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Anyone who’s watched their dog go through a bout of diarrhea or the sniffles has probably wondered if they, too, were at risk of getting sick. So, can you get sick from your dog? The answer is yes. There are a number of diseases you can contract from your pet, and they are known broadly as zoonotic diseases. The word “zoonotic” is used to designate any disease that is transmitted from animals to humans. The best known and most feared example of a zoonotic disease is rabies. Other common zoonotic diseases in dogs include:
The best way to reduce or eliminated your risk of contracting zoonotic diseases from your dog is simple and boils down to hygiene and common sense. Here are some more specific suggestions:
If I’m at a higher risk, should I give my dog away? No! It just means that you need to be extra cautious around your pet. Besides, there are a lot of studies out there that have proven that the benefits of having a pet, especially if suffering from chronic illness, are immeasurable. In fact, sometimes doctors actually recommend pets for their sick patients. Several measures can be taken to ensure that you remain safe, including regularly monitoring your dog for signs of illness, basic hygienic practices such as washing your hands after handling your pet, and most importantly, avoiding direct contact with your dog’s urine or feces. Make sure you use that pooper-scooper! Read below for more tips to keep yourself safe from zoonotic diseases.
Yikes! Is my dog really that risky? Now for the good news: although it’s possible to catch a zoonotic disease that’s been bothering your pup, it’s not likely. That being said, your chance of contracting a zoonotic illness does increase if you have a compromised immune system due to a pre-existing disease or medical condition. Examples include:
If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian – they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.
The Risks of Helping Stray and Lost Animals
It’s a sad fact that even the friendliest of dogs can bite when scared, hungry, sick, or hurt. Stray dogs may also be carrying diseases that are potentially contagious to other pets and even to people. Loose dogs who appear to be healthy and willingly approach their rescuers can be leashed and taken to a safe location, but if approaching the dog could put you at risk, it’s best to call your local animal control agency.
Or as Jack Griffin, director of Shelter Services at the Women’s Humane Society in Bensalem, Pennsylvania says, “We recommend that if a person comes across a stray animal, that they bring the animal to a local animal shelter for medical assessment and to check the database should their owner be looking for them. Should they be unable to capture the animal easily, we suggest that people contact the local authorities.”
One Thing You Shouldn’t Do If You Meet a Stray Dog
Anyone who’s watched their dog go through a bout of diarrhea or the sniffles has probably wondered if they, too, were at risk of getting sick. So, can you get sick from your dog? The answer is yes. There are a number of diseases you can contract from your pet, and they are known broadly as zoonotic diseases. The word “zoonotic” is used to designate any disease that is transmitted from animals to humans. The best known and most feared example of a zoonotic disease is rabies. Other common zoonotic diseases in dogs include:
Yikes! Is my dog really that risky? Now for the good news: although it’s possible to catch a zoonotic disease that’s been bothering your pup, it’s not likely. That being said, your chance of contracting a zoonotic illness does increase if you have a compromised immune system due to a pre-existing disease or medical condition. Examples include:
If I’m at a higher risk, should I give my dog away? No! It just means that you need to be extra cautious around your pet. Besides, there are a lot of studies out there that have proven that the benefits of having a pet, especially if suffering from chronic illness, are immeasurable. In fact, sometimes doctors actually recommend pets for their sick patients. Several measures can be taken to ensure that you remain safe, including regularly monitoring your dog for signs of illness, basic hygienic practices such as washing your hands after handling your pet, and most importantly, avoiding direct contact with your dog’s urine or feces. Make sure you use that pooper-scooper! Read below for more tips to keep yourself safe from zoonotic diseases.
The best way to reduce or eliminated your risk of contracting zoonotic diseases from your dog is simple and boils down to hygiene and common sense. Here are some more specific suggestions:
If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian – they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.