Earthworms are a No for your dog. Technically yes, dogs can eat earthworms but you shouldn’t let them eat earthworms. There are many risks involved with eating earthworms so you should avoid feeding or letting your dog feed on earthworms.

Why should I avoid feeding and letting my dog eat earthworms?

Most often dogs eat Earthworms directly from the soil, raw. These earthworms may contain a number of parasites like roundworms, bacteria, giant kidney worm which is very dangerous. The giant kidney worm can infect the abdomen and kidneys of dogs. They go into the digestive tract and block the kidneys, ultimately destroying them.

How to know if my dog has consumed these parasites?

Detection of some parasites like roundworms can be easier as It’ll be visible through your dog’s poop. If your dog stool has spaghetti-shaped worms then it is a sign of roundworms. The bacteria is also not very hard to find out, your dog may feel uncomfortable but other parasites like giant kidney worms are very hard to find out. A visit to the vet may also not lead to a quick diagnosis. If you have doubts that your dog may have worms then ask your vet to analyzese the urine sample of the dog. If there are female giant kidney worms, then the urine may contain the eggs. To check for males, one’s ultrasound can be a good option.

Do I have any risk if my dog eats Earthworms?

Yes, you’re also at risk of acquiring those parasites from your dog. These parasites are transmissible and may cause harm to you just like your dog.

How to prevent your dog from eating Earthworms?

To prevent your dog from eating Earthworms you can train your dog to just eat the food you offer to him/ her. You may keep your dog away from places that may contain Earthworms like your garden and if you want your dog to be in the garden you can monitor him while he’s there.

My dog likes earthworms, is there any way I can feed earthworms to my dog?

If your dog loves earthworms too much, you can try and buy earthworms that may have some certification and quality checks. Make sure they’re free from any kind of bacteria, parasites, pesticides, fertilizer, or any other foreign material. You can also boil them for added safety.

Why would my dog eat earthworms?

Dogs generally love to explore and eat new things. Chances are your dog ate the earthworm out of curiosity rather than liking it. Earthworms are a good source of protein too and your dog might have also liked the taste of it.

Conclusion

You should avoid feeding and letting your dog feed on earthworms as much as possible. No doubt Earthworms are a good source of protein but they come with a lot of complexities and health threats. Your dog may become very sick due to the parasites, bacterial, chemicals, and various other foreign material present in the earthworm. Not just your dog, you can also be infected by these parasites due to the transmission although it’s not common, there are chances. There is various healthy and nutritious food available for your dog. Your dog will enjoy such food and if your dog is too fond of Earthworms then take precautions. The precautions can be checking the quality of earthworms, buying from a certified store, boiling earthworms, etc to minimize the risk. In the end, it is your wish how do you want to feed your dog, but we recommend not feeding earthworms to your dog. Take precautions and know the difference between liking and eating due to curiosity.