Deworming 101

If you have animals, odds are you’ve had to deworm them, are on a regular deworming schedule, or probably will need to deworm your animals. At Jeffers, we take deworming seriously because it’s one of the most common - and preventable - issues affecting your horses, livestock, dogs, cats, and other animals.

What animals can get worms?

Any animal can get worms, from an animal that’s part of a herd to an indoor-only pet. Dogs, cats, horses, cattle, and other livestock are all susceptible to worms (helminths), roundworms (nematodes), and tapeworms (cestodes) to name a few.

Why does my animal have worms?

Animals pick up worms from coming into contact with the larvae or eggs of worms. They can accidentally ingest these from the soil, from grooming, or from fleas (for more information check out our Comprehensive Guide on Getting Rid of Fleas).

What happens if my animal gets worms?

You can look for signs to tell if your animal has worms such as weight-loss, vomiting, diarrhea, or a distended abdomen. If left untreated this can pose serious health risks to your animals. Fortunately, there are a variety of medications and prescriptions that are affordable and very effective in fighting worms in your animals.

Can I deworm my animals on my own?

The short answer is yes, you can, however you may still want to consult a veterinarian. Deworming, also referred to as worming or drenching, is a way to rid your animals of the parasites causing their issues. Jeffers offers a variety of over-the-counter and prescription deworming medications to aid in the removal of worms in your animals.

What medications should I use to fight worms in my animals?

For horses, we recommend Jeffers Ivermectin (1.87%) Horse Dewormer. This is our own broad-spectrum dewormer used to treat strongyles, pinworms, lungworms, roundworms, bots, and more. It works so well we put our name on it! Livestock worming treatments vary by animal type, worm type, and treatment type. For cattle, poultry, sheep, and goats you can find what you’re looking for in our broad Wormers & Dewormers category where you can sort and filter to your specific needs or go directly to sheep dewormer or similar sections. For pets, we carry a variety of deworming medications for dogs and wormers for cats that are suitable for any dog or cat of any age or size.

Where can I learn more about worming?

Check out some of our other articles below or give us a shout at customerservice@jefferspet.com or 1-800-JEFFERS. Cattle Deworming Strategy Equine Spring Checklist Oral Liquid, Paste, or Pour-on Wormer? Jeffers - your number one source for animal care products with trusted knowledge and quality service.