to protect your dog from pests, wherever you live, without resorting to dangerous chemicals. First Things First The first thing to do is step back and look at your pet’s lifestyle. What are the chances of your dogs getting fleas and ticks? 1. Do you have indoor/outdoor cats? Cats that go in and out can carry fleas into the house and this can create a flea problem. In this case you have to handle fleas with the cats to prevent them from carrying them in. Indoor/outdoor cats do not tend to bring ticks into the house. 2. Do your dogs only go into the yard and romp together, rarely meeting any other dogs or cats? If yes, this makes it more improbable that they will get fleas. 3. Do deer and rodents come onto your property and into your yard where your dogs go out? Deer and rodents can bring ticks into your yard which can get onto your dogs and cats. 4. Do you get harsh winters and have times during the year when the ground is frozen and the temperatures are very cold ? If yes, during this time of year you do not have to concern yourself with fleas and ticks. You can relax. 5. Do you walk your dogs often in high grass in areas where ticks are abundant? In this case you will want to treat your dogs with some sort of repellent so ticks are less attracted and check your dogs carefully for ticks after a walk. 6. Do you consider your dogs to be healthy and free of skin problems and skin allergies? Fleas and ticks seem to prefer dogs that are compromised in their general health. Keeping your dogs healthy will make them less likely to get fleas and ticks. 7. Do you live in a warm southern area where fleas and or ticks are abundant all year round? In this situation you will have more of a problem in creating natural and effective flea prevention if you have both dogs and cats that go in and out of the house. If you answered yes to all of the even numbered questions, it will be easier for you to successfully prevent fleas and ticks in your home. If you answered yes to some of the odd numbered questions, you can still achieve acceptable results with natural flea and tick prevention – but you will have to put in more effort to get those results. It’s well worth it to learn how to use common sense procedures in your home to prevent fleas and ticks on your pets, because many of the commonly used topical chemical spot-on products, collars and shampoos are very toxic and dangerous. All flea and tick products are made up of active and inert ingredients. The active ingredients are those that target and kill pests and have the potential to harm dogs too. In fact, all the active ingredients in the spot-on preparations have been linked to serious health problems in animals. Some of the inert ingredients are also toxic, even though the word inert suggests that they’re safe. Despite manufacturers’ claims to the contrary, the ingredients of commonly used topical treatments can and do enter the pet’s internal systems. Here are some of the common active ingredients found in pharmaceutical flea and tick products, and the dangers they present to your pet. Fipronil The EPA’s Pesticide Division has found that fipronil enters the body and can be contained in the fat, organs, urine and feces of dogs. Laboratory tests have shown that with long term exposure at low doses, fipronil has the potential to cause nervous system and thyroid toxicity, thyroid cancer, altered thyroid hormone levels, liver toxicity, kidney damage, convulsions, whining, barking, crying, loss of appetite, locomotor difficulty, reduced fertility, fetus mortality, smaller offspring, loss of hair at or beyond the point of application, moist inflammation, chemical burn and itching. According to pesticide.org, “fipronil also disrupts nerves in animals other than insects, including humans, but it does not bind as tightly to these nerve cells as it does to insect nerve cells.” This suggests there may also be risk to children who cuddle dogs after fipronil products have been applied. When exposed to light, fipronil breaks down into a molecule called fipronil-desulfinyl which, according to the EPA, is ten times more toxic than the fipronil itself. This means (a) don’t put the plastic vials of fipronil products in the sun; (b) don’t let your dog bake in the sun after you’ve applied it; (c) short haired dogs using fipronil products need to stay out of the sun. Pyrethrins and Pyrethroids Most consider the natural alternative, the pyrethrins (naturally occurring compounds from the chrysanthemum plant) and pyrethroids (the synthetic counterpart), as less hazardous than fipronil. Sadly, the contrary has been irrefutably proven. CPI, the Center for Public Integrity, found that from 2002 through 2007 at least 1,600 pet deaths from pyrethroid spot-on treatments were reported to the EPA. That’s nearly double the number of reported fatalities linked to flea treatment without pyrethroids. CPI’s project was based on an analysis of 90,000 adverse reaction reports. Keep in mind