Are you aware of diseases you could catch from your cat or dog? We often think of wild animals as being our main risk when it comes to transmitting and spreading diseases. Still, the much-loved domestic cat and dog can play host to a long list of viruses and parasites that can easily spread to humans.
Although welcoming a new pet into your family is a busy time, you should aim to do your research into which diseases you could catch from them. After all, knowing the most common conditions and their signs and symptoms can help ensure everyone in your home stays healthy.
Thankfully, most diseases you're at risk of catching are easily treatable, and the more serious ones are rare. However, it can't hurt to take a look at five diseases you could catch from your cat or dog so that you know what to look out for and how best to prevent them.
- Best flea treatment for dogs: Protect your pup from parasites
- Do fleas bite humans? Find out more about the pesky parasites that plague your pets
- A vet's guide to Lyme Disease in dogs
1. Toxoplasmosis
If you’ve ever wondered why pregnant women are told to steer well clear of their feline friends, it’s because of Toxoplasmosis. This parasite usually affects cats but can cause flu-like symptoms in infected humans. While that may not sound like anything to worry about, the infection can pass from an infected mother to her unborn baby through the placenta, causing severe complications.
For those who already own a cat and are trying to get pregnant, rest assured you don't have to banish your furbaby to a temporary home. There are plenty of safety precautions you can take to prevent this nasty parasite from popping up.
Firstly, make sure someone else handles litter box duties while you’re pregnant, as coming into contact with feline feces is one of the easiest ways to contract Toxoplasmosis. Wash your hands thoroughly if you come into contact with any cat waste, and consider keeping your kitty indoors as much as possible to reduce the risk of infection.
2. Worms
From tapeworm to hookworm, cats and dogs have the potential to transfer a whole host of parasitic illnesses to their pet parents.
Tapeworm, roundworm, and hookworm all infect humans in roughly the same way by entering the body via the mouth. Often, this happens when people inadvertently swallow an infected flea. While that may sound gross and unlikely, fleas are tiny and incredibly fast. Hence, it only takes something as simple as snuggling up with your pet or kissing them for a flea to find an opportunity.
The good news is that you can take some simple steps to prevent these worms from setting up camp in your stomach and intestines. Wash your hands after playing with your pet and clean up after them, as worms and flea eggs are often present in feces. Ensure you regularly use either the best flea treatment for dogs or the best flea treatment for cats to protect your furry family members and yourself from those unwelcome hitchhikers.
Although ringworm sounds like a worm, it’s actually a fungal infection that lives on your pet’s skin. It is transmitted easily from pets to people, especially children. It often appears as a tell-tale ring on the skin and requires treatment in the form of an anti-fungal cream or oral solution.
To prevent it, wash your pet and their bedding regularly and vacuum your home frequently to remove dead skin cells. To make sure you notice the signs early, you should keep an eye out for skin rashes and contact your veterinarian if you’re concerned.
3. Cat Scratch Disease
Cat Scratch Disease (CSD) is a bacterial infection that spreads when a cat licks a person’s open wound or scratches or bites them hard enough to break the skin. It is caused by a bacterium called Bartonella henselae that infects cats through flea bites and flea droppings. When the germ spreads to people through broken skin, it causes a mild infection, fever, exhaustion, and enlarged lymph nodes.
Although rare, CSD has been known to cause serious complications in some people, particularly young children, teenagers, and those with suppressed or weakened immune systems. For most people, though, flu-like symptoms are the extent of a CSD infection.
To prevent CSD, make sure your cat receives proper flea protection in the form of a licensed flea collar or one of the best topical flea treatments. Immediately wash and clean any scratches or bites with a saline solution or warm soapy water, and regularly change your kitty’s bedding.
4. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever or Lyme Disease
One of about a dozen spotted fever illnesses found worldwide, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is common in the south Atlantic and south-central parts of the United States. Transmitted to humans via the American dog tick and the Rocky Mountain wood tick, it is the most common fatal tick-borne disease in the United States.
Although dogs themselves don’t pass on the disease, the ticks they carry can easily jump from host to host, moving from your furry friend to you. 90% of cases occur in the warmer months from May to September.
Symptoms of infection include severe headaches, fever, nausea, and exhaustion, accompanied by a rash that usually develops 2-5 days after the initial symptoms. You must seek medical attention for these symptoms if you suspect RMSF, as it is generally curable when treated with the antibiotic Doxycycline.
There is no vaccine for RMSF, with regular flea and tick prevention measures being the best line of defence. It can also be helpful to learn how to remove a tick from your pet to ensure both you and your dog stay healthy.
5. Rabies
Rabies is primarily found in wild animals, like bats and raccoons. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that most Rabies deaths in humans are caused by bites from dogs who another infected animal has bitten. It can also be spread through scratches or a dog's saliva coming into contact with your mouth, nose, or eyes.
While you might think it’d be easy to know if your dog has Rabies, the incubation period can last for weeks or months, meaning you could be at risk without realizing it. Thankfully, while Rabies can be fatal, it’s also preventable and curable with prompt medical attention.
Early symptoms to watch out for include fever, headaches, and general weakness or discomfort. See your doctor if you have been bitten or scratched or if you notice changes in your dog that mean you could have contracted the disease without being aware of it. However, the best way to avoid contracting Rabies from your pet is to ensure their vaccinations are up to date.
