Management of parasites in companion animals is crucial to the health of pets, animal-human relationships and for the protection of public health. There are over 100 products available for treating and preventing parasitic infections in cats and dogs, which can make this a confusing area for pet owners.

With many community pharmacies now stocking a limited range of parasiticides, the aim of this module is to help pharmacy teams understand the products they sell, be aware of the full range of parasiticide products available on the market and be able to advise customers about their use in cats and dogs.

Cats and dogs are susceptible to infection with internal and external parasites. These can cause discomfort and disease in the animal, they may interfere with the humananimal bond and some can be transmitted to and cause disease in humans €“ known as zoonotic diseases.

Control of parasites is crucial in maintaining healthy pets and for protecting public health. Environmental and hygiene measures, such as handwashing, disposal of dog faeces and checking for ticks, as well as parasiticides are central to maintaining this control.