The worms your pet can get
- Roundworms — spaghetti-like; common in puppies/kittens (pot belly). Can infect people.
- Hookworms — tiny but serious; feed on blood, can cause anaemia. Can infect people.
- Tapeworms — flat, segmented; you'll see rice-like segments near the bottom. Come from swallowed fleas.
- Whipworms — cause chronic diarrhoea.
(Heartworm — spread by mosquitoes — is a separate, serious problem prevented with specific medication; ask your vet if it's a risk in your area.)
Deworming schedule for Pakistan
| Age | How often | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 2–12 weeks | Every 2 weeks | Young animals are heavily exposed and worms stunt growth |
| 3–6 months | Once a month | Bridge to adult protection |
| Adult (6 months +) | Every 3 months | High parasite exposure in Pakistan — soil, streets, fleas |
MatchVet saves each deworming and its next due date in your pet's health record, so the schedule is never lost — see how vaccination records work alongside it.
Tapeworm and fleas go together
If you see rice-like segments, deworming alone won't keep them away — your pet is catching tapeworm from fleas. Treat both, or it comes straight back.
Why it's family health, not just pet health
Roundworms and hookworms can pass to people through contaminated soil or faeces, and children are most at risk. Routine deworming, cleaning up poop promptly, and hand-washing protect everyone at home. If you're unsure what your pet needs, a quick vet consult — or a home visit with a stool check — sorts it in minutes.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I deworm my dog or cat in Pakistan?
A common schedule: puppies and kittens every 2 weeks from about 2 weeks of age until 12 weeks, then monthly until 6 months, then every 3 months for adults. Because parasite exposure is high in Pakistan (streets, soil, fleas), every-3-months for adults is sensible. Your vet will confirm the product and dose by your pet's weight.
What are the signs my pet has worms?
Look for worms or rice-like white segments in the stool or around the bottom, a pot-bellied appearance (especially in puppies and kittens), weight loss despite eating, a dull coat, scooting (dragging the bottom), and sometimes vomiting or diarrhoea. Many pets with worms show few signs, which is why routine deworming matters.
My dog's poop has rice-like white bits — what is that?
Those are almost certainly tapeworm segments, which look like grains of rice and may still wriggle. Tapeworm usually comes from swallowing an infected flea during grooming, so treating tapeworm means also treating fleas — otherwise it comes back.
Can I catch worms from my pet?
Some can pass to people — roundworms and hookworms especially, usually via contaminated soil or faeces, and children are most at risk. Routine deworming, prompt poop clean-up, and hand-washing keep the whole household safe. This is one reason vets treat deworming as family health, not just pet health.
Janwar ko keeray (worms) hain — kaise pata chale?
Pakhane mein keeray ya chawal jaise safaid tukray, pet phoola hua (khaas kar bachon/puppies mein), wazan kam hona, coat dull hona, ya bottom ghaseetna — yeh worms ki nishaniyan hain. Pakistan mein exposure zyada hai is liye har 3 mahine deworming zaroori hai. Vet wazan ke hisab se sahi dawai batayega.
Sources & further reading
- Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) — Deworming guidelines
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) — Parasites: zoonotic worms
- Merck Veterinary Manual — Gastrointestinal parasites of dogs and cats
Medically reviewed by Dr. Yahya Nawaz (DVM, RVMP) — Founder of MatchVet · In-charge, Civil Veterinary Hospital, Ghang, Sheikhupura. This is general guidance, not a diagnosis; for your own pet, ask a verified vet.
