How to Deworm a Dog with Tobacco: 5 Steps to Follow

Dog owners believe tobacco has properties that make it an effective deworming agent. While there is not enough data to support its use, evidence suggests that the nicotine present in tobacco disrupts the nervous system in worms. When your dog ingests the tobacco, it causes paralysis in worms, upon which they may die.

Also, nicotine has a laxative effect on a dog’s digestive system. Nicotine causes increased bowel movements in dogs, which helps expel the parasites in feces.

Despite the potential benefits, there are risks associated with using tobacco for deworming. Nicotine is highly toxic, and when ingested in excess, it can lead to severe health complications like vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and even death. For this reason, it’s crucial to understand how to deworm a dog with tobacco correctly.

This article discusses everything you need to know, including the type of tobacco and the right amount to administer.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

Tobacco contains nicotine, which disrupts the nervous system of worms and can cause paralysis and death.
Creating a tobacco infusion by steeping tobacco leaves in boiling water and administering it orally to the dog can be an alternative method for deworming.
It is important to use the correct nicotine dosage to prevent adverse effects or death in the dog.
Before using tobacco or any alternative natural remedy for deworming, it is crucial to consult with a veterinarian for guidance and to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Does Tobacco Kill Worms In Dogs?

As mentioned, tobacco contains nicotine, a highly toxic substance for many organisms, including worms. When worms ingest nicotine, the nervous system is first affected, where it binds to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.

This interaction stimulates these receptors, mimicking the action of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter. This stimulation releases neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine, resulting in various effects like altered locomotion and paralysis.

Depending on the amount of nicotine the worm ingests, it can die within the dog’s gastrointestinal system and eventually be expelled alongside the dog’s feces.

How to Deworm Your Dog With Tobacco

The best use of nicotine to deworm dogs involves creating a tobacco infusion. The process entails steeping tobacco leaves in boiling water and cooling the mixture. Once cooled, strain the liquid and administer it to the dog orally. The nicotine in the infusion acts as a poison to the parasites, causing paralysis and death.

Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Weigh your dog to determine the amount of tobacco to give it. You can use a pet weighing scale available on Amazon.
Boil water.
Add tobacco to the boiling water and steep it to release the extracts.
Put the extracts in a bottle and give it to your dog.
Observe your dog.

Another option is to add tobacco to your dog’s food, feed it, and wait for it to work. Both methods will give you the desired results, but you should be careful with the dosage.

The Type of Tobacco Used in Deworming Dogs

Not every tobacco is ideal for deworming dogs. The best tobacco to use for this case is chewing tobacco. While nicotine in cigarettes is a good option, chewing tobacco contains fewer chemicals.

How Much Tobacco Should You Use When Deworming Your Dog?

Before administering tobacco, the first thing you need to do is weigh the animal. Dogs that weigh more are less likely to be negatively affected by the side effects of nicotine. The opposite is true for dogs that weigh less.

The standard dosage for administering nicotine is 9–12 mg/kg. Anything more than that, and your dog will start exhibiting side effects. Without decontamination, it can lead to severe health complications, such as vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, seizures, and even death.

Can You Use Cigarette Tobacco to Deworm a Puppy?

Often, puppies are the most affected by worms. You can deworm puppies with tobacco, but only with a small amount. We recommend not using more than 9–12 mg/kg.

Why Does Your Dog Have Worms

Dogs can get worms through various means, and several types of worms can affect them. Worm infestations in dogs are common and can have various symptoms and health implications.

