Many people have pets. They provide companionship and comfort. They help you feel less stressed, and they can lower your blood pressure. They might even help you live longer.
Of course, if you're allergic to animals, a pet might adversely affect your health. But did you realize that animals can also pass diseases to people? For example, dogs and cats can infect people with worms that cause diarrhea. Birds can infect their owners with a type of respiratory disease. An estimated 70,000 people get salmonellosis from contact with reptiles in the United States each year. Diseases passed from animals to humans are called zoonoses.
The most serious disease that animals can transmit to people is rabies. Cats, as well as dogs, should be immunized against rabies. The good news is that responsible pet owners are keeping their animals immunized each year. Because of this, the number of rabies cases in the United States has been drastically reduced. However, rabies is still found in wild animals.
Because wild animals can carry diseases that are dangerous to people, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) discourages direct contact with wildlife. You should never adopt wild animals as pets or bring to them home. Teach your children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if the animals appear to be friendly.
Keep Your Pet Healthy
Owning a pet can be a rewarding experience for children and adults. And you can make sure it's a healthy experience by following a few simple tips. It all starts with keeping your pet healthy and being a responsible pet owner. CDC offers the following ways to keep your pet healthy:
- Adopt your pet from an animal shelter or purchase it from a reputable pet store or breeder.
- Have your new companion checked out right away by a veterinarian.
- Keep your pet under a veterinarian's care for regularly scheduled shots and treatment for worms. This reduces the chance that your pet could get sick and pass an infection to you or your family. Since the cost of veterinary care may not be within everyone's reach, the local animal shelter or humane society might have information about low-cost clinics.
- Give your pet a balanced diet, and do not allow it to eat raw food or drink out of the toilet.
- Clean your pet's living area at least once a week. Bury the feces, or place them in a plastic bag and then put it in the trash.
- Litter boxes should be cleaned daily and the dirty litter placed in a plastic bag. To prevent infectious diseases that may cause birth defects, pregnant women should not change cat litter boxes.
- A child's sandbox can become a cat's litter box, so cover it when it's not in use. Areas that have been contaminated with dog or cat feces should be off limits to children – not only at home but also in public areas, such as parks or playgrounds. And because toddlers naturally explore their environment, teach children not to eat dirt.
- Wash your hands with soap and water after handling or cleaning up after animals, especially reptiles. Teach your children to do the same. This is also important after contacting dirt because hookworms from animal feces in the soil can enter through your skin.
At Special Risk
Infants and children less than five years old are more likely than most people to get diseases from animals. This is because young children often touch surfaces that are contaminated with animal feces (stool), and young children like to put their hands in their mouths. Young children are less likely than others to wash their hands well. Objects such as pacifiers may fall to dirty surfaces and then be placed in an infant's mouth.
CDC recommends that infants and children under five years old avoid contact with the following animals:
- Reptiles (lizards, snakes, and turtles)
- Amphibians (frogs, toads, newts, and salamanders)
- Baby chicks
- Ducklings
Additionally, children younger than five years old should be extra cautious when visiting farms and having direct contact with farm animals. This includes animals at petting zoos and fairs.
Pregnant women need to be aware that toxoplasmosis (TOX-so-plaz-MO-sis) can cause problems with pregnancy, including miscarriage. The parasite that causes toxoplasmosis is carried by cats and is passed in their feces (stool). However, people are more likely to get toxoplasmosis from eating undercooked meat or gardening than from contact with pet cats. By following simple safety tips, pregnant women can reduce the risk of getting toxoplasmosis from cats.
Although the risks are low, people with compromised immune systems can get an infection from pets or other animals. You do not have to give up your pet. Several simple precautions are all you need to take with pets or other animals if you have HIV/AIDS or are an organ transplant patient.
Low Risk, High Benefit
Although animals can carry germs, it is important to know that you are more likely to get some of these germs from contaminated food or water than from your pet or another animal you encounter. Just be aware of the risks, take care to keep your pet healthy, and enjoy the years of smiles and happiness your pet can bring you.
In return for all you receive from your pet, the American Animal Hospital Association asks you to provide a safe environment, quality diet, exercise, and adequate veterinary care for your pet. |
