Merck Animal Health Global Survey Reveals Gaps in Flea and Tick Prevention, Highlights Need for Year-Round Care

• Pet owners share challenges in maintaining flea and tick care.

• Fleas and ticks pose a year-round threat to both pet and human health, potentially transmitting serious infections and diseases like tapeworms and Lyme disease.  

The Pet Owner & Vet Perspectives on Parasite Treatment and Prevention: A Global Survey, conducted by Merck Animal Health, reveals critical gaps in pet owner adherence, knowledge of flea and tick threats, as well as preferences for treatment options.  

The survey underscores the need for consistent, year-round flea and tick prevention – particularly as recent data links warmer temperatures to the expanding geographic spread of fleas and ticks. 

See press release here.

See study methodology here.

Study Methodology: The Pet Owner & Vet Perspectives on Parasite Treatment and Prevention: A Global Survey was conducted by Savanta on behalf of Merck Animal Health among n=4,072 pet owners and n=582 veterinarians in 15 countries. Pet owners were adults 18+ who own a dog and/or cat. Pet owner sample size by country: Australia & New Zealand n=268, Brazil n=318, Canada n=277, China n=256, France n=257, Germany n=259, Italy n=283, Japan n=289, Mexico n=286, Peru n=286, Poland n=296, Spain n=294, United Kingdom (UK) n=276, United States (U.S.) n=427. Veterinarians worked at least 10 hours a week in practice and treat both dogs and cats. Veterinarian sample size by country: Australia & New Zealand n=40, Brazil n=43, Canada n=43, China n=52, France n=41, Germany n=41, Italy n=42, Japan n=24, Mexico n=52, Peru n=40, Poland n=38, Spain n=42, United Kingdom (UK) n=42, United States (U.S.) n=42. The research was conducted online between December 23, 2024, and January 28, 2025.  

For media questions:
ahglobalmedia@merck.com