Here’s an overview of how dogs can get worms:

Ingesting Contaminated Food or Water: Dogs can get worms by ingesting contaminated food or water that contains worm eggs or larvae. These contaminants may be present in the environment, such as in soil or on surfaces where infected animals have defecated.
Fleas and Ticks: Some types of worms, such as tapeworms, can be transmitted to dogs by ingesting fleas or ticks carrying infected larvae. When dogs groom themselves and accidentally swallow fleas or ticks, they can become infected.
Eating Infected Animals: Hunting or scavenging dogs may ingest infected rodents, birds, or other small animals. These prey animals can carry various types of worms; if a dog eats them, they may also become infected.
Transplacental and Transmammary Transmission: In some cases, puppies can be born with worms because their mother passed them through the placenta or the mother’s milk (transmammary transmission).
Environmental Contamination: Dogs can pick up worm larvae from contaminated environments. For instance, if an infected dog defecates in a yard, park, or other public areas, the eggs or larvae from their feces can contaminate the soil. Dogs that come into contact with these contaminated areas and lick their paws or fur can ingest the worm larvae and become infected.
Social Interaction: Dogs that interact with other infected dogs, either through play or close contact, can potentially transmit certain types of worms, like roundworms or hookworms, as these worms can be shed in the feces of infected dogs.

Common worms that can affect dogs include roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, tapeworms, and heartworms. The specific symptoms and health consequences of worm infestations can vary depending on the worm type and the infection’s severity.

Symptoms Of Worms In Dogs

Various symptoms can indicate the presence of worms in dogs. These symptoms can vary depending on the type of worms present and the severity of the infestation.

One common symptom of worms in dogs is weight loss. Worms can cause a decrease in appetite and interfere with the dog’s ability to absorb nutrients, leading to gradual weight loss.

Additionally, dogs with worms may exhibit a bloated or distended abdomen. This can occur as the worms multiply and take up space in the dog’s intestines.

Another symptom is diarrhea, accompanied by mucus or blood in the stool. Dogs with worms may also experience vomiting, which can result from irritation in the gastrointestinal tract.

In some cases, worms may be visible in the dog’s stool or around the anus. These worms can appear as small, white, or off-white segments resembling rice grains.

It is important to note that not all dogs with worms will exhibit symptoms, especially in the early stages of infection. Therefore, regular deworming and monitoring of fecal samples is crucial to detect and treat worm infestations in dogs.

Why Is Tobacco Deadly To Worms

Tobacco, specifically nicotine, is effective in killing or paralyzing worms and other parasites. Here are four reasons why tobacco is deadly to worms:

1. Nicotine toxicity

Nicotine disrupts the nervous system of worms, leading to paralysis and eventual death.
It interferes with the transmission of nerve impulses and inhibits the worms’ ability to move, feed, and reproduce.

2. Antihelminthic properties

Nicotine has been shown to possess antihelminthic properties, meaning it has the ability to kill or expel helminthic parasites, including worms.

It acts as a potent anthelmintic by directly affecting the worms’ physiology.

3. Nicotine’s effect on worm eggs

Tobacco can also inhibit the hatching of worm eggs.
The nicotine in tobacco alters the environment in the digestive system, making it unsuitable for the survival and development of worm eggs.

4. Repellent properties

Tobacco’s pungent odor and taste are a repellent to worms, deterring them from infesting the dog’s gastrointestinal tract.
This prevents further infection and reduces the risk of reinfection.

It is important to note that while tobacco may have some effectiveness in deworming dogs, it should be used cautiously due to its toxicity.

How to Deal With Tobacco (Nicotine) Poisoning In Dogs

Tobacco and nicotine poisoning in dogs can be a serious and potentially life-threatening situation. Nicotine poisoning can happen when you try to deworm your dog with tobacco and unknowingly give it in excess.

Nicotine is toxic to dogs, and it’s important to act quickly if you suspect your dog has ingested any tobacco products or you administered more than 9 to 12 mg/kg. Here are the steps to deal with tobacco (nicotine) poisoning in dogs:

Recognize the Symptoms: Be aware of the common signs of nicotine poisoning in dogs, which can include:

Excessive drooling
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Tremors or shaking
Rapid heart rate
Agitation or restlessness
Seizures
Weakness
Elevated body temperature

Call Your Veterinarian or an Emergency Clinic: If you suspect your dog has ingested tobacco or nicotine-containing products, immediately contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal clinic. They can provide guidance based on your dog’s specific situation.
Provide Information: Be prepared to provide information about the type and amount of tobacco or nicotine your dog may have consumed, your dog’s weight, and any symptoms they are experiencing. This information will help the veterinarian assess the severity of the poisoning.
Do Not Wait for Symptoms: Nicotine poisoning can progress rapidly, so even if your dog is not showing severe symptoms, it’s essential to seek immediate veterinary care. Waiting for symptoms to worsen can be life-threatening.
Induce Vomiting (if instructed by a veterinarian): Your veterinarian may advise you to induce vomiting at home if your dog has recently ingested the nicotine-containing product. Do not attempt this without professional guidance, as inducing vomiting can be dangerous if done improperly or in certain situations.

