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Table of Contents
Reinfection is more common than you think
Not all wormers are equal
The worm life cycle is sneaky
You might be missing the signs
Environmental hygiene matters
Are you worming often enough?
Underlying health issues
It goes without saying that worms are yucky and frustrating. But if you've done your bit — picked up the deworming tablets, maybe even tried to disguise them in a bit of cheese — why are the worms still bothering your pet??
Worms are persistent and getting rid of them isn’t always as simple as one pill and job done. Keep reading to find out how to remove worms from your dog for good!
Reinfection is more than likely the reason your dog still has an itchy bottom. Deworming treatment only kills the worms that are currently in your dog’s system — it doesn’t prevent new ones from setting up shop.
Dogs can pick up worm eggs or larvae from a surprising number of places:
Sniffing or eating infected faeces
Rolling around in contaminated soil
Drinking from puddles or stagnant water
Hunting and eating small critters like rodents
Fleas (because fleas can give your pet worms)
Here’s where things get a bit technical. Not all dewormers target all types of worms. Some only deal with roundworms, others with tapeworms, and a few cover the lot — but even then, they may vary in how effective they are depending on the dosage.
There are five main types of intestinal worms that affect dogs in the UK:
Some worms, especially roundworms, have a bit of a sneaky lifecycle. Eggs can lie dormant in your dog’s body or environment and hatch later. Others have stages in their life cycle that aren't affected by standard treatments.
This means you might get rid of adult worms with one dose, but then the larvae mature a few weeks later and — ta-da! — you're back to spotting rice-like segments in your dog’s poo or seeing them scoot their bum along the carpet. Lovely.
This is why we recommend repeat dosing, especially for puppies or dogs with a high risk of reinfection. It’s not about overdoing it — it’s about timing it right. A convenient dewormer subscription might help with this. Itch Wormer for Dogs is tailored to your pet, delivered every 3 months, for exactly when you need it… So you never forget.
Sometimes, your dog may still have worms but not show obvious signs — or the signs might be easy to miss.
The key symptoms that point to worms are:
Weight loss
Worms can affect your pet's appetite and nutrient absorption, leading to weight loss and lethargy.
A bloated belly
Some worms can cause bloating and a distended abdomen. If your pet's stomach appears larger than usual, it's a cause for concern.
Visible worms in poo or vomit
For tapeworms, the presence of small, rice-like segments in your pet's bedding or around their rear end is a common symptom. For a picture of worms in pets click here.
Scooting their bum across the floor
Intestinal discomfort caused by worms can result in excessive scratching, scooting, or dragging their bottom along the ground.
Worms can still be doing damage internally even if your dog seems perfectly chipper on the outside. Regular worming isn’t just about treating symptoms — it’s about prevention.
Even if you're doing everything right with worming tablets, the environment plays a huge role in keeping your dog worm-free.
Some quick tips to help reduce the chances of reinfection:
Pick up your dog’s poo promptly (even in the back garden!)
Wash bedding and toys regularly
Flea-treat your dog consistently — fleas are carriers of tapeworm eggs
Stop your dog from scavenging or eating random things on walks
Keep food and water bowls clean
Don’t let your dog drink from puddles or eat dead animals (easier said than done, we know)
If you’ve got other pets, remember they could be passing worms around like party favours, so make sure they’re treated too. Treat your pets for worms and fleas. Try the Itch Flea and Worm plan for which protects your dog with monthly treatments, that are delivered straight to your door, for free!
Adult dogs typically need worming every three months, but if your dog is an avid scavenger, spends a lot of time around other animals, or has a weakened immune system, they might need more frequent treatment.
Puppies, by the way, need worming far more often — usually every 2–3 weeks until they’re 12 weeks old, then monthly until they’re six months. Look at our puppy worming guide here.
Not sure if you are deworming your pet enough? Chat to our friendly, qualified Vet Team. We’re here to help!
In rare cases, a dog with a weakened immune system or certain health conditions might be more vulnerable to ongoing worm problems. If your dog is regularly getting worms despite proper treatment and good hygiene, it is wise to visit your vet.
With a bit of persistence, the right worming plan, and some changes to your dog’s environment or habits, you can get on top of it. If in doubt, chat to the qualified team at Itch… We’ve heard it all before and can help you figure out what’s really going on.
Vet strength flea and worm treatments, tailored to your pet and delivered for free, every month, so you never forget.
Itch Flea kills adult fleas on your pet in 24 hours and halts all other flea life stages. Itch Wormer kills all common intestinal worms and prevents newly hatched larvae from growing and multiplying.
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Intestinal worms are nasty wrigglers that can be a real bother for you, your family and your pet. Fortunately, you can prevent this being a problem with a regular pet worming routine. Follow our advice on regularly deworming your cat or dog to say goodbye to ringworms, tapeworms, whipworms and hookworms in no time.
Worms are tiny troublemakers that can sneak into our pets' lives, causing discomfort and potential health issues. Don't panic! Here's everything you need to know about spotting worms and how to treat them. Keep reading to protect your pet, family and home...
Strolling through the fields in the fresh air is one of the many highs of owning a dog - that is until they start sniffing for that important, poo spot. Picking up your dog’s poo is far from glamorous but you shouldn’t turn a blind eye. It’s your duty to scoop up your dog’s poop and if you don’t, it can lead to a fine or even a poorly pooch.
