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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesWorms in your dog’s stool usually mean a parasite is living in the intestinal tract—but the appearance of the worm matters. Long, pale worms can be roundworms; small rice-like pieces are often tapeworm segments. Some dangerous parasites, including hookworms, may not be visible at all.
Do not rely on a generic dewormer or wait for the worms to disappear. Contact your veterinarian, save a fresh stool sample if possible, and clean up the environment to reduce reinfection and protect people and other pets.
What worms in dog poop can look like
Use the appearance as a clue, not a diagnosis. Different parasites need different medications, and a dog can have more than one infection at the same time.
| What you see | Possible cause | Important detail |
|---|---|---|
| Long, cream-colored worms resembling spaghetti | Roundworms | Common in puppies; eggs can persist in soil and some roundworms can infect people. |
| Small white pieces resembling rice or cucumber seeds | Tapeworms | Dogs commonly acquire them by swallowing infected fleas or prey. Segments may move on fresh stool or around the anus. |
| Very thin worms, blood, or black stool | Possible hookworms or another intestinal problem | Hookworms are often too small to notice in stool and can cause blood loss, especially in puppies. |
| Jelly-like mucus, diarrhea, or tiny pale particles | Could be a parasite, but not necessarily a visible worm | Giardia and other intestinal infections do not look like ordinary worms. |
White flecks can also be undigested food, mucus, or pieces of plant material. A photograph and a veterinary fecal test are more reliable than visual inspection alone.
#1 Best Overall
- Dewormer for Dogs: PetArmor 7 Way Chewable large dog dewormer treats and controls 7 species of worms: 2 tapeworms, 2 roundworms, and 3 types of hookworms
- Vet Quality Deworming for Dogs: These vet-quality tablets are safe for puppies 12 weeks or older, and large dogs 25.1 to 200 lbs
- Dewormer Tablets: PetArmor broad spectrum canine dewormer comes in chewable tablets, making it easy and convenient to give to your dog
- How to Use: Watch your dog for a few minutes after dosing to make sure the chewable dewormer for puppies is not rejected and the full dose of dewormer is eaten
- Recommended Use: For best results with PetArmor dog dewormer, read and follow label instructions; if you need to retreat your dog, we recommend consulting with a veterinarian and have them perform a fecal test to rule out other issues or parasites
What to do when you see worms
- Keep your dog away from shared play areas temporarily. Do not let children handle the stool, and prevent your dog from licking faces until treatment has started.
- Pick up the stool immediately. Use a bag, tie it securely, and put it in the trash. Do not compost dog feces.
- Take a clear photo. If the material is still available, place a small amount of fresh stool in a clean, leakproof container. Ask your veterinarian whether to bring it in and how it should be stored.
- Call your veterinarian. Tell the clinic your dog’s age, weight, symptoms, recent travel, flea exposure, hunting or scavenging habits, and whether the dog is pregnant or nursing.
- Give only the treatment prescribed or specifically recommended for your dog. Follow the dose and repeat-treatment instructions exactly.
Do not use a livestock dewormer, a leftover prescription, or a product intended for another species. The wrong ingredient or dose can be ineffective or dangerous, and some products do not treat the parasite your dog has.
How veterinarians get rid of intestinal worms
Your veterinarian may examine a stool sample under a microscope or send it to a laboratory. A single test can miss some parasites, so repeat testing may be recommended if symptoms continue or the dog is a puppy.
Treatment depends on the parasite:
- Roundworms and hookworms: Usually require a veterinary deworming medication, often with repeat doses because many products kill adult worms but not every developing stage.
- Tapeworms: Need a medication that specifically targets tapeworms. Flea control is essential, or the dog may become infected again after swallowing another flea.
- Whipworms: Often require a specific treatment plan and follow-up because their eggs survive in the environment for a long time.
- Giardia or other non-worm parasites: Need a different diagnosis and treatment; ordinary dewormers may not work.
Your dog may pass dead or dying worms after treatment. That does not necessarily mean the medicine failed, but contact the clinic if live worms continue to appear, diarrhea worsens, or your dog becomes unwell.
When worms are an emergency
Arrange urgent veterinary care if your dog has worms along with any of these signs:
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- Dewormer for Dogs: PetArmor 7 Way Chewable dewormer for small dogs treats and controls 7 species of worms: 2 types of tapeworms, 2 types of roundworms, and 3 types of hookworms
- Vet-Quality: These vet-quality puppy dewormer tablets are safe for puppies 12 weeks or older, and small dogs 6.0 to 25 lbs
- Dewormer Tablets: PetArmor broad spectrum dewormer with pyrantel pamoate for dogs comes in chewable tablets, making it easy and convenient to give to your dog
- How to Use: Watch your dog for a few minutes after dosing to make sure the chewable 7 Way Dewormer for dogs is not rejected and the full dose of dewormer is eaten
- Recommended Use: For best results with any PetArmor dog dewormer read and follow label instructions; if you need to retreat your dog, we recommend consulting with your veterinarian and performing a fecal test to rule out any other issues or parasites
- Repeated vomiting or inability to keep water down
- Severe, bloody, or black, tar-like diarrhea
- Pale or white gums
- Extreme weakness, collapse, or trouble breathing
- A swollen or painful abdomen
- Refusal to eat or drink
- Rapid weight loss or dehydration
Puppies, elderly dogs, pregnant dogs, and dogs with other illnesses can deteriorate quickly. Hookworms can cause serious anemia in young puppies even when no obvious worms are present in the stool.
