Puppy Deworming Schedule: When and How Often

Puppies need worming far more often than adult dogs, because many are born with roundworms or pick them up from their mother's milk. A typical schedule is every two weeks from about two weeks old until 12 weeks, then monthly until six months, then as your vet advises for an adult dog. Exact timings and products vary, so your vet should set the plan for your puppy.

Why puppies need worming

Roundworm larvae can pass from a mother dog to her puppies before birth and through her milk, so even puppies from clean, well-run homes are very often infected. Worms take nutrients from a growing puppy and, in heavy cases, can cause poor growth or even block the gut.

Worming also protects your family. Roundworm eggs passed in dog poo can survive in soil for years, and if swallowed — most often by young children playing outside — they can occasionally cause illness in people.

Common worms in puppies

• Roundworms. The most common worm in puppies. They can look like strands of spaghetti in poo or vomit.
• Tapeworms. Usually caught by swallowing fleas while grooming, or from eating raw meat or prey. Segments look like grains of rice around the bottom or in poo.
• Hookworms and whipworms. Less common in the UK than in some other countries, but they can cause diarrhoea, weight loss and anaemia.
• Lungworm. Spread by slugs and snails, and a growing concern in parts of the UK. It can be serious, and not every wormer covers it.
• Heartworm. Spread by mosquitoes in warmer parts of the world. Where it occurs, vets usually recommend year-round prevention.

Because no single product treats everything, ask your vet which parasites are a risk where you live.

A typical puppy worming schedule

Different guidelines and products use slightly different timings. The table shows a common pattern — your vet may adjust it.

Some vets continue more frequent treatment up to 16 weeks, and many puppies move on to a monthly product that covers several parasites at once. When you collect your puppy, ask for the dates and names of any wormers already given, and bring these to your first vet appointment. It fits neatly alongside the puppy vaccination schedule.

Signs your puppy may have worms

Many puppies with worms show no signs at all, which is why routine treatment matters. When signs do appear, they can include:

• A pot-bellied or bloated tummy
• Diarrhoea or vomiting, sometimes with visible worms
• Poor growth or weight loss despite a good appetite
• A dull, scruffy coat
• Rice-like segments around the bottom or in bedding
• Scooting or licking the bottom
• Coughing or breathing changes (possible with lungworm)

Reducing the risk at home

• Pick up poo straight away, in the garden and on walks.
• Keep up with flea treatment to help prevent tapeworm — see our guide to fleas and ticks on puppies.
• Wash hands after handling your puppy, and teach children to do the same.
• Cover sandpits, and lift toys and bowls left outside overnight where slugs and snails roam.
• Avoid feeding raw meat unless you've discussed it with your vet.

The bottom line

Worming is a simple, routine part of puppy care. Follow the plan your vet gives you, keep a note of every treatment, and you'll protect both your puppy and your family.