What Are the Top Parasites in Pets?

Pets live closer to the ground than we do—literally. They sniff the grass, splash in puddles, dig into every interesting scent, lick their paws, and explore the world without hesitation. In doing so, they meet countless microorganisms each day: bacteria, viruses, yeast, and parasites.

Most of these exposures are part of everyday pet life and often relate to what pet parents think of as common dog ailments or general common pet ailments. Not every interaction leads to illness; many simply leave an energetic footprint.

Below, we’ll walk through the top parasites in pets and other pathogen patterns that commonly appear on pet bioenergetic scans!

Do My Pets Have These Pathogens!?

Bioenergetics looks at how the body communicates at the energetic level. When certain pathogens appear as stress signatures, it does not mean your pet is infected or showing symptoms of dog ailments. Instead, it may reflect:

• Environmental exposure
• Immune memory
• Past interactions
• Internal imbalance or stress load
• The body’s efforts to maintain wellness

Top Parasites in Pets 

Parasites in pets are among the most common findings on wellness scans. Pets drink from outdoor water, dig in soil, nibble on grass, or share environments with other animals—normal activities that increase parasite exposure.

Below are the parasite and protozoa exposures most commonly seen in bioenergetic testing, along with a deeper explanation of what these stress patterns can tell you.

Giardia

Giardia is a microscopic protozoan parasite that lives in the intestines and is shed in the stool of infected animals. In dogs and cats, Giardia is most often picked up from contaminated water, soil, or surfaces—such as puddles, streams, or shared water bowls at parks or daycare centers.

Conventional resources note that Giardia attaches to the lining of the small intestine and can cause digestive upset, especially diarrhea, in some animals. Many dogs and cats, however, may carry or encounter Giardia without obvious signs.

Pets who love natural water sources, daycare environments, or dog parks are especially likely to encounter this parasite.

Bioenergetic Link: Look to the digestive system for stress, especially if they have occasional loose stools, gas, sensitive digestion, or if they frequently drink from outdoor water sources.

Toxoplasma

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite best known for its relationship with cats. Cats are the definitive host, meaning the parasite completes part of its life cycle in the feline intestine and can be shed in the feces as oocysts. Cats typically become infected by eating prey (like rodents or birds) or food contaminated with oocysts from another cat.

The oocysts shed in cat feces are not immediately infectious; they need time in the environment (usually one to five days) to sporulate and become capable of re-infecting other hosts. 

Even indoor cats may show this pattern if they were previously outdoors, live with other cats, or have contact with contaminated dust or soil brought into the home.

Bioenergetic Link: Look for stress in the immune system and liver affecting detox pathways on your bioenergetic test, especially in pets exposed to soil or multi-cat environments.

Cryptosporidium

Cryptosporidium is another protozoan parasite that affects the intestinal tract. In dogs and cats, Cryptosporidium spp. infect the microvilli of cells lining the small intestine and sometimes other organs. Many infections in pets are thought to be subclinical, meaning the animal may carry or encounter the organism with minimal obvious change.

Transmission usually occurs through ingestion of oocysts in contaminated water, soil, or surfaces. In both humans and animals, Cryptosporidium has been associated with contaminated recreational water and close contact with infected feces. 

Bioenergetic Link: Look for issues with hydration and mineral balance.

Parvovirus

Canine parvovirus (CPV), particularly CPV-2 and its variants, is a highly contagious virus that primarily affects dogs. It emerged in the late 1970s and quickly became a major cause of severe gastrointestinal disease in puppies and dogs worldwide.

The virus is highly stable in the environment and can survive on surfaces, in soil, and in organic matter, which is why kennels, shelters, and high-traffic dog spaces take it seriously. Conventional veterinary sources describe it as a cause of acute gastroenteritis, especially in young dogs.

Borrelia

Borrelia burgdorferi is the spirochete bacterium most commonly associated with Lyme disease in dogs, humans, and other animals. It is transmitted by certain Ixodes (blacklegged or deer) ticks during a blood meal, usually when a tick has been attached and feeding for 24–48 hours or more.

Once in the bloodstream, Borrelia organisms can travel to various tissues, including joints and kidneys, and are a key focus of conventional discussions about tick-borne dog ailments.

Bioenergetic Link: Look to your pet’s bioenergetic scan for stress in the integumentary system. 

Bartonella

Bartonella is a group of bacteria that can infect both cats and dogs. Bartonella henselae is best known as the cause of “cat scratch disease” in humans, and cats often serve as reservoirs, becoming infected through bites from infected fleas or contact with flea dirt.  Dogs can also be infected with several Bartonella species, including B. vinsonii subsp., B. berkhoffii, and B. henselae.

