How to Use Pumpkin Seeds to Get Rid of Tapeworms

Tapeworms, or flatworms, are parasites that infect many mammals. The primary mode of transmission is by eating an infected flea, which is the intermediate host for these parasites. There are many medical and homegrown options for ridding pets of the parasites. Pumpkin seeds work just as effectively as the pills your veterinarian would prescribe to treat them.

Symptoms

Signs that your dog may be the victim of a tapeworm infestation usually consist of small, white to off-white, rice grain size egg packets being expelled in excrement. This is normally the only indication that anything is wrong, since the tapeworm infestation is usually mild to moderate. In animals with larger worm loads, you may see worms in the stool, diarrhea, vomiting (with or without worms present), weight loss, dull coat and fatigue.

Considerations

Tapeworm infections should be treated as soon as it is discovered since the tapeworms are robbing your dog of many vital nutrients he needs for good health. Treatment for their removal can be accomplished in a few ways. The easiest, safest and most cost effective way to treat tapeworm infection at home is to give your pet a dose of ground pumpkin seeds.

How to Administer Pumpkin Seed Treatment

Many people, however, prefer to treat their pets in a more natural way, if possible. Ground, raw pumpkin seeds have been shown to be at least moderately successful in the removal of tapeworms from dogs by creating an acidic environment in the digestive tract that breaks down the same protective protein layer surrounding the parasite. The pumpkin seeds should be as fresh as possible, ground into a fine powder and mixed in to the dog's normal diet for as long as the dog continues to pass egg segments. It is a completely safe, natural alternative to using medication, though if the dog is heavily infested, the pumpkin seed treatment should occur as a secondary protocol to Droncit.

The recommended dosage is 1/4 tsp to 1tsp should be used once daily until the owner no longer finds the telltale eg segments being expelled in the feces of the dog. The tapeworms should be expelled within a few days.

When to use Pumpkin Seeds to Treat Tapeworm Infections

Pumpkin seed treatments can be used on any animal species that is currently infected with the tapeworm parasite, including humans. It can also be incorporated into a daily preventive regimen to help protect dogs from tapeworm infections. This is particularly useful if your dog lives in a area that has large flea populations, such as in the southern and eastern United States. When using pumpkin seeds as a tapeworm preventative, use the recommended dosages above.

Warning

Pumpkin seeds are a natural laxative and can cause dogs to have loose stools or even diarrhea. If this occurs, cut back the dosage of pumpkin seed powder that is used. If the dog continues to have bouts of watery stools, discontinue the use of the pumpkin seed and seek veterinary advice.