Warmer weather and the return of Daylight Savings Time are some of the first signs of spring, a season that ushers in feelings of happiness for many people. But for our pets, spring ushers in the invisible threat of parasites. Some of those parasites also pose a risk to us, as we can contract them from our pets.
World Parasite Awareness Day on March 20 coincides with the first day of spring, and March 20, 2025 marked the first World Parasite Awareness Day. Elanco Animal Health, a leading pet pharmaceutical company, is one of many organizations marking this important day to help raise awareness about protecting our pets from parasites.
World Parasite Awareness Day seeks to educate pet parents about the dangers of parasites
World Parasite Awareness Day is a collective effort by veterinary experts, parasite councils, researchers, the animal health sector, and others to raise awareness about the serious illness that parasites can pose to our pets and even to us.
Parasites that can infect our pets include:
- Fleas
- Ticks
- Mosquitoes
- Heartworms
- Roundworms
- Hookworms
- Tapeworms
…and others. Some of these parasites, such as fleas, ticks, roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms can even infect us if we come into contact with them, especially through their poop. The worst part of that is that many of these parasites are nearly invisible. We don't know that our pets (or us) are infected until it's too late.
World Parasite Awareness Day seeks to educate pet owners about the dangers of parasites, but also remind them that "while parasites are a risk to pets and people, they can be controlled and disease risk minimized."
Elanco Animal Health marked the first World Parasite Awareness Day
Elanco Animal Health, a global leader in animal health, recently marked the first World Parasite Awareness Day. Elanco is committed to the cause with its selection of products to protect cats, dogs, and even livestock from disease and parasites.
Elanco are the makers of several well-known and loved parasite prevention products for cats and dogs, including:
- Advantage® products
- Credelio®
- K9 Advantix® II
- Seresto®
- Trifexis®
A new parasite prevention product from Elanco was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration: Credelio Quattro™. Credelio Quattro™ is the first and only parasiticide that can protect dogs against not only fleas, ticks, heartworms, roundworms, and hookworms, but also three species of tapeworms that other brands skip.
Elanco is clearly an innovative leader when it comes to pet parasite prevention, and their recognition of World Parasite Awareness Day further shows their commitment to the cause.
An Elanco in-house veterinarian has some advice for parasite protection
Dogs can acquire parasites in ways you might not expect. With some internal parasites, such as worms, you may not realize your dog has them until they start to show signs of illness. So, you want to try to get ahead of parasites with proper parasite prevention and protection before they become a problem.
An in-house veterinarian at Elanco, Dr. Casey Locklear, DVM, was kind enough to share some tips and advice for protecting yourself and your pets from parasites this spring and beyond, including understanding the risks and cleaning up after your pet. Says Dr. Locklear:
"Dogs come into contact with parasites all the time — it’s easier than you’d think. They can pick them up just by eating grass, licking their toys or grooming themselves after being outside. Even shared food bowls, contaminated water or a quick sniff of another dog’s poop can put them at risk."
Dr. Locklear adds that there are a few simple ways to keep your pet parasite free:
- Wash your hands and your dog's paws after being outside
- Avoid feeding them raw of undercooked meat
- Use a monthly treatment like Credelio Quattro™ to protect them
Cleaning up your pet's waste quickly when on walks can also help prevent the spread of parasites. On the importance of cleaning up your pet's waste, Dr. Locklear says:
“Properly cleaning up pet waste is essential to preventing the spread of parasites to both dogs and humans. Dog feces can carry parasites and parvo, a highly contagious and potentially fatal virus, so taking a few precautions goes a long way."
You can protect yourself while cleaning up your dog's poop by using a scoop or waste bag (never touch it directly), then properly disposing of the bag in a trash can. Dr. Locklear also says not to neglect picking up waste from your own backyard. And most importantly:
"No matter how you pick up waste, always wash your hands afterward to minimize the risk of infection."
Even though the first World Parasite Awareness Day has already passed this year, it's important to be aware of and protect your pets from parasites every day. Especially in the spring and summer when things start to heat up. Next year, when March 20 and the second World Parasite Awareness Day rolls around, you and your pet can be steps ahead with your parasite protection.