Babesia

Babesia species are protozoan parasites that infect red blood cells. In dogs, babesiosis is typically transmitted through the bite of infected ticks; certain breeds and lifestyles (like racing greyhounds or dogs involved in fighting) have historically shown a higher risk in some regions.

After a tick bites and feeds for a period, Babesia organisms can enter the bloodstream and invade red blood cells, which is why conventional veterinary medicine pays close attention to anemia and related signs in infected animals.

Ehrlichia

Ehrlichia species, particularly Ehrlichia canis in dogs, are bacteria transmitted primarily by tick bites. The brown dog tick is a major vector and can be found across many parts of North America and beyond.

Conventional veterinary sources describe ehrlichiosis as a tick-borne illness that can affect blood cells and various organ systems, which is why it’s taken seriously in regions where the brown dog tick is established.

Because ticks can be transported on people, other animals, or wildlife, even suburban and urban dogs may show Ehrlichia resonance.

Candida

Candida is a genus of yeast, with Candida albicans among the most commonly discussed species in both human and veterinary medicine. It is often part of the normal microbiota of mucosal surfaces, including the mouth, gastrointestinal tract, and sometimes the skin, but can become problematic when the balance is disrupted.

Bioenergetic Link: May be linked to itchiness, ear sensitivity, paw licking, gut imbalance, gas, bloating, or moisture-prone areas like skin folds or ears.

Leptospira

Leptospira are spiral-shaped bacteria associated with leptospirosis, a disease that can affect many mammals, including dogs and people. The bacteria are shed in the urine of infected animals (such as rodents, wildlife, or livestock) and can persist in wet environments like puddles, ponds, or slow-moving water. Dogs become infected primarily through contact with contaminated water or soil, or through mucous membranes and broken skin.

For pet parents, this can be a helpful reminder to think about where their dog drinks, plays, and explores.

Hookworm

Hookworms are intestinal parasites that dogs typically encounter through soil, contaminated environments, or contact with other animals. Hookworm larvae live in warm, moist soil and can enter a dog’s system through ingestion or through the skin, especially the paws. Puppies are particularly vulnerable because they explore with their mouths and spend more time close to the ground.

Many dogs with environmental exposure never show obvious signs, while others may experience changes tied to the digestive system.

Bioenergetic Link: Hookworms may affect the Blood System and disrupt iron balance.  

Simple Ways to Support Your Pet’s Terrain at Home

Your pet’s environment plays a huge role in how their body responds to everyday exposures. Small, consistent habits can make a noticeable difference in how balanced and resilient their terrain feels. Here are some simple practices that help lighten the load on your pet’s system.

1. Keep outdoor water intake supervised

Puddles, streams, and shared water bowls can expose pets to parasites and bacteria. Offering clean, fresh water before playtime helps them choose the safer option.

2. Wipe paws after walks

Soil, lawn treatments, puddle residue, and microscopic organisms can collect on paws. A quick wipe supports the skin and lymphatic terrain and minimizes what gets tracked into the home.

3. Rotate and wash food and water bowls regularly

Biofilms build up quickly on bowls. Rotating bowls and washing them daily supports the gut and immune terrain—especially for pets prone to yeast or digestive stress.

4. Support hydration in creative ways

Hydration influences digestion, detox pathways, and overall vitality. Pets may benefit from:

• adding broth to meals
• including wet food
  

5. Use prebiotic or probiotic sources when appropriate

A balanced microbiome supports the immune system and gut terrain. Many pet parents use fermented foods, prebiotic fibers, or probiotic toppers to support this foundation from a wellness perspective.

6. Reduce environmental moisture

Moisture invites yeast, bacteria, and parasite activity—especially in humid climates or multi-pet homes. Dehumidifiers, airflow, and regular bedding washes help maintain a comfortable, balanced environment.

7. Minimize exposure to standing water

Stagnant water often carries microorganisms like Leptospira, Giardia, and Cryptosporidium. Steering pets away from puddles, drainage areas, and old buckets helps reduce unnecessary exposure.

Exploring the top parasites in pets and the pathogen stress patterns we often see in bioenergetic testing gives you a better sense of how your pet’s terrain responds to everyday life. Whether your dog splashes through puddles, your cat investigates the backyard, or your pets share bowls and bedding, their environment constantly shapes how their bodies allocate energy.