Can I give my dog wormwood?

How do you get rid of worms in a dog?

Every dog owner should understand that your furry friend can be victim of intestinal worms and as to how you can eliminate the worms. Worms are of different types such as tapeworm, roundworms, hookworms and whipworms and intestinal worms in dogs can cause health issues and needs to be expelled out from the body at the earliest with a de-worming medicine. We all know that wormwood is a popular remedy for expelling intestinal worms from the digestive tract in humans. But can you give your dog wormwood to get rid of the parasites in your dog’s gut? The answer is given below……

The answer is yes, if needed, but only under the guidance of a veterinarian

Although wormwood is an effective remedy for expelling intestinal worms, the herb can cause irritation in some dogs. Hence it is advisable to give your dog wormwood, only after consultation with your dog’s veterinary doctor.

Symptoms of intestinal worms in dogs

Dogs can get infested by intestinal worms through several ways such as contact with the infested soil, from the feces of the infested dogs, from certain food which are not cooked properly, or spread by fleas or sometimes the puppies get infested by worms passed on from their mother. The worms will live in the intestines of the dogs and cause problems. Some of the symptoms of worms in dogs are:

• Coughing
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Rubbing its bottom on the ground
• Hair loss
• Lethargy
• Anemia
• Dehydration
• Weight loss
• Pot-bellied appearance
• Skin dryness and itchiness

If you notice any of the symptoms above, take your dog to the veterinarian immediately and start wormwood under his advice, because if leaf untreated, intestinal worms can cause damage to the internal organs and even death.

Benefits of wormwood

Wormwood is a small shrubby bush with greenish gray leaves and has vermifuge properties to expel the worms and vermicide properties to kill the worms and has been used from ancient times for expelling parasites from the body. Wormwood contains chemicals that have the power to disable the parasites and prevent them from reproducing. The herb can destroy the eggs also. The whole plant is used as anti-parasitic though it is the flowers which are more effective for expelling worms.

Dangers of using wormwood

• Damage the nervous system
• Irritate the liver and kidney
• Should not be used by dogs suffering from liver and kidney disease
• Should not be used by dogs suffering from seizures
• Should not be used by pregnant dogs
• Should not be used by lactating dogs

Dosage of wormwood

The dosage of wormwood is a vital factor. The right dosage and the right frequency is very important because less dosage is ineffective and overdose can become fatal. Your dog might refuse to take wormwood because of its bitter taste.

Dried wormwood: ¼ tsp added to your dog’s food.

Tincture: 1/8 tsp of tincture at mealtime.

Warning: Do not use wormwood for more than three consecutive days.

We have all heard of the ancient proverb “as bitter as wormwood”. Yes, this bitter herb has been used for thousands of years as worm expeller. But giving your dog wormwood might create problems for him and it has to be used with a lot of care. Hence give wormwood to your dog, only under the strict advice from your veterinarian. Though it is useful herb for expelling intestinal herbs, because of the risks involved in consuming this herb, it is advisable to look out for an alternative, less invasive remedy, which encourage worm expulsion and are less problematic.

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