Instructions
Monitor your dog's eating habits. A decrease in appetite or a drop in weight despite a healthy appetite may be a sign of worms. A dog that is normally interested in treats and then shows no enthusiasm for them may be infected with a tapeworm.
Observe your dog's general health. Coughing, vomiting, diarrhea and a lack of energy can accompany many types of worms. If your dog has trouble breathing and isn't able to perform normal exercise, have it tested for heartworms as soon as possible.
Smell your dog's breath. Puppies with worms often have an unpleasant odor in their mouths. Pale gums can indicate anemia, a sign of a hookworm infestation.
Examine your dog's external appearance for symptoms of worms. An enlarged belly or dull coat can indicate an infestation. If a young dog's growth seems arrested, ask your veterinarian about a possible hookworm problem.
Note indicative behaviors, including the consumption of feces and a propensity to drag its bottom along the ground.
Inspect your dog's feces for white segments which may be pieces of a tapeworm. Roundworm eggs may also be seen in a dog's excrement.
How to Tell If Your Dog Is Wormy?
Dogs are susceptible to five kinds of worms, all of which are actually parasites. Roundworms and hookworms are found in dogs of all ages but are more common in puppies. Whipworms, tapeworms and heartworms -- the most dangerous parasite found in canines -- are more often found in older dogs. If your dog engages in certain behaviors, it may be more apt to contract a worm. For instance, consumption of other dogs' feces or raw meat may result in the ingestion of intestinal worms.