On rare occasions, you might find worms in your dog’s water bowl. This is especially if you have not changed the water for some days and the bowls are placed outdoors. The chances are that your dog will ingest the worms and it is not healthy.
If you find white worms in dog water bowls, you should pour the water, sterilize the bowl, and put fresh water. In some instances, you can throw away the bowl. You should change the position of the bowl and place it inside the dog’s place. You should later visit your vet for deworming medicines.
Different types of worms can be found in your dogs’ water bowl. Some of these worms can cause harm to your dog while others will just cause minor reactions.
White worms in dog’s water bowl
These white, long worms are also known as Gordian worms. They are mostly found in the bodies of insects and crustaceans but not in dogs and cats.
They live near water bodies and wait to be ingested by insects and crabs. They later grow inside their bodies and will lure them to jump into water bodies.
The dog will ingest it but it will not result to any serious issue to him. The worm will later be passed out in the form of vomit or stool. The exception will be if the dog is old or has an underlying health issue.
Black Worms in Dog Water Bowl
If you notice a black worm in your dog’s water bowl, it might be a mosquito or insect larvae.
Just like the Gordian worm, they do not pose any health risk to your dog. Old and sick dogs will be affected.
If your dog consumed mosquito larvae, he can destroy it with stomach acid and no disease will be transmitted.
Though, if the pupae had already transformed into a mosquito, it will lead to health issues. The mosquitoes will lead to heartworm disease which is signified by;
- Dry cough
- Limbs swelling
- Jaundice
- Anemia
- Weakness
- Loss of stamina
- Shortness of breath
- Fainting
To minimize the risk, you should wash the bowl regularly to stop the larvae from growing.
Tiny Brown Worms in Water Bowl
If there are brown worms in the water bowl, they can be mistaken for mosquito larvae. Though many types of worms are brown, the most common and dangerous ones are roundworms.
Roundworms are stubborn and they attack the digestive system of your dog. They can result in many health problems and they are hard to eliminate without the help of a vet.
They can easily spread from mother to puppy through breast milk.
The most noticeable symptoms are;
- Worms in the vomit and stool
- Rapid weight loss
- Vomiting
- Swollen abdomen
- Weakness
- Diarrhea
- Coughing
Every dog is likely to get invaded by roundworms in its lifetime. The best way to prevent roundworms is by ensuring that your doggo is timely vaccinated.
Red Worms in Dog Water Bowl
Noticing red worms in the water bawl can be alarming. They are at times dropped by flying insects as larvae. They might not cause serious health problems except for mosquito larvae which can lead to heartworm.
Even with the greatest care, it is hard to prevent your dog from ingesting worms especially when they go outdoors. Apart from drinking water with worms, dogs can get them from other materials.
How Do You Get Rid Of Worms In A Dog Without Going To The Vet?
You can decide to treat your pooch at home other than taking him to a vet. Nevertheless, a trip to a vet is the best method.
You can buy de-wormers from local stores, administer the meds as prescribed in the leaflet. You should not give your dog an underdose.
Natural ways can be used like feeding your dog the following;
- Turmeric
- Carrots
- Apple Cider
- Dried Coconut
- Vinegar
- Pumpkin Seeds
- Chamomile
Can Dogs Get Worms From Drinking The Same Water?
Dogs can get infected by worms if they take water from the same bowl which has worms. If a dog was infected from another source, the chances of spreading it to other dogs are rare.
You should separate the infected dog from the rest until he undergoes treatment.
Conclusion
Even before you’ve noticed white worms in a dog water bowl, make it a routine to wash and sanitize the bowl daily especially if the bowl is placed outdoors.
Dogs will get worms from water and other sources, you cannot monitor their every move. You should always visit your vet to warrant that your dog is not in danger of health complications caused by worms
Home remedies like feeding pumpkin seeds will help to flush out the worms before they can do any harm to your pooch.
