Survey: Pet owners want clearer parasite prevention guidance as World Parasite Awareness Day approaches

A new global survey suggests pet owners may recognize parasite risks but still need more guidance on prevention. In a March 18 press release, Boehringer Ingelheim said 43% of the 6,500 pet owners surveyed reported that their pets had experienced a parasite infection, while 75% said they wanted clearer advice on parasite prevention.¹

The company is using the findings to launch its “Small acts of love. Big moments of life” campaign ahead of World Parasite Awareness Day on March 20. The campaign is designed to raise awareness of common parasites, including fleas, ticks, and worms, and to encourage more consistent preventive care.¹

The survey also found that 27% of respondents said they were only slightly familiar with parasite risks or not familiar at all, highlighting what the company described as a gap between lived experience and preventive understanding.¹

Veterinarians remain the most trusted source of pet health information, according to the release, with 70% of owners identifying them as their primary reference for guidance.¹ That finding may be especially relevant as parasite risk can vary by geography, season, travel, and lifestyle, making individualized preventive recommendations important in practice.¹

The release also pointed to the broader public health and animal health burden of parasitic disease. In the United States, more than 1.2 million dogs are estimated to be heartworm-positive, according to the company’s cited source.² It also noted that ticks remain common in pets globally and can transmit diseases such as Lyme borreliosis, babesiosis, and ehrlichiosis.^3,4

Boehringer Ingelheim said the campaign is intended to help pet owners view parasite prevention as a routine part of caring for their animals. For veterinary professionals, the survey reinforces the importance of repeating preventive messaging, tailoring recommendations to risk, and encouraging year-round compliance when indicated.¹

References

1. Boehringer Ingelheim. Global survey reveals pet owners lack awareness of parasite risks and seek clearer prevention advice. March 18, 2026. Accessed March 19, 2026. https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/media-stories/survey-reveals-pet-owners-lack-awareness-parasite-risks
2. American Veterinary Medical Association. Heartworm incidence climbs despite preventive efforts. Published October 8, 2024. Accessed March 19, 2026. https://www.avma.org/news/heartworm-incidence-climbs-despite-preventive-efforts
3. Maurelli MP, Pepe P, Colombo L, et al. A national survey of Ixodidae ticks on privately owned dogs in Italy. Parasit Vectors. 2018;11:420. doi:10.1186/s13071-018-2994-2
4. Colella V, Nguyen VL, Tan DY, Lu N, Fang F, Yizhuang Y, et al. Zoonotic vectorborne pathogens and ectoparasites of dogs and cats in eastern and Southeast Asia. Emerg Infect Dis. 2020;26(6):1221-1233. doi:10.3201/eid2606.191832