How long does it take to get rid of hookworms in dogs?

Clearing hookworms from a dog’s system isn’t an overnight fix, but it doesn’t have to drag on for months, either. The timeline depends on a few things: how severe the infestation is, your dog’s overall health, and how closely you stick to the treatment plan. Most vets start with a deworming medication that targets the adult worms, and that first round can knock out a good chunk of them within a couple of days.​

But here’s the catch: hookworm larvae can hang out in the environment, like in soil or carpets, waiting for a chance to reinfect your dog. So even after the adults are gone, those sneaky larvae might still be lurking. That’s why vets usually recommend a second dose of medication 2 to 4 weeks later. It catches any new worms that hatched from larvae during that window, making sure nothing slips through the cracks.​

For healthy adult dogs with a mild case, you might see results in as little as three weeks from the first treatment. Their bodies bounce back quickly, and with proper cleaning of their living spaces, reinfestation stays off the table. Puppies or dogs with weaker immune systems, though, might need a bit more time. Their small size or compromised health can slow down recovery, so the process could stretch to six weeks or more, with extra check-ups to monitor progress.​

Cleaning up your home and yard plays a bigger role than you might think. Those larvae can survive in damp soil for weeks, even months, in places like the Pacific Northwest or parts of Southern Europe where humidity sticks around. Scrubbing floors with a bleach solution, washing your dog’s bedding in hot water, and picking up feces immediately—something many local laws already require—cuts down on the risk of them picking up more worms while they’re healing.​

In some regions, like parts of the UK or California, there are rules about pet health in shared spaces. If your dog goes to a daycare or uses a public dog park, they might need a clean bill of health from the vet before returning. That often means waiting until a follow-up fecal test comes back negative, which can add a week or two to the process. It’s a hassle, but it’s there to protect other dogs in the community from picking up the parasite.​

Sticking to the vet’s schedule is non-negotiable. Skipping a dose or stopping treatment early because your dog seems better can let the hookworms stage a comeback, and then you’re back to square one. By the end, though, the payoff is huge: a dog with more energy, a better appetite, and no more risk of those blood-sucking pests causing harm. With patience and consistency, you’ll get there—and your dog will thank you for it.