Is Your Pet’s Gut at Risk?
3 Simple Steps to Keep Them Worm-Free—Naturally.
What is the gut?
The gut, specifically the small intestine, is where the most important digestive processes happen in our pets. Two key elements work their magic here:
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The Gut Wall: This acts as a filter, allowing essential nutrients to pass into the bloodstream while its mucus barrier protects the body from harmful toxins.
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The Gut Microbiome: A balanced harmony of trillions of good and bad bacteria. We can think of these as tiny ‘caretakers’ of your pet’s internal ecosystem.
What does the Microbiome do?
You probably know that a strong gut is critical to your pet’s overall health. The balance of bacteria in the microbiome influences many processes such as digestion, hormone regulation, metabolism, and immune system support. Some researchers even describe the microbiome as the ‘forgotten organ’, due to its crucial role within the body.
Are chemical wormers harming your pet?
Does your pet suffer from vomiting, diarrhoea, or fatigue after being wormed? These could be signs that chemical wormers are affecting their gut.
While some pets may recover quickly from these mild symptoms, the chemicals can still disrupt the microbiome, leading to gut imbalances (dysbiosis). Dysbiosis makes pets more vulnerable to bacterial infections, inflammatory conditions like colitis, and common digestive issues such as gas, diarrhoea, or constipation. It can also lead to broader health problems, such as food intolerances, mood disorders, skin conditions, and IBS.
If your pet is already prone to digestive or skin issues, regular overuse of strong chemicals can increase the risk of these symptoms worsening.
Is it worth the risk to get rid of parasites?
Chemical wormers work by purging parasites from your pet’s body - which is great if they actually have worms. If your pet is parasite-free, you’re disrupting the gut microbiome for no reason.
Remember: Don’t worm your pet, unless they have worms!
It seems obvious, but many of us routinely worm our pets every 4–12 weeks as a preventative measure. However, this approach is arguably pointless—chemical wormers don't offer ongoing protection. They simply remove any worms present at the time of dosing, but your pet could pick up new parasites the very next day.
To avoid overusing chemical medications and stressing the gut, it’s time to rethink how we approach parasite control.
How to keep your pet worm-free and chemical-free, in 3 easy steps:
Step 1: Feed a healthy, balanced diet
A good diet is fundamental to your pet's overall well-being, and feeding them nutritious food helps ensure their gut stays strong. (Our expert consultants can help guide you with tailored recommendations.)
Step 2: Use herbal remedies to support the microbiome
Make sure everything entering your pet’s gut strengthens, rather than weakens, it. Verm-X, for example, supports the microbiome with a clever blend of herbs that make the gut inhospitable to parasites. Fun fact: these herbs have natural insecticidal properties!
Step 3: Check for worms before using chemical wormers
Before reaching for a chemical treatment, find out if your pet actually has worms. Worm Count Kits (WCKs) offer an easy way to check the status of your pet’s gut. Simply send off a poop sample and wait for the results. These kits are great for high-risk pets (like cats who hunt or dogs that scavenge) or when you notice symptoms of worms, such as butt scooting or a sudden increase in appetite.
By only using chemical wormers when absolutely necessary, you'll help maintain a healthy gut microbiome - and a happy, thriving pet.
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