The research aims to address potential environmental impacts.
The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is inviting feedback from UK cat and dog owners about their use of flea and tick spot-on treatments.
It comes after a study by the University of Sussex found widespread contamination of English rivers with fipronil and imidaclopin — two pesticides commonly used in veterinary flea products.
As part of efforts to minimise the environmental impact of veterinary medicines, the VMD has launched a survey aimed at UK pet owners to better understand how they use and dispose of spot-on flea and tick treatments.
The survey is open to all UK dog and cat owners over the age of 18, who will be asked about where and how they purchase treatments, how they apply and dispose of treatments, and what influences purchasing decisions.
Respondents to the survey will also be asked about their awareness of the potential environmental impacts of spot-on treatments.
Gavin Hall, deputy chief executive officer at the VMD, said: “We are committed to gathering robust evidence on how these important veterinary medicines are used in practice. This survey will help build the evidence base for future action and policy decisions to protect both our beloved pets and the environment they live in.”
The VMD hopes that findings from the survey will help inform future guidance to protect both animal health and the environment.
The survey is available here and will remain open until 1 Jan 2026.
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Companies marketing medicines for small pets exempt from authorisation must submit their annual return to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) by 30 November 2026.