How to clean your home and yard
Medication treats the dog, but hygiene helps stop the cycle.
- Remove feces from the yard every day. Wear disposable gloves, seal the waste, and wash your hands afterward.
- Wash bedding, blankets, and soft toys. Use the warmest safe wash setting and dry items completely.
- Clean indoor accidents promptly. Follow the surface manufacturer’s instructions and keep pets away until the area is dry.
- Control fleas. Treat every pet in the household with a veterinarian-approved flea product. Vacuum carpets, furniture, and floor edges regularly and empty the vacuum outside.
- Keep food and water bowls clean. Do not allow your dog to eat feces, hunt rodents, or scavenge dead animals.
- Wash hands after handling your dog or its waste. This is particularly important before eating and for children.
Some parasite eggs are resistant to ordinary household cleaners and can remain in soil for a long time. Prompt stool removal is more useful than trying to disinfect an entire lawn. Ask your veterinarian about the risks in your local area, especially if the yard is used by children.
Can people catch worms from dogs?
Some dog parasites can infect humans, although the risk is greatly reduced by routine veterinary care and good hygiene. Roundworm eggs can contaminate soil, while hookworm larvae can enter skin from contaminated ground. Children are at greater risk because they are more likely to play in soil and put dirty hands near their mouths.
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- Dewormer for Dogs: PetArmor 7 Way Chewable dewormer for small dogs treats and controls 7 species of worms: 2 types of tapeworms, 2 types of roundworms, and 3 types of hookworms
- Vet Quality Dewormer for Puppies: These vet-quality tablets are safe for puppies 12 weeks or older, and small dogs 6.0 to 25 lbs
- Dewormer Tablets: PetArmor broad spectrum tapeworm and hookworm dewormer for dogs comes in chewable tablets, making it easy and convenient to give to your dog
- How to Use: Watch your dog for a few minutes after dosing to make sure the chewable dog dewormer is not rejected and the full dose of dog tapeworm dewormer is eaten
- Recommended Use: For best results with any PetArmor canine dewormer, read and follow label instructions; if you need to retreat your dog, consult with your veterinarian and have them perform a fecal test to rule out any other issues or parasites
Keep children away from dog feces and places where dogs regularly defecate. Anyone who develops unexplained abdominal symptoms, an itchy winding skin rash, or vision changes after possible exposure should tell a healthcare professional about the dog’s parasite infection.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Preventing worms from coming back
Ask your veterinarian to create a parasite-prevention schedule based on your dog’s age, lifestyle, location, and risk factors. Puppies commonly need several fecal checks and scheduled deworming treatments because they can acquire parasites from their mother or the environment.
Year-round parasite prevention may cover some intestinal worms, but products differ. A heartworm preventive is not automatically a complete intestinal-worm treatment, and flea prevention is particularly important for preventing tapeworms. Regular fecal testing remains useful even when a dog receives preventive medication.
Also discourage drinking from puddles, eating feces, hunting, and scavenging. Clean up stool on walks and avoid dog parks while your pet has diarrhea or an untreated parasite infection.
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- PetArmor Sure Shot 2X Liquid De-wormer for Dogs removes 4 species of worms-2 roundworms and 2 hookworms-while preventing the reinfestation of large roundworms (T canis) in adult dogs
- This vet-quality liquid dewormer is safe for puppies 2 weeks and older and dogs of all sizes and breeds
- Administer 1 full teaspoon (5 mL) for each 10 lbs. of your dog's body weight
- Puppies should be treated with PetArmor Dewormer at 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 10 weeks
- Adult dogs should be treated in monthly intervals if in heavily contaminated quarters
FAQ
Can I get rid of worms in my dog’s poop without going to the vet?
You should speak with a veterinarian before choosing a dewormer. Different parasites require different medications, and some infections need repeat treatment or a separate flea-control plan. A fecal test can also identify parasites that are not visible.
Why are there white rice-like pieces in my dog’s poop?
Rice-like pieces are often tapeworm segments. Dogs commonly get tapeworms by swallowing infected fleas or prey. Your veterinarian can prescribe an appropriate tapeworm treatment, and every pet in the home may need effective flea prevention.
Are worms in dog feces dangerous to puppies?
They can be. Roundworms and hookworms may cause poor growth, diarrhea, vomiting, anemia, or a swollen abdomen. Seek prompt veterinary care for a puppy with worms, weakness, pale gums, bloody stool, or repeated vomiting.
How long does it take for dog worms to go away after treatment?
It varies by parasite and medication. You may see dead or dying worms shortly after treatment, while some infections require repeat doses and follow-up testing. Contact your veterinarian if live worms continue, symptoms worsen, or your dog does not improve.
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The Bottom Line
Worms in dog poop are a reason to call your veterinarian, not a reason to experiment with medication. Photograph the material, bring a fresh stool sample if requested, clean up feces immediately, control fleas, and follow the complete treatment plan. Get urgent help for a puppy or any dog with weakness, pale gums, vomiting, bloody stool, dehydration, or a swollen abdomen.
