Top 5 Dewormers for Puppies in 2026

Reviewed by Tom Smith

Disclaimer: This article is intended as a general guide only and does not constitute veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before administering any treatment to your puppy. If you suspect your pet has a worm infestation, seek professional veterinary care promptly.

Recent studies show that Gastrointestinal Parasites (Worms) are increasing in prevalence within North America, including among younger dogs^[1]. This is of major concern for puppies, who face higher risks than adult dogs and can suffer developmental and severe health problems if left untreated.

We've reviewed the five best puppy dewormers available, covering what each one treats, who it suits best, and what vets recommend.

Quick Comparison: Best Dewormers for Puppies

Not sure which dewormer suits your puppy? Use the table below as a quick reference, then jump to the full review for detailed guidance.

Disclaimer: Always confirm suitability with your veterinarian before starting any deworming treatment. Not all treatments are suitable to all dogs.

Why Deworming Puppies Matters

While not every puppy will develop a worm infestation, virtually all will be exposed to intestinal parasites before reaching adulthood. Roundworms (ascarids) and hookworms are among the most common parasites found in dogs under one year of age — yet research suggests puppies under six months are among the least likely to receive preventative deworming treatment.^[2]

The consequences of untreated worms in puppies can range from mild to life-threatening. Infected puppies commonly show signs including poor weight gain, a dull coat, diarrhea, vomiting, and anemia. In more severe cases, puppies infected in utero or through their mother's milk can develop fatal anemia as early as one to two weeks of age — often before their first veterinary visit.

Common Worm Types

There are five common types of worms that are especially prevalent in puppies:

• Roundworm: The most common type of intestinal worm, making up on average 50% of infestations. Roundworms grow to be between three and five inches long and eat the food your pet ingests, stealing the nutrients.
• Hookworm: Too small to be observed with the naked eye, hookworm infestations are characterised by paleness and poor appetite. Severe hookworm infestations can be fatal in young puppies — any suspected infection warrants prompt veterinary attention.
• Tapeworm: Commonly transmitted through ingestion of infected fleas or rodents. Tapeworms breed within the large intestine and their eggs are excreted in faeces. Small white flakes or rice-like segments in your puppy's stool are a key indicator.
• Whipworm: Often caught through contaminated faeces or soil. Can result in bloody stool in more severe cases but may present no symptoms in smaller outbreaks.
• Heartworm: Contracted via mosquito bite, heartworms can grow to 30cm in length. Symptoms include coughing, lethargy, breathing issues and weight loss. Heartworm does not present in puppies until 6 months of age. Note: Heartworm is not an intestinal parasite.

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What Treatment Is Right for Me?

Choosing the right puppy dewormer depends on several factors: your puppy's age, size, and health status, the specific parasites present in your area, and how easily you can administer treatment consistently.

For many pet owners, an all-in-one monthly treatment covering fleas, ticks, and worms suits a busy lifestyle and reduces the need for multiple separate products. Others prefer combining a monthly broad-spectrum treatment with a targeted product for a specific parasite such as heartworm. If your puppy is a fussy eater, palatability matters too — most modern dewormers come in chew, tablet, or spot-on formats to suit different preferences.

The right choice will look different for every puppy and every household. Your veterinarian is best placed to recommend the most appropriate option based on your puppy's individual needs and the parasites most common in your region.

Selection Criteria

The five products featured in this guide were selected based on five criteria: breadth of coverage, suitability for young puppies, ease of administration, length of coverage, and price. All information on active ingredients and product details comes directly from the manufacturer's website. Where relevant, information has been cross-referenced with administration guidelines.

 

 

1. Drontal Allwormer Tablets for Small Dogs — Best for Intestinal Worm Treatment

Drontal All Wormer for Small Dogs is our choice if you are looking for the best treatment for targeting intestinal worms. It also offers an alternate application schedule to other treatments on this list.

Parasites Covered	Roundworm, Hookworm, Whipworm, Tapeworm
Active Ingredients	Praziquantel, Pyrantel Embonate, Febantel
Form	Tablet — Every 3 Months
Suitable For	Puppies up to 20lb
Minimum Age	6 Weeks
Prescription Required	Yes*

Why We Picked It: It is the only product on the list with coverage for three months, allowing for a much easier dosage schedule. The tablets are also tasty (or so I have been told) and can provide coverage for 12 months at a fraction of the cost of some other brands.

What It Treats: Drontal Allwormer Tablets target the four common intestinal parasites — roundworm, hookworm, whipworm, and tapeworm. Its formulation of Praziquantel, Febantel, and Pyrantel Embonate in tablet form allows for longer periods of coverage than monthly chews.

Pros	Cons
Covers four intestinal parasite types	Does not cover Heartworm, fleas, or ticks
Three monthly coverage	May require multiple tablets depending on animal size
Low cost	Prescription Required*

Best For: Owners who may struggle with monthly application or the costs of all-in-one treatments and just need intestinal worming protection.

Look Elsewhere If: You need all-in-one parasite protection or your dog struggles with tablets.

 

 

2. NexGard Spectra for Extra Small Dogs 4.4–7.1lb — Best All-In-One Treatment

If you are looking for a monthly set-and- forget treatment for all types of parasites, NexGard Spectra is the way to go. Providing monthly coverage not only to worms, but to fleas and ticks.

