“The risk of catching disease from your pet is low and largely preventable with simple hygiene.”
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One of the most frequently asked questions I receive from my clients is,
“Can my pet make me sick?”
Well, the short answer is yes, and there’s even a name for these type of diseases: zoonotic diseases or zoonosis.
But to put things in perspective…
… the health benefits of having pets far outweigh the risks of your pet making you sick.
Five main diseases you can catch from your pet
Luckily, in Australia, we don’t have to worry about rabies (unless you own a pet bat!) and every zoonotic disease you may catch from your pet is either preventable or treatable.
Here are the five main diseases you can catch from your pet…
1. Stomach bugs
Bugs such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, and Giardia are all found in the faeces of dogs and cats who are fed raw meat. Although these bugs usually won’t make your pet sick, they can give you gastroenteritis-type illness, including vomiting and diarrhoea.
The main risk for you occurs when you come into with contact pet faeces, so careful washing of hands after a trip to the dog park or cleaning up after your pet will usually prevent this type of illness.
2. Meningitis and pneumonia
Staphylococcus is a bacterium that lives naturally on your pets without causing them harm, but it can cause a range of rare illnesses in humans, including skin and wound infections, pneumonia and even meningitis.
The easiest way to avoid infection is to not let your pet lick or nuzzle your face, especially if you have an open wound.
3. Toxoplasma
Toxoplasma is a type of parasite that can live in warm-blooded animals, particularly cats. It can especially be a problem for immunocompromised people and pregnant women, because it can damage the development of a fetus.
The easiest way to avoid toxoplasma is to regularly clean kitty litter trays (and thoroughly wash your hands after) and to be especially careful when gardening or playing in sand pits where old cat faeces may be present.
4. Worms
Roundworm and hookworm can all be easily controlled by regularly worming and bathing of your animals. Read more here Even in the highly unlikely event you catch worms from your pet, the good news is they can easily be treated.
5. Cat Scratch Fever
If your cat scratches you, you could become infected with Bartonella, a bacterium that causes fever and swollen lymph nodes.
Your cat actually gets these germs from live flea faeces, so you can easily prevent this disease by keeping your cat up to date with flea treatment, regular grooming and washing of your cats bedding.
And training pets and humans (especially young children) how to safely interact with each other will help prevent bites or scratches occurring in the first place.
When you should take extra caution
If you have a healthy immune system, the risk of getting sick from your pet is low, even if you share a bed with them.
However your chance of your pet making you sick increases if you or anyone in your household has a compromised immune system, especially if you:
- They are very young,
- They are very old,
- have diseases that compromise the immune system like HIV,
- are pregnant, or
- They are undergoing chemotherapy.
If your immune system is compromised, it might be wise to discuss with your doctor whether you should avoid contact with animals until your system recovers.
But if this is not possible, you can help protect yourself from catching a disease from your pet by taking the following precautions.
Minimise the risk of your pet making you sick
The good news is there are a few easy steps you can take to ensure your pet won’t make you sick:
- Wash your hands after you handle your pet or their faeces, and especially before you handle food
- Ensure you regularly give your pet their worm and flea treatment
- Wash your pet’s bedding in hot water, where possible, and ensure you regularly groom your pet
- Remove any pet faeces from your home quickly and hygienically, ensuring you wash your hands immediately afterwards
- Don’t share implements for human and animal food preparation
- Teach your children how to safely interact with your pet and always supervise their interaction
- Don’t let your pet drink from toilet bowls or eat faeces
But although just about every pet can make you sick (including birds transmitting parrot fever, reptiles passing on salmonella and rodents giving you LCMV) luckily these instances are quite rare, and the basic hygiene precautions outlined above can prevent most of these illnesses.
If you have any concerns about the health of your pet, then contact us and a mobile vet can come to your place to assess any risk.
We can also help you put procedures into place to prevent the transmission of disease and ensure that your pet won’t make you sick.
Key Takeaways
- Pets can pass some diseases to humans
These are known as zoonotic diseases, but most are preventable or treatable. - Risk is generally low for healthy individuals
Basic hygiene and routine pet care significantly reduce the chance of infection. - Certain groups need to be more cautious
Young children, older adults, pregnant individuals, and those with weakened immunity are at higher risk. - Preventive care plays a key role
Regular worming, flea control and hygiene practices help minimise transmission.
In-Home Services
In-home care forms the foundation of how we treat and manage your pet’s health. Most conditions can be assessed, treated, and monitored in a familiar environment where pets are calmer and easier to handle. Available to residents of Sydney’s inner city, Inner West, Eastern Suburbs and the Lower North Shore.
Testimonials
Debby Ross
First visit from Ari and Ellie and it went beyond all expectations. They were so genuinely interested in my two cats. Of course I couldn’t stop talking about them but they clearly were not bored. Did excellent health checks and vaccinations – was an absolute pleasure and I would totally recommend them to anybody. So fabulous having no stress of lugging…
Daniel Birchall
Elle’s exceptionally professional, warm, and helpful phone manner, together with Dr Ari’s prompt arrival, gentle approach with Hudson, and clear, thorough medical explanations and recommendations, immediately put my mind at ease. The high level of care and professionalism demonstrated confirmed that contacting VETaround was the right decision.
Amanda Yeates
Ari is the best vet ever. His home visits are incredible. Such a great service to not have to put your beloved pets in the stressful situation of a car. Or around sick pets in a waiting area. My cats LOVE HIM. Ollie my male cat NEVER comes out of hiding when visitors come over. With Ari, he not only came out, let him weigh him, have his check up done…
Charmaine Caffrey
I was very pleased with the ladies from VETaround Mobile vet. Professional, polite and very knowledgeable. Certainly eased my mind about my cat 🐈 would recommend them to anyone needing good veterinary care for their pet. We all know just how important our four legged friends are!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can pets make humans sick, and how common is it?
Pets can pass certain diseases to humans, known as zoonotic diseases. However, the overall risk is low, particularly for people with a healthy immune system. Most cases can be prevented with basic hygiene and routine pet care.
What diseases can you catch from dogs and cats?
Common examples include stomach bugs, toxoplasma, worms and infections from scratches. These are typically linked to contact with faeces, saliva or fleas. While they can cause illness, most are either preventable or treatable.
How do stomach bugs spread from pets to humans?
Bacteria such as Salmonella and Campylobacter can be present in pet faeces, especially in animals fed raw meat. Humans may become unwell if they come into contact with contaminated surfaces or waste. Washing hands thoroughly after handling pets or cleaning up helps reduce this risk.
Who is most at risk of catching diseases from pets?
People with weakened immune systems are at higher risk, including young children, older adults and pregnant individuals. Certain conditions or treatments, such as chemotherapy, can also increase vulnerability. Extra care with hygiene and pet handling is important in these situations.
How can I reduce the risk of getting sick from my pet?
Simple steps such as washing hands after handling pets, cleaning bedding regularly and maintaining flea and worm treatments are effective. Avoid sharing food preparation areas and supervise children around animals. These measures significantly reduce the likelihood of transmission.
Can a vet help assess the risk of zoonotic diseases at home?
A mobile vet can assess your pet’s health and identify any potential risks within your household. This includes reviewing parasite control and hygiene practices. Advice can then be tailored to your specific situation to help minimise risk.