Study Reveals One-Third of Pet Parents Doesn’t Protect Their Pets Fr

According to CDC, in the United States alone, there have been three times more illnesses from fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes in the last 13 years. And yet, pet parents seem not to be as aware of the dangers the bites of these insects carry when it comes to their pets- at least, not as aware as expert thought.

A recent study done by The Harris Poll research company revealed surprising information. When asked about treating fleas and ticks in their pets, more than one-third of pet owners said that they do not give their four-legged companion regular flea and tick preventative. And not only that they don’t do it themselves, but nearly half of the surveyed answered that they don’t take their cat or dog to a vet to ensure their pet is protected from these nasty bloodsuckers.

The increase of insect-borne illnesses is not reserved for humans only- there are countless ways parasites can harm our pets, too. Fleas are so small that they’re barely visible to the naked eye, and they can still wreak havoc on our unsuspecting babies. These parasites can cause skin issues, allergic reactions, anemia and even blood loss. Ticks are easier to spot– if you know where to look for them– but it seems that is not of much help, as the survey indicates that around 34% of pet parents don’t know how these freeloaders look. And once embedded in your pet’s skin, ticks can do a world of damage to their health: Lyme disease, rocky mountain spotted fever, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis are just a few of the most common tick-borne diseases that affect dogs.

Our furry friends are particularly susceptible to the many diseases these bloodsuckers cause. To prevent any of them from causing severe damage to your precious pet’s health, make sure to keep them protected with over-the-counter flea and tick preventatives, or consult your vet for a specific recommendation.