Parasites are not merely unpleasant. They can cause serious illnesses in pets and may put human family members’ health at risk too. This World Parasite Awareness Day on 20 March, global animal health company, Zoetis, shares tips for keeping the four-legged and two-legged members of your family safe.
Johannesburg, 11 March26: As a pet owner, you make sure your pet is well fed, always has fresh water, enjoys daily playtime and gets plenty of love, but when it comes to your pet’s care routine, parasite control may not always make the list.
“It’s easy to forget something that’s out of sight and out of mind,” says Dr Tarryn Dent, Business Unit Director: Companion Animals for global animal health company, Zoetis South Africa. “While pet owners may notice scratching from fleas or gastrointestinal upset from some intestinal worms, many parasites can go undetected.”
Some parasites – and the infections they can carry – can also affect people. That’s why parasite prevention matters not only for pets’ wellbeing, but for the whole household.
How to protect your pet from parasites
Effective protection needs a plan. There’s no need to wait until your pet has worms, ticks, fleas or other parasites before you act.
Dr Dent offers the following tips for pet owners:
1/ Be proactive
“Don’t wait to treat parasites reactively. Prevention is key,” says Dr Dent. “Just because your pet isn’t showing visible signs, that doesn’t mean they’re not carrying parasites – putting their health at risk.” For example, ticks can transmit a range of diseases to dogs. Different parasites are more common in different areas, and this can change with shifts in climate and migration patterns. Speak to your veterinarian about putting a parasite prevention plan in place specific to the current risks in your area.
2/ Parasite prevention is a year-round concern
World Parasite Awareness Day falls on 20 March, coinciding with the start of spring in the northern hemisphere. But that doesn’t mean South African pet owners should let their guard down at this time of year. “Parasite prevention should be a year-round priority,” says Dr Dent. “Spring and summer tend to be the months when we start thinking about ticks and insects but being proactive during the cooler months is equally important.”
3/ Parasites are everywhere
Even if you live in an urban area, your cat or dog can still be at risk of picking up parasites. “Even in clean homes and urban areas, pets can still be exposed to parasites,” says Dr Dent. “Pets spend time in the garden, they eat things in the park that they’re not supposed to, they interact with other animals at dog parks and catteries. All of these are opportunities to pick up parasites.” Once parasites have taken hold, they tend to multiply quickly. A single female flea can lay dozens of eggs per day, which can quickly lead to a home infestation if not controlled.
4/ Prevention is personal
Parasite prevention is not one-size-fits-all. Your veterinarian will recommend a prevention plan that takes your pet’s personal circumstances into account – including living conditions, local risks, age, habits and other individual needs.
Global Prevention Pledge
On World Parasite Awareness Day (20 March) organisations and individuals around the world will sign a Global Prevention Pledge, committing to taking a preventive stance to protect pets against parasites.
As a responsible pet owner, you can do your part by speaking to your veterinarian about getting a personalised parasite prevention plan for your pet and then sticking to it all year round, even when your pet is healthy and showing no signs of distress. By protecting your pets, you protect the whole family.
