Dewormer for Dogs Without a Vet Prescription

Yes, there are a number of over-the-counter dewormers available for dogs. These medications address a number of common parasites, including roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms, all of which can do harm to your dog’s health. 

Even though these non-prescription dewormers are available without the help of a vet, we still recommend speaking to a vet before administering to your dog. They can advise you on the best formulation for your dog, dosage and administration, side effects, and any potential drug interactions. 

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Yes, non-prescription dewormers can be an effective solution for treating a range of different parasites. These medications are known as anthelmintics and kill common parasites that are living in your dog’s body. 

Non-prescription dewormers are designed to address specific types of parasites, so it’s helpful to know which type of parasite your dog is currently suffering from to ensure a non-prescription dewormer will address it. If you’re unsure which parasite is causing your pet’s health concerns, talk to a vet.

Your vet can advise on the best non-prescription dewormer for your dog’s needs. We carry a selection of veterinary favorites, including over-the-counter and prescription options:

• Panacur C: This broad-spectrum non-prescription parasiticide is available over the counter. It can be used to treat ascarid, hookworm, whipworm, and tapeworm infestations. 
• Simparica Trio: Simparica Trio is a prescription-only all-in-one preventative medication that protects against fleas and ticks in addition to treating parasites like  heartworm, roundworms, and hookworms. 
• Heartgard: Another prescription-only parasiticide and preventative medication, Heartgard can be used to both prevent heartworm and to treat ascarid and hookworm infections.

In some cases, you won’t need a prescription for dog dewormers. There are plenty of non-prescription dewormers to choose from that are effective in eliminating parasitic infections. If you’ve used a non-prescription dewormer and aren’t seeing results, talk to your vet. They can decide whether something stronger is needed or if your dog’s symptoms are being caused by a different health concern.

Common signs of parasitic worms in dogs include: 

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting 
• Letharge 
• Weight loss 
• Muscle wasting 
• Weakness 
• Swollen abdomen
• Anemia

If you think your dog may have worms, you can check their stool for evidence. Some types of worms are excreted through your dog’s digestive system and will be visible in their stool. Others may be visible around your dog’s rectum or in their vomit. If you do find a worm, bring it into the vet so they can use it to identify your dog’s parasite.