How often should you deworm your dog?

For an adult dog, the standard recommendation is 4 deworming treatments per year, or once every 3 months. This is the average rhythm advised by ESCCAP, the European reference organisation for pet parasites.

This frequency can be adjusted to the dog's lifestyle. A hunting dog, a farm dog, a dog that eats everything off the ground, or one living with a young child or an immunocompromised person, may need more frequent deworming. Conversely, a dog with low exposure can follow the standard rhythm. In all cases, deworming is never completely stopped: a dewormer acts on the parasites present on the day of treatment, it does not provide long-term protection.

Puppies are much more vulnerable than adult dogs: they can become infected very early, sometimes even before birth (roundworms are transmitted from mother to foetus during pregnancy) or through nursing. The protocol is therefore much stricter.

According to ESCCAP, puppy deworming should begin from 2 weeks of age, then the treatment should be repeated every 2 weeks, and finally, deworming should occur monthly until 6 months of age. After this, the dog gradually transitions to the adult schedule. This high frequency is explained by the rapid development of worms and the serious risks they pose to a young, growing animal.

Yes, lifestyle is the main adjustment factor. A dog that spends a lot of time outdoors, hunts, lives in the countryside, or interacts with other animals is more exposed and warrants more frequent deworming (strictly quarterly, or even monthly for the most exposed dogs).

The presence of young children in the home is also a reason to maintain a strict schedule: some dog worms, such as roundworms, can be transmitted to humans. Toxocariasis mainly affects children who play in soil or sandpits and put their hands in their mouths. Regular deworming thus protects both the dog and its environment.

This is a common recommendation from ESCCAP, especially due to the risk of certain parasites like Echinococcus. A stay in a new region, contact with other animals, or a different environment can expose the dog to parasites it wouldn't normally encounter. Deworming upon return helps mitigate this risk. If in doubt about your dog's exposure, your vet can advise you on the most suitable time and product.