Is your cat or dog making you sick?

Americans love their cats and dogs. So much so, that we allow them to share our beds, snuggle with them on the couch, and let them plant a slobbery kiss on our cheek.  But should we?  Is it possible these cute and cuddly balls of fur can be the source of sickness? With more than 68% of U.S. households or about 85 million families owning these pets welcoming them into their homes, living in close proximity may possibly raise some health concerns.

To sort out the possibility of picking up some sort of illness from your cat or dog, here are common questions to ask when fido or mittens shares your home with you:

·      Could they give me a cold or the flu?

The short answer is no.  The cold and flu viruses are species specific so the common cold that affects humans is specific to only humans.  Animals can catch colds and flu but animal species have different strains of these viruses affecting them, so no worries here.

·      Can they give me diarrhea?

Whenever your cat or dog has diarrhea, you could become infected if you come into contact with their feces especially if it is Salmonella or Campylobacter.  Do not touch their feces without some sort of protective gloves and always wash your hands after handling feces and always before handling food.  The greater risk of contracting Salmonella or Campylobacter is pet owners of reptiles such as turtles and snakes, baby chicks and ducklings, as well as hamsters and mice.  

·      I let my dog lick my face – is there saliva clean?

If you let your pooch lick your face, you may want to reconsider.  Just like human saliva, dog saliva can be just as mucky.  Dogs have bacteria around their mouths you don’t want on your face. Remember, dogs lick themselves all over, so these germs can be on the dog’s nose when it’s nuzzling you.  Anyone who is immune-compromised should not allow their dog to lick their mouth or nose.  And never let them lick an open sore or wound.

·      Can they transfer poison ivy or poison oak?

Yes they can.  Although the plant’s tenacious oil won’t bother fido or mittens in the least, it can spread from their fur to your skin faster quicker than you realize. So if you think your pooch or kitty has come into contact with poison ivy or oak after a frolic through the woods or your backyard, give them a bath to wash away as much of the plant’s oil as possible.

·      Could I be allergic to my pet?

Yes - the most common health issue is irritation from your pet’s hair or dandruff. Some people are vulnerable and should take precautions by using hypoallergenic shampoos on their animals.  But if you suffer from allergies to pet dander, your best bet is to look for a hypoallergenic breeds of dogs and cats.  Fortunately, there are dozens of dog and cat breeds that are safe for people with allergies. 

·      Can I pick up parasites from my pets?

Animals like cats and dogs can host a variety of parasites which can be passed on to you. Examples include hookworms and roundworms. Puppies, as adorably cute as they are, can be a reservoir for some parasites which they can pass on to people.  One such parasite is toxocariasis, an infection transmitted from animals to humans caused by parasitic roundworms commonly found in the intestine of dog and cats.  Young children and owners of dogs have a higher chance of becoming infected. 

Cats can sometimes be harboring toxoplasmosis, a common infection you can contract through contact with feces from infected cats. The chance of getting this infection is slim if your cat lives indoors and doesn’t hunt or eat raw meat.  But pregnant women should not change a cat’s litter box to prevent contact with cat feces. Cat’s litter boxes should be changed daily as toxoplasmosis cysts require 48 hours to become infective. 

·      What about Lyme disease?

This tick-borne bacteria is always an issue when you’re camping or hiking.  But if you own a cat or dog that very likely also goes outdoors, you’re at a greater risk.  Dogs can contact Lyme themselves unless you treat them with a barrier medication.  Ticks can also drop from an animal’s coat and crawl onto your leg.  Whenever your pet spends time in nature, thoroughly inspect the coat and dispose of any ticks you find.

·      What can I do to prevent the spread of an illness from my pet to me?

There many preventative steps you can take to significantly lessen the likelihood of your cat or dog making you sick:

·      Get your pet vaccinated and keep them up-to-date.  Just as vaccines keep you and your children safe, they are absolutely essential for pets. Not only will vaccines keep your animals healthy, they will also protect you and others your pets come in contact with.

·      Schedule routine checkups and blood work.  These can catch potential health problems before they become an issue.

·      Wash your hands frequently, especially after handling your pets, their feces and before handling food.

·      Keep your pets healthy.  The most effective way to avoid contracting an illness from your pet is to keep them from getting sick.  Pets are generally not a danger to you or your family if you take proper care of them.