Dangerous Health Risks That You Can Get From Pets

Getting sick is something that we all generally try to avoid. After all, it's not particularly fun when we don't feel 100%. However, no matter how much we take care of ourselves, we're bound to come down with something every now and again. All we can do is try to reduce the risk of that happening.

One way to do that is to be careful around any pets we might have. Although it's not super common, it turns out there are certain health risks that come from having a pet. Sure, they might help, but could they hinder us, too?

Ringworm is transmittable from touching infected puppies and kittens

Apparently, there are some diseases you're more likely to catch from your pets than others if the animals are on the younger side. So, if you brought home a kitten or a puppy somewhat recently, you should probably be cautious about the possibility of catching ringworm. This is a fungal disease that leaves scaly, circular rashes on the skin.

You're most likely to pick up this zoonotic disease if you touch your pet once they're infected or if you handle things like towels and blankets they've used. You could even get it from the soil outside if this is somewhere that the animal has done their business. Thankfully, getting rid of ringworm is easy enough with antifungal ointment.

Washing your hands thoroughly and gardening with gloves help prevent ringworm

You apparently only really need to worry about ringworm if you have a cat or dog, and a young one at that. However, saying that, it is possible for these animals to still contract ringworm in their later years. What's more, adult cats reportedly often don't present symptoms of the disease when they have ringworm.

The best way to prevent catching ringworm yourself is to be efficient with washing your hands after you've had contact with your pet. The sooner you do it and the more thorough you are, the less likely it will be that you end up with the disease. Wearing gloves while gardening is good, too, to avoid contamination from soil.

Roundworm eggs can survive in moist environments for up to a month

One zoonotic disease that you should probably be quite wary of if you have puppies or kittens is roundworm. Apparently, this is actually something that a lot of these animals are born with rather than an illness they pick up from the environment. So, it pays to be cautious when you bring one of these animals home.

Supposedly, roundworm eggs can live in moist environments such as soil and sand for a month after being expelled from your pet. If you happen to handle these substances when they're infected and don't clean up properly afterward, you put yourself at great risk of swallowing the eggs. Of course, that's not something that you want to do.

Roundworm can potentially have severe side effects on the heart, lungs, and brain

Someone that's infected with roundworm can have all sorts of symptoms, some of which are definitely worse than others. Rare cases have seen people face issues with their eyes, lungs, heart, and brain. Fortunately, in a lot of cases, people who swallow roundworm eggs don't present any symptoms, and they're expelled from the body after several months.

If you do have symptoms, certain antiparasitic drugs can help to treat the problem and stop things from getting worse. Of course, you can always avoid catching anything in the first place by washing your hands thoroughly before eating and getting your cats and dogs de-wormed regularly. Both of these actions can make all the difference.

Hookworm can be picked up if the larvae penetrate unprotected skin 

It's a little concerning how many worms seem to be transmittable from animals like cats and dogs to humans. One you need to look out for is hookworms, which can work similarly to roundworms. The eggs get expelled when animals do their business and then survive in environments like sand and soil for some time.

A person is able to catch these parasites if the hookworm larvae penetrate their skin. This could occur from something as simple as walking on the beach if you walk on the ground where a cat or dog has gone to the bathroom semi-recently. It's maybe no wonder that some beaches only allow dogs in certain areas, if at all.

Wearing footwear on the beach could help you to avoid getting hookworms

A person who has contracted hookworms will typically have the parasite in their body for five to six weeks. That's how long it can reportedly survive in a human. Though someone with hookworms may present symptoms, these do often go away on their own. However, antiparasitic treatments can help to speed things along and lessen said symptoms.

If you wish to avoid catching hookworms, simply take the same precautionary steps as roundworms. Be sure to worm your pets regularly and make sure to wash regularly when coming into contact with sand or soil. When you're on the beach, footwear of some description may be the better option rather than being barefoot on the sand.

Tapeworms can happen if your pet swallows infected fleas

Something you've always got to look out for with certain pets is fleas. Many animals are bound to pick these up from time to time, and if you don't do something about it, it could affect both their health and yours. That's because flea larvae can reportedly be infected with tapeworm eggs, which can lead to a lot of unpleasantness.

If a dog or cat grooms itself and eats said larvae, they then become host to tapeworms. Usually, animals won't display much in the way of symptoms, except for perhaps weight loss and scooting along the floor. Should you happen to have contact with your pet's backside in the aftermath, the infection can then pass on to you.