that many adverse reactions are not reported so the actual number could be much higher. Pyrethroid spot-on products also accounted for more than half of the major pesticide pet reactions, including brain damage, heart attacks and seizures. A possible explanation for the number of incidents involving pyrethroid spot-ons, according to the report, is the high concentration of pesticides they contain. The report also notes that while the pyrethroid spot-ons are more concentrated than the fipronil or imadocloprid, they are actually less toxic than these latter two products. Permethrin is another synthetic chemical belonging to the pyrethroid family so it also functions as a neurotoxin. Chemical burns are a commonly reported as a result of its use. Permethrin as also been implicated as a carcinogenic insecticide causing lung cancer and liver tumors in laboratory animals, as well as disrupting endocrine function; it acts as a neurotoxin, causing tremors, increased aggressive behavior and learning problems. Imidacloprid Imidacloprid is a systemic insecticide which acts as an insect neurotoxin and belongs to a class of chemicals called the neonicotinoids. Neonicotinoids are a class of insecticides acting on the central nervous system of insects with lower toxicity to mammals. In laboratory studies, Imidacloprid has been found to cause thyroid lesions and liver toxicity, increase cholesterol levels (this is commonly seen in the bloodwork of hypothyroid dogs), and has the potential to damage the kidneys, liver, thyroid, heart, lungs, spleen, adrenal, brain and gonads. As a neurotoxin, it has caused incoordination, labored breathing and muscle weakness. When this drug was tested after its debut in 1994, researchers found an increase in the frequency of birth defects in mice, rats and dogs. There are many ingredients in flea and tick products on the market that are not mentioned above, so if you choose to use one of these products, please read labels and study the ingredients of the one you’re using. Alarmingly, fleas and ticks are becoming resistant to many of the ingredients, so these dangerous products may not even be effective in some cases. Preventing Fleas and Ticks Many dog owners whose pets have little or no chance of getting either fleas or ticks dutifully put literally life-threatening spot-on products on them every single month. Unfortunately, although dog owners love their dogs and want to do what’s best for them, spot-on products and heavy duty chemical flea and tick prevention are not what’s best for them. There are better, safer ways to avoid fleas and ticks. First of all, let’s review some common canine lifestyles in relation to flea and tick prevalence. When You Don't Require Regular Protection You have two or three small dogs who play and run together in your enclosed yard, no cats and cold winters. Dogs in this situation don’t really need regular protection. You should routinely check your dogs for fleas and ticks. If your dogs get the occasional tick you can easily remove it (see below.) The same goes for fleas. If you catch them early, natural methods work well. Healthy Dogs Are Unlikely To Attract Fleas You have dogs who spend most of the time in your yard but you do take them for walks in the park and they do occasionally get a tick on them. The first thing is to feed your pets excellent diets and keep them healthy. Healthy dogs are very unlikely to attract fleas, even if you have cats that go in and out of the house. Your dogs may get an occasional tick after long walks in fields and woods. Be sure to check all dogs for ticks after a walk and remove any that you find. You can also spray an essential oil based insect repellent (home made or one of many excellent such products on the market) on your dogs before the walk to reduce the tick’s attraction to them. Garlic is also an excellent preventive with more about that in the Basic Steps section below. Amber necklaces and electromagnetic tags also help with prevention. A Clean Home and Regular Check-ups You have dogs and indoor/outdoor cats and live in a mild climate. The cats can bring fleas into the house but ticks are rare. In this case you often have to treat the house preventively in order to prevent flea infestations. Food grade diatomaceous earth can be placed in essential areas. Fleas may deposit eggs in carpets, upholstered furniture and pet bedding; thoroughly vacuuming your home on a routine basis, going right up to the walls, may be needed. Washing all bedding will eliminate fleas, especially if the fabric can be dried on a warm or hot setting; natural (usually essential oils based) sprays made for dogs can also be used to spray their bedding and annihilate the fleas. Check your cats routinely for fleas by spreading the fur around the belly and the head and, if necessary, treat them with a natural product that’s safe for cats (do your research and use caution with essential oils, as cats are more sensitive to certain oils than dogs.) Conditions differ in different areas of the country. The important thing is to use a simple, easy to live with, effective method for handling pests. Basic Steps  Keep your dog healthy and as free as possible of chemicals in his environment  Feed a species appropriate (preferably raw) diet along with some lightly steamed healthy vegetables  Supplement as appropriate for your individual dog to give him all the nutritional tools he or she needs for their cells to stay healthy  Minimize vaccinations and pharmaceutical drugs for your dog  Avoid using toxic cleaning products in your home. Baking soda and vinegar will tackle most of your cleaning requirements!  