Global Survey Reveals Gaps in Flea and Tick Protection
A global survey conducted by Merck Animal Health has uncovered what the company said are widespread inconsistencies in flea and tick prevention among pet owners – prompting veterinarians to call for year-round protection.
The survey, Pet Owner & Vet Perspectives on Parasite Treatment and Prevention: A Global Survey, gathered responses from more than 4,000 pet owners and 500 veterinarians across 15 countries, including the United States. About 83% of pet owners said flea and tick treatment is an essential part of caring for their pets. But nearly half admitted they sometimes forget to give doses – 46% of dog owners and 51% of cat owners said they had lapsed in the past year.
Veterinarians share those concerns. While 80% of pet owners reported feeling confident about administering treatments, 74% of veterinarians believe owners are missing doses, giving them late, or skipping them altogether. U.S. veterinarians in particular say most of their clients do not follow year-round prevention, despite parasite risks stretching across all seasons due to changing weather patterns.
Another challenge is awareness: while most owners recognize fleas and ticks as a threat to pets, far fewer see them as a risk to human health. Globally, 67% of owners were unaware of ehrlichiosis, a serious tick-borne disease.
Against this backdrop, many veterinarians and owners are expressing interest in solutions that reduce the need for frequent treatments. The survey found that 65% of veterinarians would recommend an annual preventive treatment, and 75% of pet owners said they would be open to a once-a-year option.
Merck Animal Health recently introduced such an option in select global markets: BRAVECTO QUANTUM, a veterinary-administered injectable that protects dogs from fleas and ticks for an entire year with a single dose.
“We’ve heard from veterinarians that one of the biggest benefits of BRAVECTO QUANTUM is how it improves client compliance as it’s veterinarian administered and lasts an entire year,” said Dr. Christine Royal, vice president of Merck Animal Health’s companion animal and equine business unit. “With this long-lasting protection, vets feel confident their patients are safeguarded against fleas and ticks year-round – without relying on pet owners to remember monthly treatments. This is especially important given that 46% of dog owners struggle to remember when to give treatment and 56% of pet owners find administering it challenging, according to a recent global survey commissioned by Merck Animal Health.”
Dr. Royal added that both veterinarians and pet owners in markets where BRAVECTO QUANTUM is available are embracing the convenience. “We’re hearing that both vets and pet owners are enjoying the benefits of BRAVECTO QUANTUM, which eliminates these barriers and improves overall pet health and wellbeing.”
Looking ahead, Merck sees long-acting injectables as a major opportunity in the U.S. market. “We foresee the launch of BRAVECTO QUANTUM – the first and only single-dose parasiticide that protects against fleas and ticks for an entire year – leading the way for future long-acting injectables to come to the U.S. parasiticide market,” Dr. Royal said. “This long-acting, veterinary-administered injectable improves consumer compliance by eliminating the need for pet owners to remember and/or struggle to give their dogs monthly treatment – all pet owners have to do is ensure they’re bringing their dogs in for their yearly vet appointment to receive the injectable.”
She stressed that adherence was the primary driver behind development. “Yes, absolutely,” Dr. Royal said when asked if injectables will improve compliance. “We developed this product specifically with client adherence top of mind. We’re seeing a lack of compliance when it comes to pet owners giving their dogs year-round flea and tick protection, with 46% of dog owners reporting they have forgotten to administer treatment to their pets in the past year as shown in Merck Animal Health’s recent global survey. The veterinary-administered, longer-acting BRAVECTO QUANTUM offers a convenient solution that increases compliance, especially for forgetful pet parents.”
Pets and people at risk
Most pet owners are aware of flea and tick threats to their pet’s health (82%), but only 40% strongly agree it is a threat to their personal health. “In the U.S. these numbers are more jarring where half of pet owners see fleas and tick-borne illness as a potential risk to their pet or to themselves or their family,” Merck reported.