Check your pets for fleas regularly to avoid tapeworms being an issue

Thankfully, the risk of getting a tapeworm from your pet is apparently very low. That's because you would have to swallow the infection, which would mean not washing your hands after handling your cat or dog's back end. However, if someone does get a tapeworm, prescription medication can cause the parasite to dissolve and get rid of any problems.

The best way to prevent this zoonotic disease from being a problem in your home is to check your pets regularly for fleas. If a dog or cat isn't at risk of swallowing the infected larvae, then there should be no possibility of you catching the parasite yourself. Of course, being thorough when cleaning your hands is also worthwhile.

Toxoplasmosis is something you can pick up from your cat's litter box

Cats can make for wonderful pets. Even though they're often more independent than other animals, they can still make loyal and loving companions. However, that doesn't mean they won't bring you harm from time to time. For instance, there's a possibility that you could contract a parasite known as Toxoplasma when handling your cat's litter box.

This will only be an issue if your cat is infected, which apparently happens if your pet eats small creatures that have the parasite themselves. Failing to wash your hands after emptying their litter box is likely to be what leads you to catch the parasite yourself. This will typically result in flu-like symptoms that should disappear in several weeks.

Pregnant women should endeavor to avoid toxoplasmosis at all costs

Flu-like symptoms might not seem like the absolute worst thing in the world. However, you should still take toxoplasmosis very seriously, especially if you are pregnant. Apparently, contracting the parasite when you're expecting can lead your baby to develop congenital disabilities. That's why it's so important to clean your cat's litter box thoroughly every day.

Make sure that you always wash your hands after doing this, as well as after interacting with anywhere that your pet might have done their business. If you do happen to get toxoplasmosis and you don't want to try and tough out the symptoms, a doctor should be able to provide you with certain medications to help you recover.

Cat scratches can transmit bacteria if your pet has fleas

Cats can be quite ferocious creatures at times. Anyone who owns one might have been scratched by their pet at least once or twice in the past. Sometimes, this might not be a bad deal and may simply leave you with a mark that takes a few days to heal. Other times, though, it can lead to infection.

That's especially the case if your cat has fleas and happens to scratch them before they scratch you. If their claws break the skin, there's a chance that they might transfer a bacteria known as Bartonella henselae. This is commonly called cat scratch disease, and it won't leave you feeling too good when you develop symptoms.

Cat scratch disease is preventable with regular flea treatment

People who develop cat scratch disease tend to have to deal with problems like enlarged lymph nodes, fever, and generally feeling unwell. Some cases may not require medical assistance to deal with, but in serious instances, the bacteria may affect your eyes, heart, brain, and other organs. The treatment required to deal with these symptoms can be quite intensive.

Preventing this zoonotic disease might seem harder because it's hard to predict when a cat will scratch you. However, making sure that your pet doesn't have fleas will mean that a surprise scratch shouldn't be anything to worry about. Monthly flea medication should help to deal with this problem, so your cat's claws can be - relatively - danger-free.

Cowpox may be transmitted by pets like cats and rodents

Despite what the name may suggest, cowpox isn't something you only need to worry about if you spend time around farm animals. Instead, it's a problem that nowadays typically stems from felines and rodents, two of the more common creatures people might keep as pets. Direct contact with an infected animal can result in human transmission of the zoonotic disease.

Thankfully, cowpox doesn't seem to be that prevalent of a disease, so you don't need to live in fear of it. However, it's still worth being cautious of this infection, given it can lead a person to develop red blisters on areas like the hands and face. Fever and swollen glands are reportedly also symptoms you might have.

A functioning immune system should be able to deal with cowpox

For anyone that is immunosuppressed, cowpox is definitely something to be concerned about. The disease can reportedly be fatal for people in such a condition, which is why it's worth taking care around cats and rodents. Fortunately, these animals do tend to present symptoms when they're infected, including lesions on various parts of the body.

As it stands, there's no known cure for cowpox. However, for those with a functioning immune system, the body should be able to deal with the infection. It's also possible that you can defend against cowpox if you've been administered the smallpox vaccine. This is apparently thanks to the viruses being relatively similar in nature.

Pasteurellosis can be found in all manner of animals

Pasteurellosis is a zoonotic disease that humans can pick up from animals that are infected with Pasteurella multocida. Apparently, there are quite a few creatures out there that are capable of hosting this bacteria. However, unless you work on a farm and spend a lot of time with livestock, it's dogs, cats, and rodents you want to look out for.

If a human does contract the disease, it's typically going to be because of a bite or scratch from one of these animals. However, it's also possible that a dog or cat might infect a human simply by licking them. Presumably, if a person has an open wound and it's licked by an infected pet, contamination is inevitable.

