Prevalence of Ectoparasites in Pet Dog and Cat in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract

M any creatures populate the world, but not all qualify as domesticated companions simply by being animals. What sets apart an animal as a pet is the presence of companionship and a personal connection. According to archaeology, human ownership of dogs as pets dates back at least 12,000 year (Serpell, 2016). Therefore, human-animal relationships have been going on for so long. A recent study found that there are around 470 million dogs maintained as pets worldwide and approximately 370 million pet cats (El, 2022). There are more than 900 million dogs around the world, and their numbers are growing. There are approximately 600 million cats on the planet. Only 17-24% of dogs live as pets in developed countries. Pets bring both physical and emotional advantages to their owners. Walking a dog may provide exercise, fresh air, and a social connection for both the owner and the dog. Pets can provide company to people who live alone or to elderly people who do not have enough social connections (Pet, 2022).Pet dogs and cats are susceptible to several illnesses. Both