How to Use Pumpkin Seeds for Deworming: Does It Work?

Pumpkin seeds are a great natural dewormer. They contain high amounts of trypsin inhibitors, which can help kill helminths (parasitic worms). Trypsin is an enzyme that breaks down proteins like protein from the worms' exoskeletons.

Best Way to Use

The best way to use pumpkin seeds for parasites is to grind them up and add them to your dog's food so they get digested along with the dog's food. You can also feed your dog raw pumpkin seeds, but this can be messy and less effective because it doesn't allow the trypsin inhibitors to be absorbed by the dog's body.

Using Pumpkin Seed as Dewormer

Pumpkin seeds are commonly used to treat worms in dogs. Dogs are more likely than humans to get worms, but they can be passed on to humans as well. When your dog has worms, you may notice signs like diarrhea or vomiting and weight loss. Pumpkin seeds can help kill off these parasites and eliminate them from your dog's system.

Pumpkin seeds are effective at killing off roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms. However, you should never use pumpkin seeds without consulting your veterinarian first, as there may be other causes for your dog's symptoms besides parasites.

You should also note that pumpkin seeds will not kill all types of worms present in your dog's body — only certain ones that infect the gastrointestinal tract (GI). If you suspect your dog has intestinal parasites other than those listed above, talk to an experienced vet about different treatment options.

Traditional Dewormer vs Pumpkin Seeds

When you use traditional deworming medications, you are weakening your dog's immune system, making him more susceptible to parasites and other pests. The most frequent chemical in conventional dewormers produces severe adverse effects such as diarrhea, vomiting, edema, and muscle discomfort. In severe cases, traditional dewormers will be used.

According to Dr. Chambreau, a homeopathic veterinarian who has used homeopathy since 1983, states:

“If you have to treat the dog, do it as minimally as possible. If you know exactly what kind of worms the dog has, treat it for that type of worm only. Don’t give a medication that treats hookworms, tapeworms, whipworms, and roundworms when you have only roundworms. And follow up with herbal and nutritional supplements (ground pumpkin seeds, garlic, grated carrots, turnips, or beets, and bran, as mentioned above) to clear the worms completely from the system and to strengthen the dog’s own defenses against future pests.”

More Pumpkin Seed Benefits

Pumpkin seeds are a rich source of nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. They contain a variety of amino acids, which are essential for the proper functioning of your dog's body.

Pumpkin seeds are also an excellent source of zinc, an important mineral that helps with wound healing and growth. Zinc also helps to strengthen the immune system and prevent diseases like colds or the flu.

Additional Benefits Include:

They help support skin health. The antioxidants in pumpkin seeds can help protect your dog's skin from sun damage and help maintain healthy skin. They may also reduce the risk of developing skin cancer.

They promote heart health. Pumpkin seeds are rich in magnesium, which is great for helping to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing stress on the cardiovascular system.

Choose Your Dewormer Carefully

Choosing to use a natural alternative can be unsettling, especially if you're accustomed to traditional medical practices. But, we encourage you to check it out. And, if you're concerned about utilizing this method, contact your holistic veterinarian to discuss this option among others that can help your dog naturally.

For further reading, we recommend:

Evaluation of Anthelmintic Activity and Composition of Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) Seed Extracts—In Vitro and in Vivo Studies

Usefulness of pumpkin seeds combined with areca nut extract in community-based treatment of human taeniasis in northwest Sichuan Province, China