Animal Parasiticides Market Overview and Introduction

Parasites are organisms that generally survive by attacking pets and farm animals for their nourishment. They live commonly on or within the body of targeted animals, deriving nutrients, and protection from the host animal. Based on the attacking surface of the body, there are various types of animal parasites that include endoparasites, ectoparasites, and endectocides. Ectoparasites are external parasites, which are also referred to as vectors for transmitting various vector-borne diseases. These include fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, sand flies, lice, and mites, which spread diseases to humans, dogs, cats, and other animals.  Endoparasites that survive inside the host animal body are controlled with the help of endoparasiticides. They are utilized for controlling parasites that attack livestock, pets, and other animals internally – mainly roundworms, tapeworms, and flukes.

Increasing concerns over the transmission of zoonotic diseases in humans can be primarily attributed to the growth of the animal parasiticides market. Moreover, the increasing rate of animal fostering is among the leading factors, propelling the demand for animal parasiticides for pet animals. The other factors contributing to the growth of the animal parasiticides market include increasing animal health expenditure, government initiatives for promoting animal health, rising funding for the development of new animal parasiticides, targeting a wide range of parasites, and collaborations between key players for increasing the availability of animal parasiticides in wide regional horizons.

The global animal parasiticides market can be segmented by product type, animal type, end-user, and region.

Animal Parasiticides Market By Product Type

Based on product type, the market can be segmented into endoparasiticides, ectoparasiticides, and endectocides. The ectoparasiticides segment accounted for the largest market share in 2019 owing to rising concerns over increasing human infectious diseases from ectoparasites. In the current times, the rising diseases that can be transmitted by external parasites include lyme disease, leishmaniosis, dirofilariasis, and tick-borne encephalitis. Moreover, the launch of new products against ectoparasites can be further attributed to the growth of the ectoparasiticides segment. For instance, in June 2020, Krka launched Prinocate (moxidectin and imidacloprid), a prescription-only spot-on ectoparasiticide for cats and dogs. It is licensed for the treatment & prevention of Angiostrongylus vasorum (lungworm), fleas, lice, mites, heartworm, and roundworms in dogs and treats fleas, mites, roundworm, and heartworm in cats.

Animal Parasiticides Market By Animal Type

Based on animal type, the animal parasiticides market can be segmented into companion animals and farm animals. In 2019, the companion animal segment accounted for the largest market share owing to growing animal companionship rates and rising concerns over the transmission of diseases from pet animals. Moreover, the spending on pets is increasing, which is further contributing to the growth of the companion animal segment. The 2018 American Pet Products Association’s (APPA’s) annual report on pet spending showed an increase of more than US$3 billion in 2018 as compared to 2017.

Animal Parasiticides Market By End User

Based on end-users, the animal parasiticides market can be segmented into veterinary hospitals & clinics, home care settings, and animal farms. In 2019, the veterinary hospitals & clinics segment accounted for the largest market share owing to rising animal health expenditure, growing promotion of animal health, and the increasing number of veterinary hospitals & clinics worldwide.

Animal Parasiticides Market By Region

The global animal parasiticides market can be segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of World (ROW). In 2019, North America dominated the animal parasiticides market followed by Europe and the Asia Pacific. The growing animal companionship in North America is contributing to the growth of the animal parasiticides market. According to the American Pet Products Association 2015-2016 (APPA), it is estimated that around 78 million dogs and 85.8 million cats are owned in the U.S. Approximately 44% of all households in the U.S. have a dog, and 35% have a cat. The other propelling factors in this region include the rising consumption of meat, poultry, milk, and other dairy products, high meat production, and growing animal health expenditure.

Animal Parasiticides Prominent Players

Some of the prominent players in the global animal parasiticides market are Intervet Inc. (Merck & Co. Inc.), Ceva, Zoetis, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Chanelle Pharma Group, Abbey Animal Health Pty Ltd, Bimeda, Inc., Norbrook, Vetoquinol S.A., Virbac, and Elanco, among others.