Puppy Deworming & GI Transition Guide
Bringing home a new puppy is exciting — and a big transition for their little system. This guide explains your puppy’s deworming history, what comes next, what’s normal during the first week home, and gentle at-home products that can help the adjustment go smoothly.
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What I’ve Already Done (Breeder Deworming Schedule)
Your puppy has been dewormed on the following schedule:
3 weeks – Pyrantel pamoate
5 weeks – Pyrantel pamoate or fenbendazole
7 weeks – Pyrantel pamoate or fenbendazole
This schedule breaks the intestinal worm lifecycle and ensures your puppy leaves healthy, treated, and on track.
I also monitor puppies closely for any signs of parasites or digestive issues and treat individually as needed (including for coccidia or giardia).
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Normal GI Changes the First Few Days Home
It is very common for puppies to have temporary digestive changes during the 1–5 day transition into a new home. This is normal and caused by:
Stress from leaving littermates
Excitement
New routine
Different water
Different environment
Extra activity and stimulation
You may see:
Loose or soft stool
Mucus in stool
A small amount of bright red blood (stress colitis — harmless, temporary)
More frequent poops
Mild decrease in appetite
Extra gas or tummy gurgling
The transition home can cause temporary stomach upset, even in perfectly healthy puppies. This is completely normal and expected.
Just like human babies, puppies have delicate digestive systems that respond strongly to change. Once they settle in and relax, the stool typically normalizes on its own within several days.
Most puppies settle beautifully with routine, rest, and a consistent diet.
What You’ll Do Next (Puppy Parent Deworming Plan)
1. Deworm again at 9 or 10 weeks
Your veterinarian will typically give the next dewormer dose at your pup’s second vaccine appointment.
You also have the option of deworming your puppy yourself at 9 or 10 weeks. You will need a scale to weigh your puppy like this one:
You can use either of these products to deworm your puppy:
Sentry HC WormX DS Dewormer for Hookworms & Roundworms for Dogs, 2-fl oz bottle: https://www.chewy.com/sentry-hc-wormx-ds-dewormer-hookworms/dp/107310?utm_source=app-share&utm_campaign=107310
Safe-Guard Dewormer for Hookworms, Roundworms, Tapeworms & Whipworms for Small Breed Dogs, 3 day treatment: https://www.chewy.com/safe-guard-dewormer-hookworms/dp/249589?utm_source=app-share&utm_campaign=249589
2. Start monthly preventatives
When you take your puppy to your vet for their second vaccination, they will begin a monthly parasite-prevention product that covers:
Heartworm
Roundworms
Hookworms
(Some products also cover fleas, ticks, and whipworms)
This becomes your puppy’s long-term protection going forward.