Holistic Homemade Tapeworm Pet Remedy

Tapeworm, a type of parasite that infects cats and dogs, attaches itself to the intestinal wall. Left untreated, tapeworms cause gastrointestinal upset and eventual blockage. Some owners administer homemade holistic remedies to avoid the side effects of traditional medications.

  1. Diagnosis

    • Confirm a tapeworm diagnosis before giving a cat or dog any holistic remedy. In addition to assessing your pet's symptoms--which may include diarrhea, constipation and weight loss--your veterinarian can make this diagnosis by testing a fecal sample.

    Remedies

    • Wormwood and ruta graveolens are among the non-pharmaceutical remedies you can use for a pet's tapeworm infection. You can purchase leaves of wormwood or ruta online or get them from a vet who specializes in holistic medicine. Grind up the leaves, soak in hot water to make a tea, and add to your pet's food, according to The Daily Puppy.

    Dosing

    • Consult your veterinarian or a specialist in homeopathic animal care to determine what strength of tea and how much to use for tapeworm. The amount of wormwood tea you give a cat, for example, will be different from what you give a dog, and a professional should be your guide.

    Controlling Fleas

    • Animals typically contract tapeworms from swallowing fleas, which serve as host to tapeworm larvae. Keep fleas under control with appropriate over-the-counter anti-flea remedies, and maintain a hygienic environment to help prevent reinfection.