You just brought home a tiny, fluffy ball of energy. Then you see it. Something moving in their stool. Or maybe their belly looks a little too round, like they’ve swallowed a tennis ball. Honestly, it’s a rite of passage for almost every new dog owner. Most puppies are born with parasites or pick them up almost immediately from their mom’s milk.
So, you’re looking at your bank account and wondering: how much does deworming a puppy cost in 2026?
The short answer? It’s usually between $20 and $180, but that’s a huge range for a reason. Prices depend on whether you’re doing a DIY job with over-the-counter meds or heading to a specialized vet clinic for a full diagnostic workup.
The Real Breakdown of Deworming Costs
If you walk into a vet’s office today, you aren't just paying for a pill. You're paying for the expertise to know which worm is currently crashing your puppy's party.
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A standard fecal exam—where they basically look at a poop sample under a microscope—usually runs between $30 and $75. You’ve gotta do this because a roundworm treatment won’t touch a protozoan like Giardia. If you skip the test and guess wrong, you're just throwing money away.
Once the vet knows what they're fighting, the actual medication is relatively cheap.
- Basic oral dewormers (like Pyrantel Pamoate) often cost only $10 to $25 per dose.
- Broad-spectrum prescriptions (like Drontal Plus or Panacur) might sit closer to $40 to $60 depending on your puppy's weight.
Weight is the big variable here. A 5-pound Chihuahua is a lot cheaper to deworm than a 40-pound Great Dane puppy that’s growing like a weed.
At-Home vs. Vet Clinic Pricing
Some people head straight to the farm supply store. You can grab a bottle of liquid dewormer at places like Tractor Supply or PetSmart for $12 to $20. It feels like a win.
But here’s the kicker: many over-the-counter (OTC) meds only target roundworms and hookworms. If your puppy has tapeworms from a flea they swallowed or Coccidia from the backyard, that $15 bottle is basically flavored syrup. It won't do a thing.
Vets also charge an office visit fee, which in 2026 averages around $65 to $110. If you’re already there for the first round of shots, they’ll often bundle the deworming, which can save you a bit of cash. Nonprofit clinics or low-cost "vet-in-a-van" services might do the whole thing for a flat $20 to $40 as an add-on.
Why One Dose Is Never Enough
Worms have a nasty life cycle. Most medications only kill the adult worms living in the gut. They don't touch the larvae that are currently migrating through the lungs or liver.
Because of this, you’re almost never "one and done."
Standard puppy protocols usually involve a dose every 2 to 3 weeks until the pup is about 4 months old. If you're paying $15 a dose at the vet, that's **$60 to $90** over a few months just for the meds.
Hidden Costs of Different Parasites
Not all worms are created equal.
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- Roundworms & Hookworms: The "easy" ones. Cheap meds, usually effective within two doses.
- Tapeworms: These usually require a specific drug like Praziquantel. Expect to pay $20 to $45 for the treatment, plus you’ll need flea prevention (another $20/month) because fleas are how they get tapeworms in the first place.
- Giardia & Coccidia: These aren't technically "worms," they're tiny organisms. They are notoriously hard to kill. You might end up needing multiple rounds of meds and repeat fecal tests, potentially pushing your total bill over $200.
How to Save Money Without Risking Your Pup
You don't have to go broke keeping your dog parasite-free.
Check with the shelter or breeder first. If you adopted your puppy, there’s a high chance they’ve already had two or three rounds of dewormer. Ask for the medical records. If they’ve already been treated with Panacur or Strongid, you might just need to finish the cycle rather than starting from scratch.
Bundle your services. Never make an appointment just for deworming unless it’s an emergency. Wait until the next vaccination or wellness check to avoid paying that $80 exam fee twice.
Use heartworm prevention that doubles as a dewormer. Most monthly heartworm preventatives (like Interceptor Plus or Sentinel) also kill common intestinal worms. Once your puppy is old enough (usually 6–8 weeks), switching to these can eliminate the need for separate deworming treatments entirely. These usually cost about $12 to $18 per month.
Signs Your Puppy Needs Treatment Now
Don't wait for the next vet visit if you see these symptoms:
- The "Potbelly" Look: Even if they haven't eaten, their stomach is distended.
- Scooting: Dragging their butt across your carpet isn't just a funny habit; it’s usually an itch from tapeworm segments.
- Visible Segments: If you see things that look like moving grains of white rice near their tail, that's a tapeworm.
- Dull Coat: Parasites steal nutrients, leaving your pup’s fur looking dry and brittle.
Actionable Steps for New Owners
First, call your vet and ask if you can just drop off a stool sample without a full exam. Some clinics allow this for established patients, which saves you the office visit fee.
Second, keep your yard clean. Puppies reinfect themselves by sniffing or eating old waste. Picking up poop immediately is the cheapest "medicine" you can buy.
Finally, verify the breeder's claims. If a seller tells you "he's been dewormed," ask for the specific brand and date. "Dewormed" is a vague term. Knowing exactly what was used helps your vet decide if your pup needs a stronger prescription or just a final booster.
Deworming is an investment in your dog's growth. A worm-heavy puppy can't absorb the nutrients in that expensive puppy food you're buying, so clearing them out actually saves you money on nutrition and potential emergency growth issues down the road.