Deworming: how often, and why the schedule changes with age

Intestinal worms are close to universal in young animals in India, and several of them are transmissible to people — particularly to children. Deworming is routine, cheap and genuinely important.

The schedule

Puppies and kittens - Every two weeks from two weeks of age until twelve weeks - Then monthly until six months - Then quarterly for life

Adults - Every three months as standard - More often for dogs who scavenge, hunt, or live with young children

Pregnant and nursing mothers - Follow your vet's protocol; roundworms pass to the litter through the placenta and milk, so treating the mother protects the litter.

Why quarterly

The interval isn't arbitrary — it tracks the life cycle of common worms. Stretching it to twice a year lets a population re-establish between doses, which defeats the purpose.

Broad spectrum matters

A dewormer that covers roundworm only leaves tapeworm untouched. Tapeworm in particular is tied to fleas — a dog with recurring tapeworm almost always has a flea problem that hasn't been addressed.

Signs that there's a burden

A pot-bellied puppy with a dull coat; visible rice-grain segments around the tail; scooting; diarrhoea, sometimes with blood; weight loss despite a good appetite; coughing in heavy roundworm infections.

A clean-looking animal can still carry worms. The absence of signs is not evidence of absence.

Dose by weight

Underdosing is the most common mistake and it breeds resistance. Weigh your pet rather than estimating — a growing puppy can outpace your estimate in a fortnight.

For the household

Pick up faeces promptly, wash hands after handling pets and soil, keep children's sandpits covered, and keep the whole household's pets on the same schedule. Treating one pet in a multi-pet home is a short-lived fix.