Pets aren't typically symptomatic when they have pasteurellosis

When someone contracts pasteurellosis, soft tissue infection is likely to develop. However, there is a risk of it progressing into something more serious, including ocular and respiratory infections and meningitis. Typically, though, this only occurs in those with underlying pulmonary disease, so it's not something that the average person needs to be too worried about.

The best way to defend against pasteurellosis is to clean any area that your pets bite, scratch, or lick thoroughly. As cats, dogs, and rodents don't tend to be symptomatic when they have this zoonotic disease, you can't assume you'll be fine because they appear healthy. Should you get infected with the bacteria, a trip to the doctor is worthwhile.

All manner of pet reptiles can have the bacteria for salmonellosis

Reptiles can make great pets for those who want something more out of the box or who aren't allowed to have cats or dogs in their home. However, if you do decide to look after a snake or a lizard, it's important to remember that these can make you ill too. Salmonellosis is the main problem to look out for.

When you think of salmonella, your mind probably goes to raw chicken. However, there are ways to catch this disease other than consuming uncooked poultry. Apparently, it's quite common for all manner of reptiles to harbor this bacteria. So, taking precautions when you handle a snake, iguana, turtle, or similar creature is essential for your health.

Cleanliness is essential when it comes to avoiding salmonellosis

Catching salmonellosis from reptiles is not particularly pleasant. Symptoms include an upset stomach, cramps, and fever that go on for roughly a week. This is why you need to wash your hands thoroughly whenever you handle a pet reptile, especially as you can't tell when an animal has it. It seems these creatures get away with not having any symptoms.

Visiting your vet semi-regularly with your reptile is also worthwhile, as they'll be able to tell if the animal has the bacteria or not. You should avoid washing their cage in the kitchen, too, to avoid any potential contamination with your food. Finally, ensure all vegetables you feed to your reptile are washed properly to reduce the risk of salmonellosis.

Parrot fever can be passed on from birds in the parrot family

The name of this zoonotic disease is a pretty big giveaway to which pets you have to be careful around. The bacteria Chlamydophila psittaci can lead to psittacosis, usually referred to as parrot fever. Animals like macaws, parakeets, cockatiels, and parrots, which are all part of the parrot family, can transmit the bacteria to humans.

How does a person get parrot fever from their pet bird? Well, it's generally by inhaling dried droppings from animals that carry the bacteria. Unfortunately, as symptoms don't tend to present themselves in the bird, it can sometimes be hard to know whether you're at risk or not. That can make catching the zoonotic disease all the more frustrating.

Take great care when cleaning your bird's cage to avoid infection

If you start to get a fever, chills, dry cough, and muscle aches, and you own a pet bird, it's possible that you've developed parrot fever. Luckily, doctors have several medications that can tend to the disease, so your symptoms shouldn't be debilitating for too long. Of course, it's best to try and avoid catching it in the first place.

An excellent way to keep yourself safe is to take care when you clean the cage of your bird. You don't want to stir up any debris that you might breathe in and consequently get infected by. Make sure the surrounding area is well-ventilated, too, before setting about this task. It may even be worth wearing masks and gloves.

Avian tuberculosis may affect those who are immunocompromised

Parrot fever isn't the only thing to be aware of if you have pet birds. A zoonotic disease that could put your health at risk is avian tuberculosis, which a human may contract through airborne particles. Again, this is something that your pet may be asymptomatic for, so you might not know they have it until it's too late.

This disease generally acts like tuberculosis normally does, attacking the lungs and causing symptoms like loss of appetite, a high temperature, a recurring cough, and general exhaustion. Thankfully, it's not something most pet owners need to be too troubled about unless they're immunocompromised. Apparently, cases of avian tuberculosis in those with functioning immune systems are very rare.

Avian tuberculosis is reportedly often resistant to treatment

Of course, just because avian tuberculosis is on the rarer side, that doesn't mean it's something you should just forget about. As it's not the traditional form of tuberculosis that people typically get, the infection can apparently be quite difficult to treat. According to a research director at North Shore University Hospital, it's “often resistant to antibiotics.”

Given that you're much better off avoiding avian tuberculosis completely, we'd advise washing your hands regularly. We'd also recommend that you don't buy any birds that aren't registered, given these animals are more likely to carry the disease. The illegal bird trade is apparently quite prominent, and it's absolutely worth steering clear of for your health.

