Keeping up with a consistent worming schedule for your dog is one of the simplest ways to protect their health — yet it's one of the most commonly overlooked tasks. Whether you're figuring out how often to worm a puppy or maintaining an adult dog's routine, the right timing makes all the difference. Here's everything you need to know to stay on track.
Why Regular Worming Matters
Intestinal worms — including roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, and whipworms — can quietly damage your dog's gut, steal vital nutrients, and even pose a risk to human family members. Many infected dogs show no visible symptoms until the worm burden becomes severe.
A proactive worming schedule for dogs of every age is far easier (and cheaper) than treating a full-blown infestation. Prevention also reduces environmental contamination, which helps protect other pets in your household.
How Often Should You Worm a Puppy?
Puppies are especially vulnerable because they can contract roundworms from their mother before birth or through nursing. That's why the dosing frequency for young dogs is much higher than for adults.
Recommended puppy worming timeline:
- 2 weeks of age: First dose — then repeat every 2 weeks until 12 weeks old.
- 12 weeks to 6 months: Worm once per month.
- 6 months onward: Transition to an adult schedule (see below).
If you've ever wondered how often you should worm a puppy, the short answer is frequently. Those fortnightly doses in the first few months are critical because puppies can carry heavy worm loads that affect growth, energy, and immune development.
Quick tip: Weigh your puppy before every dose. Puppies grow fast, and an accurate weight ensures the product works effectively. Most quality wormers are dosed by weight, so double-check the packet each time.
Worming Schedule for Adult Dogs
Once your dog reaches six months of age, a quarterly worming schedule is the widely accepted standard. That means dosing once every three months — four times per year.
Some owners find it helpful to align treatments with the start of each season, making it easy to remember. Setting a recurring calendar reminder takes the guesswork out of the routine entirely.
Dogs that spend significant time around other animals, eat raw diets, or have a habit of scavenging may benefit from more frequent worming. In these situations, a monthly schedule may be more appropriate. Browse our full range of flea, tick, and worm treatments for dogs to find options that fit your pet's needs.
Senior Dogs & High-Risk Cases
Older dogs should continue on a standard quarterly schedule at minimum. Age alone doesn't reduce worm exposure — in fact, a declining immune system can make seniors more susceptible to heavy infestations.
High-risk dogs include those that:
- Live with or near young children (zoonotic risk).
- Regularly interact with unfamiliar dogs at parks or boarding facilities.
- Have a history of flea infestations (fleas transmit tapeworm).
- Hunt or scavenge prey animals.
For any dog in these categories, stepping up to a monthly worming routine is a practical precaution. Combining an intestinal wormer with heartworm prevention covers a broader spectrum of parasites — check our dog parasite prevention collection for bundled options.
Choosing the Right Worming Product
Not all wormers treat the same parasites. When selecting a product, confirm it targets the specific worm types common in your dog's environment. A broad-spectrum wormer is generally the most convenient choice for routine prevention.
Trusted formulations like those in the Drontal range cover multiple intestinal worm species in a single tablet, simplifying your dosing routine. Tablets, chewables, and spot-on formulas are all available — choose whichever format your dog accepts most easily.
Key things to look for when shopping:
- Spectrum of coverage: roundworm, hookworm, whipworm, and tapeworm at minimum.
- Weight-appropriate dosing: Always match the product to your dog's current weight.
- Palatability: Flavored chews can make dosing stress-free for fussy dogs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you worm a dog too often?
Modern broad-spectrum wormers are formulated to be well tolerated, but there's no benefit to dosing more frequently than recommended for your dog's age and risk level. Stick to the schedule that matches your pet's life stage and adjust only if circumstances — like flea exposure or scavenging habits — call for it.
What are the signs a dog needs worming?
Common indicators include a pot-bellied appearance (especially in puppies), weight loss despite a normal appetite, diarrhea, visible worm segments in stool, and scooting. However, many dogs carry worms without showing any obvious signs, which is why preventive dosing on a set schedule is so important.
Can I give a wormer and a flea treatment at the same time?
In most cases, yes. Many owners synchronize their dog's flea, tick, and worming treatments to keep everything on one calendar date. Just be sure both products are appropriate for your dog's weight and age, and read each label for any specific guidance.
Ready to stock up? Browse our complete selection of dog flea, tick, and worm prevention products and keep your dog's worming schedule on track — if you have any concerns about your pet's parasite risk, a quick chat with your vet can help tailor the plan to your dog's lifestyle.