Treatment at the Veterinary Clinic: Once at the veterinary clinic, treatment may include:

Administration of activated charcoal to help absorb any remaining nicotine in the stomach.
Intravenous fluids to maintain hydration and help flush the toxin from the body.
Medications to control symptoms such as vomiting, seizures, or elevated heart rate.
Monitoring for any potential complications.

Follow-Up Care: Your veterinarian may recommend additional monitoring or treatments based on your dog’s condition after initial treatment. Follow their instructions closely.

Prevention: To prevent future incidents, keep all tobacco and nicotine-containing products (cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine gum, patches, etc.) out of reach of your pets. Be especially cautious when disposing of these items, as dogs may be attracted to the scent.

Remember that nicotine poisoning can be life-threatening, so immediate action is crucial. Always consult a veterinarian for guidance and treatment, and never attempt to treat nicotine poisoning in dogs independently without professional supervision.

Alternative Natural Remedies for Deworming Dogs

Using tobacco as a deworming remedy for dogs may have certain risks and limitations. For this reason, we have alternative natural remedies that you can consider. These remedies aim to eliminate parasites without the potential harmful effects of tobacco.

Here are four examples of natural remedies for deworming dogs:

Pumpkin seeds: These seeds contain an amino acid called cucurbitacin, which has been found to paralyze and eliminate worms from the digestive tract of dogs.
Garlic: Garlic has been used for centuries as a natural dewormer. It contains compounds like allicin that can help expel worms from the dog’s system.
Diatomaceous earth: This natural substance is made from fossilized remains of diatoms. It works by mechanically damaging the exoskeleton of parasites, leading to their elimination.
Wormwood: This herb contains toxic compounds to parasites, making it effective in deworming dogs. It is important to note that wormwood should only be used under the guidance of a veterinarian due to its potential toxicity.

These natural remedies provide alternative options for deworming dogs without tobacco use. However, it is essential to consult with a veterinarian before administering any natural remedy to ensure the safety and effectiveness of each dog.

How to Deworm a Dog with Tobacco (FAQs)

Does tobacco get rid of worms?

Tobacco, specifically nicotine found in tobacco, can potentially get rid of worms in dogs by disrupting the nervous system of the worms, leading to paralysis and eventual death. However, using tobacco as a deworming method is highly discouraged due to its toxicity to dogs and the associated risks.

Can I give my dog tobacco?

It is not recommended to give your dog tobacco because nicotine is highly toxic to dogs. Ingesting tobacco, even in small amounts, can lead to severe health complications, including vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and, in extreme cases, death.

Will chewing tobacco hurt dogs?

Chewing tobacco can hurt dogs. Chewing tobacco contains nicotine, which is highly toxic to dogs. If a dog ingests chewing tobacco, it can lead to nicotine poisoning. It is crucial to keep all tobacco and nicotine-containing products out of reach of pets to prevent accidental ingestion.

How do you make homemade dog dewormer?

Conclusion

While the idea of using tobacco as a deworming agent for dogs may have garnered attention, it is imperative to prioritize our pets’ well-being and safety above all else. The potential risks and toxicity associated with tobacco, specifically nicotine, make it a risky choice for deworming. Its adverse effects on dogs, including vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and even death, underscore the importance of seeking safer alternatives.

Exploring alternative natural remedies, such as pumpkin seeds, garlic, diatomaceous earth, and wormwood, offers a more responsible approach to deworming dogs. When administered under a veterinarian’s guidance, these alternatives can effectively eliminate parasites without the harmful consequences of tobacco.