My WebMD Sign In

Please enter email address

Enter your password

Keep me signed in on this computer

Show more Information

If you select "Keep me signed in on this computer", you can stay signed in to WebMD.com on this computer for up to 2 weeks or until you sign out. This means that a cookie will stay on your computer even when you exit or close your browser which may reduce your levels of privacy and security. You should never select this option if you're using a publicly accessible computer, or if you're sharing a computer with others. Even if you select this option there are some features of our site that still require you to log in for privacy reasons.

Forget your password? Having trouble signing in?

Why should I
sign up for WebMD?

With a WebMD Account you can:

Track your way to weight loss success
Manage your family's vaccinations
Join the conversation

See more benefits Sign Up

Why WebMD?

My WebMD

Show Menu

Facebook Twitter Pinterest

WebMD Home

Pet Health Community

Announcements

The Pet Health Community and Pet Health Center are NOT substitutes for a vet visit. Contact a vet in an emergency! | Dog Conditions A-Z | Dog Symptoms A-Z | Cat Conditions A-Z | Cat Symptoms A-Z | Tales From The Pet Clinic blog

Remember Your Beloved Pet

Last Reply:

My chihuahua keeps eating dried earthworms!

Alkalina posted:

My 2 year old chihuahua actively hunts the dried up worms when we go outside on our walks. I know a few worms won't hurt her but I am worried about parasites. My 8 year old male is not interested at all on them but she starts looking for them as soon as we go out. I always try to make her drop them and tug on her leash but she eats way more than I'd like. They are both currently on Advantage Multi which takes care of some intestinal parasites as well as heartworms and ectoparasites but I am still worried never dealt with this type of weird eating habit. She used to eat her own feces which I corrected but now she's all about dried earthworms and random insects at night. Should I be worried? Should I de-worm monthly? I don't want to over medicate because the monthly Multi is poison enough. Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

2 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:My chihuahua keeps eating dried earthworms!My 2 year old chihuahua actively hunts the dried up worms when we go outside on our walks. I know a few worms won't hurt her but I am worried about parasites. My 8 year old male is not interested at all on them but she starts looking for them as soon as we go out. I always try to make her drop them and tug on her leash but she eats way more than I'd like. They are both currently on Advantage Multi which takes care of some intestinal parasites as well as heartworms and ectoparasites but I am still worried never dealt with this type of weird eating habit. She used to eat her own feces which I corrected but now she's all about dried earthworms and random insects at night. Should I be worried? Should I de-worm monthly? I don't want to over medicate because the monthly Multi is poison enough. Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

Lyssa123 responded:

Dried earthworms are roughly 75% protein, if your dog is eating them she probably needs a higher protein food. The earthworms are not parasites, they are something that many animals eat for protein, some people even grow the earthworms to feed to their animals... cheap high protein

) Anyway, I wouldn't worry about it, earthworms are fine.

Report This| Share this:My chihuahua keeps eating dried earthworms!Dried earthworms are roughly 75% protein, if your dog is eating them she probably needs a higher protein food. The earthworms are not parasites, they are something that many animals eat for protein, some people even grow the earthworms to feed to their animals... cheap high protein <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/eek.gif" align="top" border="0">) Anyway, I wouldn't worry about it, earthworms are fine.

Alkalina replied to Lyssa123's response:

Thank you for your reply. Just want to clarify that I never said nor think that earthworms are parasites, They do, however, carry parasites hence my concern.

Report This| Share this:My chihuahua keeps eating dried earthworms!Thank you for your reply. Just want to clarify that I never said nor think that earthworms are parasites, They do, however, carry parasites hence my concern.

Visit the Pet Health Center

Women's Health Newsletter

Find out what women really need.

Featuring Experts from

Sandy Willis, DVM, DACVIM

Sandy Willis, DVM, DACVIM, is a small animal internal medicine consultant for Phoenix Central Laboratory, an independent veterinary diagnostic laborat...More

Popular Discussions

Start a Discussion | See All

Helpful Tips

Hunting Instincts

My 3 y/o female tabby Urrow and I live in a really tiny room, and though she likes to play with some toys it somehow seems to grow old ... More

Was this Helpful?

2 of 3 found this helpful

Post a Tip | See All

Helpful Resources

Salmonella and dry pet foods

Is your cat at risk?

Is you pooch portly or feline ...

Fleas...Persistence or Resista...

Good resource to find an inter...

Post a Resource | See All

Report Problems to the
Food and Drug Administration

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Learn more about the AVMA

WebMD Special Sections

WebMD Ask the Veterinarian

Other Pet Health Information

The opinions expressed in WebMD User-generated content areas like communities, reviews, ratings, or blogs are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD. User-generated content areas are not reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other reason except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions. Some of these opinions may contain information about treatments or uses of drug products that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment.

Do not consider WebMD User-generated content as medical advice. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your care plan or treatment. WebMD understands that reading individual, real-life experiences can be a helpful resource, but it is never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health care provider. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or dial 911 immediately.

Pet Health Community

See All