Pets make wonderful companions and help keep us healthy and active. However, like people, they can become infected with bacteria, parasites, fungi and viruses from spoiled food, other infected animals, the environment or infected humans. Some of these diseases can be passed from your pet to you.

What diseases can I catch from my pet?

Pets such as dogs, cats, rabbits, rodents, reptiles and birds can all spread diseases to humans. Disease may be spread when touching an infected pet, or by coming into contact with their feces, urine, saliva or food. While disease does not happen very often, and is usually mild, severe disease can occur. Infections that can be spread from animals to humans include:

• E. coli
• Salmonella
• Campylobacter
• Giardia
• Cryptosporidium
• Yersinia
• Toxoplasma
• Rabies
• Bartonella
• Psittacosis
• Tinea or ringworm
• Roundworms
• Tapeworms
• Hookworms

You may also come into contact with other animals that are not normally kept as pets such as cows, horses, goats or pigs. These animals can also spread diseases. For more information on diseases that these animals can spread, see HealthLinkBC File #61b Petting Zoo and Open Farm Visits.

Who is at higher risk?

People at risk of serious problems from some of these infections include:

• Fetuses and infants
• Young children
• The elderly
• People with weakened immune systems from HIV/AIDS, cancer treatment, steroid therapy or organ or bone marrow transplant.

How can I prevent infections?

Your personal hygiene and health:

• Wash your hands after handling or cleaning up after your pet, its feces, toys, treats or food. Wash your hands before preparing food, eating or smoking
• Make sure that children wash their hands right after touching animals. Many children have been infected by touching pets and then putting their fingers in their mouths before washing their hands
• Avoid any direct skin contact with animal feces, vomit, urine or saliva
• Do not share dishes or utensils with your pet. Dishes and utensils are only for people. Pet food dishes are only for pets
• Do not let your pet lick your child’s face or your face
• People with weakened immune systems should discuss the risk of disease with their healthcare provider before getting a pet

For more information on hand washing, see HealthLinkBC File #85 Handwashing: Help Stop the Spread of Germs.

Your pet's hygiene and health:

• All new pets should be examined by a veterinarian who may run some tests to screen for disease. Puppies and kittens are more likely to be infected with bacteria and parasites, especially if they have diarrhea or were strays
• Pets that are imported may carry diseases that are not normally found in B.C. These animals should be examined by a veterinarian upon arrival
• Keep your pet clean and well-groomed. Trim its nails often
• Keep your pet’s living and feeding area clean
• Control parasites such as roundworms, tapeworms and fleas, which can be inside and outside your pet’s body
• Take your pet to the veterinarian for a yearly checkup and keep your pet’s vaccinations up to date, especially for rabies
• Contact your veterinarian right away if your pet becomes less active or shows signs of illness such as loss of appetite, a change in behavior, a cough that does not go away, sneezing, weight loss or diarrhea
• Outdoor cats can become infected with Toxoplasma from eating infected birds or rodents. If you have an outdoor cat, place a bell on the collar or give them a brightly coloured collar cover or bib to help warn prey. Indoor cats fed store-bought pet food are not at risk for Toxoplasma infections
• Turtles, reptiles (including snakes and iguanas), and chicks are often infected with Salmonella

Animal bites:

• Animal bites and scratches are sources of infection because the mouths and feet of all animals can be contaminated. For example, cat bites or scratches can cause Bartonella infection also known as Cat Scratch Disease
• Dog bites occur more than any other animal bite. Minor animal bites from a pet can usually be treated at home. Clean any bite or scratch with warm water and soap right after the injury. See your health care provider if a bite is deep, becomes infected, or your tetanus vaccination is not up to date. See your health care provider if the bite was unexpected or unprovoked or if you are scratched or bitten by a bat. Your health care provider may contact public health authorities if there is a concern about rabies

Your pet's diet:

• Feed your pet high-quality pet foods
• It is best to avoid feeding your pet raw meat, raw meat pet treats or unpasteurized milk. Because they are raw, these products can contain germs that can make you or your pet sick. Your pet may get infected from eating these products. You can become infected if you do not wash your hands after handling these products or after touching your pet. If you choose to feed these products to your pet, handle them safely. Wash and disinfect all surfaces and pet bowls that have been in contact with this food. Do not leave the food out. Immediately cover and refrigerate what your pet doesn’t eat. For more information, see HealthLinkBC File #59a Food Safety: Easy Ways to Make Food Safer
• Do not let your pet eat feces
• Do not let your pet drink from the toilet bowl
• Do not allow your pet access to the garbage
• Do not let your pet eat other animals

Bird cages:

• Keep bird cages and enclosures clean to prevent the build-up of droppings. When cleaning droppings and cages, use disposable gloves and do not pick up droppings with your bare hands. Always wash your hands thoroughly afterwards. Avoid creating dust by using a damp cloth to wipe up the droppings. The droppings may contain bacteria that can be inhaled and cause a disease called psittacosis. The symptoms of psittacosis include fever, headache, rash, muscle aches and cough.

Litter boxes:

• People can become infected with Toxoplasma by swallowing the parasite after contact with an infected cat’s feces. Toxoplasmosis in pregnant women can cause serious problems for the developing baby such as brain damage or death. People undergoing therapy such as chemotherapy, radiation or HIV/AIDS can develop further complications

Safe handling and cleaning of litter:

• Keep the litter box away from the kitchen and eating areas
• Remove feces from the litter box daily so that the parasite does not have a chance to become infectious. Pregnant women should get someone else to do this. If no one is available, wear rubber gloves and wash your hands with soap and warm water afterwards
• Avoid inhaling or ingesting dust when you dispose of the litter, as you could get infected. Line the box with a plastic liner that will act as a bag for the litter when you dispose of it. Change the liner each time you change the litter, at least once a week.
• Disinfect the litter box once a month by wiping it out, filling it with boiling water and letting it stand for 5 minutes. No other disinfection method kills Toxoplasma
• Wash your hands with soap and water after cleaning the litter box
• Cats may use your garden or sand box instead of the litter box so put a cover on the sand box or chicken wire around the garden to keep them out. Wear gloves during gardening and wash your hands after gardening or playing in the sand box

For More Information

For more information, see the following HealthLinkBC Files:

• HealthLinkBC File #07 Rabies
• HealthLinkBC File #10 Giardia Infection
• HealthLinkBC File #17 Salmonellosis
• HealthLinkBC File #43 Toxoplasmosis
• HealthLinkBC File #48 Cryptosporidium Infection
• HealthLinkBC File #58 Campylobacter Infection
• HealthLinkBC File #77 Yersiniosis