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

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Bichon Frise | Female | spayed | 10 lbs

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!

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on June 3rd, 2019

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 * Don't buy or use old or outdated food.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.

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    Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on June 7th, 2019

    What you are seeing is likely grain mites. They are not really a problem, just gross. It is very rare, but occasionally a dog, if they ingest them will have a bit of an allergic reaction. Since I am not 100% sure it is grain mites I suggest you throw the food out. In the future, when you get a new bag, empty the contents into an air tight container to prevent this from happening again. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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