You’re sitting on the rug, petting your golden retriever, and then you see it. A tiny, rice-like segment wiggling near their tail. Your stomach drops. It’s gross. Honestly, it’s one of the most frustrating parts of being a dog parent. You want those parasites gone, and you want them gone fast, but maybe you’re hesitant about dropping heavy chemical dewormers into your dog’s system every few months.
Trying to figure out how to naturally get rid of dog worms is a rabbit hole of old wives' tales and genuine holistic science. Some people swear by pumpkin seeds; others think garlic is the devil. The reality is a bit more nuanced. Natural remedies can be incredibly effective for maintenance and mild infestations, but they aren't magic bullets. You have to understand the life cycle of the parasite to actually win the war.
The Reality of Natural Deworming
Most people think a single dose of something "natural" will clear a gut full of roundworms. It won't. Natural protocols usually work by making the digestive tract an inhospitable environment for the worms, rather than poisoning them instantly like a synthetic praziquantel or fenbendazole treatment does.
Why Pumpkin Seeds Are Actually Legit
This isn't just some Pinterest DIY trend. Raw, organic pumpkin seeds contain an amino acid called cucurbitacin. This compound has been shown to paralyze the worms. When the worms are paralyzed, they lose their grip on the intestinal wall and eventually get swept out through the stool.
You can’t just toss a few seeds on their kibble and call it a day, though. You need to grind them into a fine powder. For every 10 pounds of body weight, aim for about a quarter teaspoon once or twice a day. Don't use the salted, roasted ones from the snack aisle. Those are for you, not the dog. Get the raw, green pepitas.
The Great Garlic Debate
If you mention garlic in a Facebook dog group, prepare for a civil war. Many vets will tell you garlic is toxic to dogs because it contains thiosulfate, which can cause Heinz body anemia. While that is factually true in massive quantities, many holistic practitioners, like Dr. Pitcairn, author of the Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats, argue that small, controlled amounts are actually one of the best ways to naturally get rid of dog worms.
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Garlic acts as a natural antibiotic and antiparasitic. The trick is "the rest." You have to crush or mince fresh organic garlic and let it sit for about 10 to 15 minutes before feeding. This allows the allicin—the active component—to develop. For a large dog, half a clove is usually plenty. For a tiny Yorkie? Maybe just a tiny sliver. If your dog has a history of anemia or is a Japanese breed like an Akita or Shiba Inu (who are more sensitive to garlic), skip this one entirely.
Diatomaceous Earth: The Mechanical Killer
Food-grade Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is basically fossilized algae. To us, it feels like soft flour. To a worm or a flea, it’s like walking over a field of broken glass. It works mechanically by dehydrating the parasite’s exoskeleton.
- It must be Food Grade. Never use pool-grade DE; it’s toxic.
- Mix it thoroughly into wet food. If the dog inhales the dust, it can irritate their lungs.
- Consistency matters. You typically need to feed this for at least 30 days to ensure you’re hitting the worms as they hatch.
What Most People Get Wrong About Tapeworms
If your dog has tapeworms, you likely have a flea problem. Tapeworms require an intermediate host—the flea. The dog eats the flea while licking a paw, and boom, tapeworms. You can give all the pumpkin seeds in the world, but if you don't kill the fleas in your carpet and yard, the worms will be back in two weeks. It's a cycle. To naturally get rid of dog worms of the tape variety, you have to treat the environment as much as the dog.
Carrots and "Scouring" the Gut
This sounds too simple to be true. It's just carrots. But here’s the thing: dogs can’t really digest big chunks of raw carrots. If you give your dog coarsely chopped (not finely grated) raw carrots, those orange bits move through the digestive tract largely intact. As they move, they act like a literal scrub brush, physically scraping mucus and parasites off the intestinal lining. It’s not a "kill" method, but it’s an excellent "eviction" method.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Gut pH
Worms love a specific environment. If you change the pH of the dog’s gut, the worms get uncomfortable. Adding a teaspoon of raw, unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar (with "the mother") to their water bowl can make their internal environment more alkaline. It also boosts the immune system, which is your dog’s first line of defense. A healthy dog with a robust microbiome is much less likely to host a massive parasite colony than a dog with a compromised gut.
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The Limits of Holistic Treatment
Let's be real for a second. If your puppy has a bloated "potbelly," is lethargic, and is vomiting up spaghetti-like roundworms, natural remedies might be too slow. Heavy infestations can cause intestinal blockages or severe anemia.
In those cases, you use the "big guns" from the vet to clear the crisis, and then you use the natural methods to prevent them from ever coming back. It’s not an all-or-nothing game. It’s about being a smart advocate for your pet's health.
Why You Need a Fecal Test
You can't treat what you haven't identified. Different worms respond to different things. Whipworms are notoriously hard to kill naturally because their eggs can live in the soil for years. Hookworms are dangerous because they drink blood. Spend the $40 at the vet for a fecal flotation test. Once you know exactly which "tenants" are living in your dog's gut, you can tailor your natural approach.
Dietary Changes That Help
Worms love sugar and starch. Most low-quality kibbles are packed with fillers that break down into simple sugars. If you’re trying to naturally get rid of dog worms, consider switching to a high-protein, low-carb diet—or even raw feeding if you’re comfortable with it. A carnivore’s digestive tract is short and acidic, which is naturally resistant to many parasites. When we fill that tract with grains and dyes, we slow things down and create a cozy home for worms.
Papaya and Pineapple
These fruits contain enzymes—papain and bromelain. These enzymes actually help break down the protein structure of the worms themselves. It’s basically digesting the digester. A few chunks of fresh papaya can be a powerful (and delicious) tool in your deworming kit. Just don't overdo it, or you'll be dealing with diarrhea, which is a whole other mess.
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Keeping the Yard Clean
This is the boring part. No one wants to hear it. But if you leave poop in the yard, your dog is just going to reinfect themselves. Worm eggs are microscopic. They stick to paws. The dog licks the paw. The cycle restarts. Scoop the poop immediately. If you've had a known infestation, you might even want to hose down the area or keep the dog to a specific "potty patch" that you can manage more easily.
Actionable Steps for a Worm-Free Dog
If you’re ready to ditch the chemicals and try the natural route, follow this protocol for at least three weeks.
First, get that fecal test done. You need a baseline. Second, start the "Triple Threat" approach: ground pumpkin seeds daily for the paralyzing effect, coarsely chopped carrots for the physical scrubbing, and a bit of food-grade DE mixed into their meals to deal with the larvae.
Third, monitor the poop. It sounds gross, but you need to see what's coming out. You might see more worms at first—that’s actually a good sign. It means they're leaving. Finally, re-test the stool in 30 days. If the test comes back clear, you've successfully managed the situation naturally. Keep up with the pumpkin seeds once or twice a week as a preventative, and keep those fleas far away from your house. Your dog’s gut—and your rug—will thank you.