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Types of worms & where they live in your home
Do I need to clean my entire house if my dog has worms?
What cleaning products kill worms and their eggs?
What wormer is best for my dog?
Why does my dog keep getting worms even after deworming?
Dog worms? Nasty. Even worse, a lot of us don’t really understand the depth of how bad a worm infestation can be. Worms won’t just bother your dog, they can be harmful to you too!
To get rid of worms you need good, effective worming treatment (i.e. tablets or spot on treatment that are vet approved). But will this remove all the worms? The reality is, you need to clean too.
Keep reading to find out where you need to definitely clean in your home and products which can help with that 👇
When dogs have intestinal parasites, they can shed microscopic eggs or larvae in their faeces. These can spread to:
Floors and carpets
Dog bedding
Furniture
Outdoor areas like your garden
Some worms, such as roundworms and hookworms can even pose a risk to humans, especially children.
That’s why cleaning your home is an essential part of any worming treatment plan. Treating your dog alone isn’t always enough; without proper hygiene, reinfection can happen quickly.
Understanding the type of worm your dog has can help you determine how intensive your cleaning routine needs to be.
Roundworms
Roundworms are one of the most common parasites in dogs. Their eggs can survive in the environment for long periods, especially in soil and carpets.
Cleaning priority: High 😳You’ll need to focus on both indoor and outdoor spaces.
Tapeworms
Tapeworms are usually transmitted through fleas. You may notice small rice-like segments around your dog’s rear or bedding.
Cleaning priority: Moderate 😟The biggest concern here is controlling fleas alongside using a dewormer.
Hookworms
Hookworms can spread through contaminated soil and even penetrate skin.
Cleaning priority: High 😳Extra care is needed, especially in gardens and outdoor areas.
Whipworms
Whipworms are less common but can still contaminate environments through faeces.
Cleaning priority: Moderate to high 😟Make sure to always pick up your dog's poo (even in your own garden!)
Not necessarily every inch but you should thoroughly clean any area your dog frequently uses.
Where should you clean?
Dog bedding: Wash all bedding in hot water (at least 60°C if possible). This helps kill eggs and larvae.
Carpets and rugs: Vacuum thoroughly and regularly. Consider steam cleaning for a deeper clean, especially during active infection.
Hard floors: Use a pet-safe disinfectant. Pay attention to corners and edges where dirt accumulates.
Furniture: If your dog sits on sofas or chairs, vacuum and clean those surfaces too.
Food and water bowls: Wash daily with hot, soapy water.
Garden: Pick up faeces immediately. This is crucial to prevent environmental contamination.
During your dog’s worming treatment, aim for:• Daily vacuuming of high-traffic areas• Frequent washing of bedding (every few days)• Immediate cleanup of accidents or faeces
Once your dog has completed treatment and is worm-free, you can return to a regular cleaning routine but stay vigilant.
Your best bet is to use diluted household bleach and wipe down surfaces. Make sure to not use this close to your pet, keep them away whilst you clean and the surfaces dry.
For soft fabrics and furniture, wash what you can on a high heat - Eggs can’t survive above 60 degrees celsius.
Cleaning alone won’t eliminate worms. You must treat your dog with an effective wormer or dewormer prescribed by your vet or purchased from a trusted source.• Kills adult worms in your dog’s intestines• Stops egg production• Helps your dog recover quickly
However, it doesn’t always kill eggs already present in the environment which is why cleaning is so important.
Not all worming treatments are the same. Some target specific parasites, while others have broad-spectrum protection. The best dewormer for your dog will be one that is tailored to your pet’s weight and lifestyle, which is easy to use and fast-acting - Like the Itch Worming Tablets for Dogs which kill all common intestinal worms in your pooch.
What can I give my dog to stop worms?- Tablet wormers: Easy to administer and widely available- Liquid dewormers: Ideal for puppies or picky eaters- Spot-on treatments: Applied to the skin
Combination products may also treat fleas and ticks!
Once your dog has been treated, prevention becomes your top priority.
1. Regular worming schedule
Most dogs should receive a wormer every 1–3 months, depending on lifestyle and risk factors. It can be tricky to remember to deworm your pet, so maybe a subscription is right for you - Like the Itch monthly worming subscription which is delivered free to your door, exactly when you need it, so you never forget.
2. Flea control
Since fleas can carry tapeworms, consistent flea prevention is essential. So now you need to protect your pet with flea and worming treatments? Why not try a combined plan from Itch. They offer vet strength treatments that are scientifically proven to kill fleas, ticks and worms. Check their subscription plans out here!
3. Good hygiene practices
Wash hands after handling your dog
Clean up faeces immediately
Avoid letting your dog eat unknown objects outdoors
4. Keep living areas clean
Routine cleaning reduces the risk of parasite buildup over time. It’s good practice to vacuum clean and dust every week.
In some cases, yes. Certain worms can be transmitted to humans (zoonotic parasites). Check out how roundworms can enter the body and how they infect you.
Young children, elderly individuals and people with weakened immune systems are most susceptible to worms.
To stay on top of infection, always wash your hands frequently and avoid contact with dog faeces. And like we’ve said, keep your home clean during treatment.
If you’re concerned about exposure, consult a healthcare professional.
This could be because you’re not treating your pet enough. Some parasites are tricky and need multiple treatments to fully eliminate - 1 treatment dose a month, for at least 3 months.
You need to support the treatment by cleaning your home too. Because worm eggs might be living in your home and that’s why the worms keep coming back… It’s not the same worms, it’s new ones!
And finally, another thing to check. If your dog currently has fleas too then they might be transmitting worms to your pet so make sure you’re treating with flea treatment, as well as worming treatment.
☑️ Vacuum floors and furniture daily
☑️ Wash dog bedding in hot water
☑️ Disinfect food and water bowls
☑️ Clean hard surfaces with bleach or pet-safe cleaners
☑️ Remove faeces from garden immediately
☑️ Wash your hands after handling your dog
So, do you need to clean your house if your dog has worms? Absolutely.
Think of it as a two-part strategy:1. Treat your dog effectively with the right worming treatment2. Maintain a clean environment to eliminate lingering eggs and larvae
By combining these efforts, you’ll give your dog the best chance at a full recovery and keep your home safe and healthy.
Intestinal worms can cause serious health issues for your pet and your family, but with a regular de-worming schedule you can protect your pet, home and family from these persistent parasites.
Itch Wormer tablets kills all common intestinal worms and prevent larvae from hatching and multiplying, until your pet's next regular treatment.
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Pet worming tablets are an integral part of maintaining your furry companion's health and well-being. These tiny yet powerful medications play a crucial role in preventing and treating worm infestations in dogs and cats. But have you ever wondered how pet worming tablets work? Look no further as we delve into the world of deworming tablets, exploring their mechanisms, effectiveness, and the options available for both dogs and cats. We'll also address the perennial question of tablets vs. liquid dewormers and explore natural worming alternatives. By the end, you'll have a clear understanding of how these treatments work to keep your pets healthy and thriving.
Worms are gross. But also they can make your cat feel rubbish with a dodgy tummy, weight loss, dull fur, and in kittens that weird pot-belly look. Worms can pass to humans. So deworming your cat protects your pet and you.