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis is a virus to look out for with hamsters

Hamsters are an animal that many people consider to be excellent starter pets. Plenty of parents will let their children have one when they're growing up to teach them how to look after another living being. Of course, while they're easy to care for and fun to watch, they can also transmit diseases if you're not careful.

The most common zoonotic disease that these rodents are responsible for is lymphocytic choriomeningitis. This virus tends to stem from their waste matter, which is why it's always necessary to take care when handling your hamster or the inside of its cage. Otherwise, you could end up with various flu-like symptoms that will take you out for several days.

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis could lead to encephalitis or birth defects

While flu-like symptoms are apparently the most common issue you'll have to deal with if you get lymphocytic choriomeningitis, you could end up with far worse problems. In some severe cases, a person with this virus may develop encephalitis. Meanwhile, pregnant women may see the zoonotic disease affect their unborn baby with congenital disabilities or diminished mental ability.

So, how can you stop this from happening? As with pretty much any zoonotic disease, cleanliness is essential. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after picking up your hamster or cleaning their cage. Gloves may be worthwhile when doing the latter, just to be on the safe side. That way, you keep yourself and your family from harm.

Aquarium granuloma can be picked up from cleaning out fish tanks

Another relatively easy pet to look after is fish. After all, the only thing you really need to worry about with these creatures is feeding them and keeping their tank clean. Of course, you should take great care when doing the latter, as this is where you'll be at risk of picking up aquarium granuloma.

It's an infection that people can get from various water sources, including inadequately chlorinated swimming pools. Any aquatic systems that tend to have a high density of fish are usually more susceptible to containing the bacteria that cause aquarium granuloma. So, if you have quite a few fish all living together at home, you could be more at risk.

Aquarium granuloma can take months to treat if it's not prevented

As aquarium granuloma is rare and nonspecific, it doesn't tend to be the first thing that someone is diagnosed with when they have it. Unfortunately, that means that it can take a while for this zoonotic disease - which features inflamed bumps and itchy skin lesions - to be treated. Apparently, it can consequently take half a dozen medications to treat.

Given that it can be months before someone with aquarium granuloma is fully treated and healed, prevention is of the utmost importance. You can achieve this by wearing waterproof gloves while cleaning your fish tank and washing your arms and hands thoroughly afterward. Moreover, be careful if you handle any fish with sharp spines that could cut you.

Domestic dogs in the US could potentially be infected with rabies

The zoonotic disease that people are probably most familiar with is rabies. Although it's present in many parts of the world, it's not all that common in a lot of places. What's more, the animals that may be responsible for transmitting it seem to differ from one country to another. For instance, only bats reportedly have it in the UK.

It's also present in bats in the US, but it can be transmitted from raccoons, skunks, foxes, and even some domestic pets, too. Though very rare, dozens of dogs reportedly get infected every year, and they can transfer the disease to humans through the bite. Sady, surviving rabies is rare if you don't get shots before symptoms develop.

Rabies might be fatal, but it is still highly preventable

According to the CDC, a person with rabies may experience flu-like symptoms, such as weakness, fever, and headaches. This can then develop into more serious issues like anxiety, confusion, delirium, hallucinations, and hydrophobia. So few people have survived rabies after displaying these symptoms, which means any treatment you receive will simply ease your symptoms during your final days.

Thankfully, as terrifying as that is, catching this disease is incredibly rare nowadays. Most dogs are vaccinated against rabies, which is why there are only so many cases every year. If you are bitten and don't know the rabies status of the animal that attacked you, a series of rabies shots should stop the infection from affecting you.

Leptospirosis tends to be brought into the home on dogs' paws

Some animals transmit certain diseases through scratches and bites, while others do it with their waste. Leptospirosis is apparently another zoonotic disease that can affect humans via the latter, with dogs, mice, and rats all capable of passing it on. It reportedly tends to happen if a dog runs through infected passings outside and then brings it inside.

As the Leptospira bacteria can reportedly survive in soil or water for months, it's something that can pose a risk for a long time. Unfortunately, it's not like you can stop your dog from running around outside just because there's a chance they might pick up the bacteria. That's why it's so important to get your pet vaccinated.

Vaccinating your pet should stop leptospirosis from being an issue

Apparently, leptospirosis is something that you can defend against simply by making sure your pet's vaccinations are up to date. If there's no risk of your dog contracting it, you ensure your own safety because they shouldn't be able to pass it on. Trying to keep rodents away from your property should also help with this.

It's definitely worth trying to prevent leptospira wherever possible, given the harm that it can do. Along with potentially having fever, chills, and vomiting, you could also develop a rash that may cause kidney failure. Luckily, this zoonotic disease is treatable as long as you take the right antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor when you seek help.

