US pet owners struggle to spot parasites, research finds

Over half (54%) of American pet owners believe they can distinguish between allergy and parasite-related problems in cats and dogs, according to a survey from the veterinary telehealth platform Vetster. 

However, when the platform showed the respondents images of common conditions, results pointed otherwise: 72% could not identify a flea-bite rash on a cat, while 60% could not recognize the same condition on a dog.

The study, which surveyed 2,000 US pet owners between January and February 2026, also found that only 1% of dog owners correctly identified ringworm in an image.

This gap is notable given that over half (51%) of respondents are concerned about their pets being exposed to parasites, while a further 27% worry about exposure for themselves or their families.

In addition, while nearly 6 in 10 (59%) said they would consult a veterinarian in person when symptoms indicating an allergy or parasite issue appear, 44% said they would search Google before seeking veterinary care.

Cat vs dog owners

Among cat owners, the ability to identify common skin conditions was generally low. While 47% correctly identified a tick bite in an image, recognition of other issues lagged. Only 16% recognized ringworm, 12% identified skin mites and around 1 in 5 (20%) correctly identified allergies.

A similar trend was observed among dog owners. While 71% correctly identified a tick bite, recognition of other conditions remained limited. Around 10% identified skin mites and 11% correctly recognized allergies.

Parasite risks

Data from the German pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim show that globally, up to 1 in 3 dogs has ticks, while 90% of puppies are affected by roundworm. In the US alone, more than 1.2 million dogs are estimated to be heartworm-positive.

Meanwhile, 1 in 4 pet owners believe parasites live only on pets and not in the home environment, which can lead to infections going undetected. These findings are based on a global survey of 6,500 pet owners in January 2026. 

Among those surveyed, 43% reported that their pet had experienced a parasite infection, with 1 in 5 cases occurring within the past year.

However, 27% of respondents said they are only slightly familiar with parasite risks or not familiar at all. Only 20% view parasites as a serious threat.

The research also found that one-third of pet owners felt anxious when their pet was infected with parasites, while 25% said it disrupted their daily lives. For pets, 36% showed behavioral changes, while 46% experienced discomfort.