Parasites are common in New Zealand and can affect pets even when they appear healthy and well cared for. Fleas, worms, and other parasites can cause discomfort, skin disease, internal illness, and in some cases serious long-term health problems.
This page brings together veterinary information, educational resources, and products commonly used to support parasite prevention and control. It is designed to help pet owners understand common parasite risks and how they are typically managed in practice.
Information on this page does not replace a veterinary consultation.
Parasite-related illness can present in many ways. Some pets show obvious signs such as scratching, scooting, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhoea, or visible parasites. Others may appear largely normal, particularly in the early stages of infestation.
Because signs can be subtle or nonspecific, parasites are often identified during routine checks or investigations for other health issues.
Parasites are widespread in the environment and exposure can occur through contact with other animals, contaminated areas, or intermediate hosts. Some parasites are seasonal, while others are present year-round.
Even pets that receive regular care can be affected if prevention is inconsistent, products are not appropriate for the parasite risk, or reinfestation occurs. Certain life stages, living environments, and travel patterns can also increase exposure risk.
Effective parasite control depends on understanding both the parasite involved and the individual pet’s circumstances.
Management typically focuses on prevention, early detection, and appropriate treatment. This may involve regular parasite prevention, targeted treatment for identified parasites, and environmental management to reduce reinfestation.
In many cases, parasite control is an ongoing process rather than a one-off treatment. Veterinary guidance is important to ensure products are suitable, used correctly, and aligned with a pet’s health status and lifestyle.
Parasite prevention looks simple on the shelf, but safe product choice depends on the pet in front of you. Species, weight, age, pregnancy status, health history, other medications, household pets, travel, hunting, and lifestyle can all change the safest option.
Learn how parasite prevention is chosen and why regular protection matters for dogs and cats in New Zealand.
Routine visits help keep parasite prevention aligned with weight, life stage, health changes, and household risk.
Young pets need age- and weight-appropriate parasite support while vaccination, nutrition, and growth are still changing.
Parasite products can be very effective when they are selected and used correctly. Dose, interval, species, body weight, and the parasite risk all matter. Some products cover fleas only, some cover worms, and some include broader protection, so the label is only part of the decision.
Never use a dog-only parasite product on a cat unless it is specifically labelled as safe for cats. Ask us before changing products if your pet is very young, underweight, pregnant, unwell, on other medication, or if fleas, worms, scooting, vomiting, diarrhoea, weight loss, or skin irritation continue despite prevention.
NEXGARD SPECTRA provides complete protection against the most common internal and external parasites of cats in New Zealand. Like NEXGARD, NEXGARD SPECTRA kills fleas fast, consistently and persistently for the entire duration of the treatment.
NEXGARD SPECTRA provides complete protection against the most common internal and external parasites of cats in New Zealand. Like NEXGARD, NEXGARD SPECTRA kills fleas fast, consistently and persistently for the entire duration of the treatment.
NEXGARD SPECTRA provides complete protection against the most common internal and external parasites of cats in New Zealand. Like NEXGARD, NEXGARD SPECTRA kills fleas fast, consistently and persistently for the entire duration of the treatment.
NEXGARD SPECTRA provides complete protection against the most common internal and external parasites of cats in New Zealand. Like NEXGARD, NEXGARD SPECTRA kills fleas fast, consistently and persistently for the entire duration of the treatment.
An easy-to-use, monthly topical flea and worm treatment, Advocate™ for cats kills fleas on contact with your treated cat’s skin and hair. This means fleas don’t have to bite your cat to die.
An easy-to-use, monthly topical flea and worm treatment, Advocate™ for cats kills fleas on contact with your treated cat’s skin and hair. This means fleas don’t have to bite your cat to die.
An easy-to-use, monthly topical flea and worm treatment, Advocate™ for dogs kills fleas on contact with your treated dog’s skin and hair. This means fleas don’t have to bite your dog to die.
An easy-to-use, monthly topical flea and worm treatment, Advocate™ for dogs kills fleas on contact with your treated dog’s skin and hair. This means fleas don’t have to bite your dog to die.
An easy-to-use, monthly topical flea and worm treatment, Advocate™ for dogs kills fleas on contact with your treated dog’s skin and hair. This means fleas don’t have to bite your dog to die.
An easy-to-use, monthly topical flea and worm treatment, Advocate™ for dogs kills fleas on contact with your treated dog’s skin and hair. This means fleas don’t have to bite your dog to die.
Bravecto 3 months flea and tick protection in a tasty chew for dogs.
Bravecto Plus - 3 months flea, tick and worm treatment in a single spot-on for medium cats from 9 weeks of age.
Bravecto spot-on - 3 months flea and tick protection in a single spot-on for cats from 9 weeks of age.
Bravecto spot-on - 6 months flea and 4 months tick protection in a single spot-on for dogs from 8 weeks of age.
Drontal™ Allwormer for Cats 4kg is an oral de-wormer to treat and control New Zealand feline gastrointestinal worms including roundworm, tapeworm (including the common flea tapeworm) and hookworm*.
Drontal™ for Dogs 10kg Flavoured Allwormer is an oral ‘knock-down’ de-wormer, killing adult worms in the gut, treating and controlling New Zealand canine gastrointestinal worms in dogs.**
FRONTLINE SPRAY is a topical application for the treatment of flea infestations, ticks, and lice and is ideal for use on kittens and puppies from 2 days old.
FRONTLINE SPRAY is a topical application for the treatment of flea infestations, ticks, and lice and is ideal for use on kittens and puppies from 2 days old.
Just a quick spot application of Revolution for Cats every month is all it takes to keep your cat free from external parasites including fleas and ear mites, as well as internal ones like roundworm and hookworm.
Just a quick spot application of Revolution for Cats every month is all it takes to keep your cat free from external parasites including fleas and ear mites, as well as internal ones like roundworm and hookworm.
Revolution Plus provides your cat with protection against adult fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, ticks, ear mites, lice, hookworms & roundworms.
Revolution Plus provides your cat with protection against adult fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, ticks, ear mites, lice, hookworms & roundworms.
Revolution Plus provides your cat with protection against adult fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, ticks, ear mites, lice, hookworms & roundworms.
Revolution Plus provides your cat with protection against adult fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, ticks, ear mites, lice, hookworms & roundworms.
Revolution Plus provides your cat with protection against adult fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, ticks, ear mites, lice, hookworms & roundworms.
Revolution Plus provides your cat with protection against adult fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, ticks, ear mites, lice, hookworms & roundworms.
Just a quick spot application of Revolution for Dogs every month is all it takes to keep your dog free from fleas as well as sarcoptic mange and ear mites.
Just a quick spot application of Revolution for Dogs every month is all it takes to keep your dog free from fleas as well as sarcoptic mange and ear mites.
If you are unsure which parasite product is safest for your pet, contact us with their species, age, current weight, and any health concerns. That small check can prevent a lot of confusion and avoid unsafe product choices.
A useful place to think about parasite risk alongside weather, activity, skin flares, and older-pet comfort.
Start here when parasite questions sit alongside scratching, licking, sore ears, rashes, or recurrent skin irritation.
First puppy and kitten visits are the best time to set parasite prevention up safely for age, weight, and lifestyle.
