Tapeworms: How to Get Rid of Them

Tapeworms are a fairly common worm found in the dog’s small intestine. They can grow to around 7 inches (20 cm). They are white and they are segmented. The segments may be around 1/4 of an inch and they are often connected together. Sometimes the segments can become dry and break apart. You might see something that looks like pieces of white rice in your dogs stool or around his/her anus. These pieces are often found in your dogs bedding and your carpet.

How Does Your Dog Get These Worms?

This worm is developed with the assistance of a flea. The flea ingests fecal matter containing the worm’s eggs. The eggs hatch inside the flea. When your dog gets fleas, he/she bites and chews on their fur and skin to kill the flea, sometimes ingesting the flea. If the flea has the worms then your dog will get them. This is one reason for making sure that your dog does not have fleas. These worms can also be acquired if your dog eats a rodent or mouse with them.

Symptoms:

You may see the white worms crawling on your dogs bedding. They may be in his/her stool as well. If your dog starts scooting his/her behind on the carpet, this can be a sign of these worms. They may scratch their rear quarters because of the itching the dried worms cause.

Natural Treatment for Tapeworms:

1. Wheat Germ Oil: Add 1 teaspoon to your dogs food for several days until the worms are gone. You can get this at most health food stores.

2. Organic Ground Pumpkin Seed: Add 2 to 3 teaspoons of the powder to your dog’s food for several days, until you no longer see the worms.

3. Try adding some chopped carrots and/or beets to your dog’s food for several days. The roughage can help push the worms out of the digestive system.

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