My dog's treats have worms. Are they harmful? Should I call the vet?

Question

I just found out that the ALPO hard dog treats I have been feeding my 10 pound bishon fo,r the last few weeks has worms in it. I called the company who stated they are probably worms from eggs that insects laid in box after they were manufactured and not too worry because different from parasitic worms. Does this make sense and how worried should I be regarding any harmful effects. Is a trip to the vet necessary and if so, how urgent Thanks! Pet's info: Dog | Bichon Frise | Female | spayed | 10 lbs

Dr. Strydom, DVM · Accepted Answer

Yes, those are probably grain mites you are seeing. This is usually due to improper storage of the food item. Grain mites should not cause serious illnesses if eaten, but some pets might have an allergic reaction to them that could include itching, and intestinal and skin problems; possible but not likely to happen. I would not be worried about this. Just throw the treats away and follow the guidelines below to help prevent this from happening again. * Store pet foods in airtight containers. * Don't store food in garages, sheds or basements. * Immediately throw bags away outside after the food has been put into a container. * Don't buy or use old or outdated food. * Wash food dishes frequently in hot water and dry thoroughly. * Buy only 30 days worth of food at a time. * Don't purchase food in bags with holes or tears. * Avoid low quality food with a lot of debris in the bottom of the bag (ALPO would be one of the lower quality foods). Hope this helps. Best wishes.

My dog's treats have worms. Are they harmful? Should I call the vet?

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