Owning pets in the UK and Ireland is very beneficial for some, but does bring risks and responsibilities. Over recent years, parasites endemic to the UK have been overshadowed by exotic parasites. This article turns the reader's attention back to these ‘everyday parasites’, exploring the effects of infestation/infection, lifecycles, identification and control of fleas, ticks, mites, tapeworms and Toxocara spp. The diagnostic and control challenges faced by pet owners and veterinarians are explored from the perspective of the One Health initiative.