Flea and tick infestations cause significant suffering to both companion animals and to the parasites themselves, raising questions about humane parasite control approaches.
Parasite control for companion animals involves welfare considerations for both the host animal and the parasites themselves. Untreated flea infestations cause intense suffering including pruritic skin disease, hair loss, secondary infections, and anemia in heavy infestations. Tick-borne diseases cause serious systemic illness. The welfare case for effective parasite control for companion animals is clear. The welfare status of fleas and ticks is uncertain but the precautionary principle suggests minimizing suffering. Physical removal of ticks with correct technique and spot-on treatments that prevent infestation rather than causing prolonged death to parasites may be preferred over systemic treatments. Regular combing and checking, environmental control, and targeted treatment minimizes both host suffering and parasite impact.