Avoid using chemical fertilizers in your yard. You may have a home situation where your dogs are not really exposed to ticks and fleas. In that case – celebrate and just keep them healthy. If your dogs may be exposed to ticks and fleas on occasion, add some additional protection  Give garlic every day. Garlic can be given in many forms. Some people like powdered garlic and some like garlic pills. While these are all good, fresh garlic provides the largest range of health benefits. Finely dicing the garlic and allowing it to sit 10 minutes before adding it to your dog’s meal will add another giant step to garlic’s health benefits. A large dog can have two decent sized cloves of garlic a day and a small dog can have one small clove of garlic a day. There’s one more part to this. When we humans eat garlic it comes out in our sweat. Dogs don’t really sweat. The garlic essence comes out in the oil of their fur. It takes a little longer but it stays right there in the oil. So if you’re using garlic to help prevent fleas and ticks always wash your dog with a non-detergent shampoo such as a Castile Soap shampoo. That way you won’t strip the “garlic essence” out of the fur Advanced Steps If you live in an area where your dogs might get fleas and/or ticks while out on a walk in the countryside you can…  Get the amber collars that are sold by a few companies that help prevent the fleas and ticks from attaching onto your dogs. They look attractive as a collar  Get one of the electromagnetic tags that provide a frequency barrier to fleas and ticks for your dogs to wear  Spray your dog lightly with a natural protective spray (cedar oil based sprays work well) on the underside areas of the body that are in contact with grass  Apply essential oils that repel fleas and ticks onto the coat before a walk  Sprinkle food grade diatomaceous earth into your dog’s coat You do not have to do all of these things. Rather, find a method that suits you and see what works. You may have to experiment a bit in order to discover what works best for you and your dogs. When using natural methods, it’s sometimes best to use more than one for extra protection. In the long run, it’s likely to be a lot less expensive than those dangerous spot-on products and you’ll also likely save on veterinary bills with less illness, too. Easy Tick Removal It’s a good idea to remove a tick as soon as possible. A tick has to be attached to your dog for more than 24 hours to spread Lyme and other tick diseases. There are several easy ways to do this.  Put some isopropyl alcohol into the cap of the container and invert it over the tick, putting pressure on it to seal it next to the skin. Hold this on for 30 – 60 seconds and the tick should be floating in the cap. You do not have to touch the tick yourself and the head will release with this method.  Place a drop or two of one of an essential oil such as Palo Santo on the tick. Palo Santo will usually kill the tick and you can then easily remove it.  Use a special gadget such as a tick key to remove the tick. You can also use tweezers to grasp the tick close to the dog’s skin, and gently pull it away. Disinfect the area with essential oil (Thieves blend is a good choice) or an herbal product such as Oregon grape, goldenseal or calendula. Easy Flea Removal  Place soapy water totally around your dog’s neck. Immerse your dog up to the top of his neck in a sink or tub of warm water and let him sit for 10 minutes. This will drown the fleas on his body. The collar of soap stops them from running upwards and escaping the water. Examine the head carefully and wash thoroughly with soap, searching for, removing and killing any fleas.[/li]  Spray a natural repellent on your dog’s fur coating it well and this will usually kill all the fleas within a minute. Spray your dog’s bedding and around the house to kill all the eggs.  Powder your dog and areas of the house with human grade edible diatomaceous earth. This will make your house dusty. Vacuum very well before you do this and cover all surfaces and put the bag in the freezer. Use the same bag when you vacuum the diatomaceous earth up from the floor. If you catch the fleas early and vacuum really well you can handle the eggs with the vacuuming and powdering and nip things in the bud.