Parasites Covered	Fleas, Ticks, Roundworm, Hookworm, Whipworm, Tapeworm
Active Ingredients	Milbemycin Oxime, Afoxolaner
Form	Monthly Chew
Suitable For	Puppies up to 7.1lb
Minimum Age	8 Weeks
Prescription Required	Yes*

Why We Picked It: All-in-one treatments are a personal favourite of those with a busy schedule or picky dogs who do not want to use multiple treatments each month. The NexGard Spectra range is also one of the leading parasite preventative products available.

What It Treats: NexGard Spectra provides protection against fleas, ticks, and the major four intestinal worms.

Pros	Cons
Covers fleas, ticks and the four intestinal parasite types	Does not cover Heartworm
Highly palatable	Does not include comprehensive tapeworm protection
Monthly dosing	Prescription Required*

Best For: Dogs who are picky eaters and owners who prefer a single treatment for all parasites.

Look Elsewhere If: You need heartworm protection or prefer non-monthly application.

 

 

3. Interceptor Spectrum — Best for Broad Spectrum Heartworm and Intestinal Worm Treatment

Interceptor Spectrum offers the broadest parasite coverage of any product on this list, combining intestinal worm treatment with heartworm prevention in a single monthly chew.

Parasites Covered	Roundworm, Hookworm, Whipworm, Tapeworm, Heartworm
Active Ingredients	Milbemycin Oxime, Praziquantel
Form	Monthly Chew
Suitable For	Puppies up to 8.8lb
Minimum Age	From 6 Months
Prescription Required	Yes*

Why We Picked It: Few products combine intestinal worm coverage with heartworm prevention in a single dose. For owners who want one product that does it all, Interceptor Spectrum removes the need for separate treatments and simplifies a monthly routine.

What It Treats: Interceptor Spectrum targets four common intestinal parasites — roundworm, hookworm, whipworm, and tapeworm — while also preventing heartworm infection. Its two active ingredients, milbemycin oxime and praziquantel, work together to cover a broader spectrum than most single-ingredient products.

Pros	Cons
Covers five parasite types	Not suitable above 8.8lb
Monthly application	Does not cover fleas or ticks
Palatable chew format	Prescription Required*

Best For: Owners of small puppies wanting comprehensive monthly parasite coverage including heartworm in a single product.

Look Elsewhere If: Your puppy exceeds 8.8lb or you need flea and tick coverage included.

 

 

4. Advocate Spot-On for Puppies & Dogs up to 9lbs — Best for Spot-on/Topical Treatments

For puppies that resist tablets or chews, a spot-on treatment offers a practical alternative. Advocate is applied directly to the skin, delivering broad-spectrum parasite coverage without the challenge of oral administration.

Parasites Covered	Roundworm, Hookworm, Whipworm, Heartworm, Oesophageal Worm, Ear Mites, Lice, Fleas
Active Ingredients	Imidacloprid, Moxidectin
Form	Monthly Spot-On
Suitable For	Puppies up to 9lb
Minimum Age	From 7–8 Weeks
Prescription Required	Yes*

Why We Picked It: Out of the available topical treatments, Advocate provides the broadest protection, especially for worms and fleas. It is also one of the only worming products that protects against Oesophageal Worm.

What It Treats: Advocate Spot-On targets four common intestinal parasites excluding tapeworms — while also preventing heartworm infection. It also covers ear mites, lice, fleas, and Oesophageal Worm.

Pros	Cons
Topical treatment benefits fussy puppies	Can require hospitalisation if ingested by another pet
Broad coverage including mites and fleas	Does not cover ticks
Usable from an earlier age	Prescription Required*

Best For: Owners of fussy puppies who would not otherwise take parasite preventatives orally.

Look Elsewhere If: You have other pets who lick treated dogs or need tick protection included.

 

 

5. Simparica Trio for Puppies 2.8–5.5lbs — Best for Young Puppies

Simparica Trio offers the smallest weight range of coverage out of the five on our list, allowing for a more tailored formulation for your young puppy.

Parasites Covered	Roundworm, Hookworm, Whipworm, Tapeworm, Heartworm, Fleas, Ticks
Active Ingredients	Moxidectin, Sarolaner, Pyrantel
Form	Monthly Chewable
Suitable For	Puppies from 2.8–5.5lbs
Minimum Age	From 8 Weeks
Prescription Required	Yes*

Why We Picked It: No other preventative offers protection for such a specific weight range in puppies. If you are concerned about formulations being too strong for your puppy, this is a reliable option.

What It Treats: Simparica Trio provides protection against fleas, ticks, and the major four intestinal worms.

Pros	Cons
Effective from only four hours after application	Limited coverage for rapidly growing puppies
Broad coverage including tapeworms and heartworms	Only available in a 3-pack
Tailored formulation for smaller puppies	Prescription Required*

Best For: Owners of smaller puppies who want a more tailored formulation.

Look Elsewhere If: Your puppy is growing rapidly within the treatment window.

Can I Get These Products Without a Prescription?

Readers based in the United States or Canada may notice that several products in this list require a veterinary prescription in their region. In Australia, these same products are classified as over-the-counter medications and are available without a prescription. As an Australian-based retailer, Smartway Pet Supplies is able to supply these products in accordance with Australian law. Many countries, including the United States and Canada, permit the personal importation of pet medications within certain limits — making it possible to access these treatments conveniently and without delay.

We recommend verifying the importation rules applicable to your country before placing an order.

Conclusion

Choosing the right dewormer comes down to your puppy's specific needs, your lifestyle, and the parasites most common in your region. Any of the five products above represent a strong starting point — but always confirm suitability with your veterinarian before starting treatment. Browse our full range of puppy dewormers at Smartway Pet Supplies.

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