Q Fever could be transmitted by cats after several routes of infection

Another zoonotic disease you should know about if you own a cat is Q fever. This is caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetii and tends to affect farm animals, as well as felines. The latter usually become infected with this disease in several ways, including through the inhalation or ingestion of organisms from contaminated carcasses.

Another potential risk factor for these pets is tick bites, which can be problematic for several reasons. This might pass on to humans through breathing in dust that's been contaminated by waste products from an infected animal. Some people are lucky enough to avoid falling ill when this happens, while others may prove to be symptomatic.

Q Fever is another zoonotic disease that's especially problematic for pregnant women

According to the CDC, roughly half of the people who develop Q Fever will actually fall sick with it. Several weeks after being exposed to the bacteria, they may have various pains, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and more. It's also possible that the symptoms could develop into something more severe, such as pneumonia or hepatitis.

This zoonotic disease is particularly problematic for pregnant women, who may suffer a miscarriage or stillbirth as a result of it. Some of the ways you can avoid catching Q Fever include avoiding raw milk and related products, as well as steering clear of animals that might have the disease. Unfortunately, no vaccine for this disease exists in the US.

Campylobacteriosis could potentially be transferred to anyone who raises chickens

Chickens might not seem like the most conventional pet. However, there are people who prefer these animals over something like cats or dogs. Of course, you have to be careful if you do choose to raise these birds. While they might be an excellent source of eggs, they can apparently transmit unpleasant diseases like campylobacteriosis.

The bacteria for this zoonotic disease tend to live inside the intestines of healthy birds. As a result, there's a good chance that you might develop campylobacteriosis from raising chickens, especially if you can't see that there's anything wrong with them. Unpasteurized milk, undercooked poultry, and untreated water can also lead a person to pick up this bacteria.

Campylobacter bacteria tends to be one of the biggest causes of upset stomachs

Supposedly, the bacteria responsible for campylobacteriosis is one of the leading causes of digestive issues in the US. Of course, most people probably aren't picking up the disease from raising chickens. Nevertheless, such people probably do constitute a portion of those affected every year, with their symptoms including abdominal pain and cramps, fever, and vomiting alongside stomach upset.

It reportedly takes about half a week for most people to display symptoms after exposure, with these then lasting for around a week on average. Thankfully, though, it could be possible to shorten the length of the sickness with antibiotic treatment. You could also avoid it entirely by washing your hands immediately after handling chickens.

Evidence shows dogs can potentially carry the human strain of norovirus

We don't have all the answers when it comes to what diseases animals might be able to pass on to humans. There could be some illnesses we don't yet realize may come from our pets because there simply isn't enough evidence to prove this. For instance, it's only relatively recently that we've suspected norovirus may be a zoonotic disease.

One research study in Finland found that dogs were capable of carrying human strains of norovirus, which they could then consequently give to humans. There were only a handful of dogs that showed evidence of this, but that's enough to mean that people could potentially catch norovirus from their pets. Unfortunately, it's not something anyone really wants from their dog.

Preventing norovirus from dogs is difficult due to the lack of research

Norovirus can be one of the more fast-acting diseases on this list, with symptoms potentially appearing within just 12 hours of exposure. Most people will experience things like stomach upset, vomiting, and cramps, although less common symptoms are also possible. These are things like fever, chills, and aches all over the body that will leave you feeling very rundown.

Given that not as much is known about the transmission of norovirus to humans from dogs, it's hard to give any specific measures to prevent against it. All we can advise is to do what you'd normally do if you wanted to avoid being infected by another human. Simply take care of your hygiene and wash your hands thoroughly.

Blastomycosis may be prevalent in moist environments away from direct sunlight

All good dog owners make sure that their pet goes out for a walk regularly to ensure they get their fill of exercise. Unfortunately, while this might be great for their health, it could potentially cause some trouble for you. That's because these animals are more likely to be exposed to various diseases while out and about.

Blastomycosis, for instance, is something that a dog may pick up from soil or decaying wood that they encounter on a walk. If you go anywhere that offers a moist environment - somewhere the soil tends to be wet and without much direct sunlight - your dog may well contract the fungal infection. This usually happens by inhaling fungal spores.

Transmission of blastomycosis between animals and humans is apparently rare

Blastomycosis is a zoonotic disease that does tend to be symptomatic in dogs. If your pet pooch appears to have less of an appetite, eye inflammation, or fever, this infection may be to blame. Cats can also apparently get it too, with their symptoms typically being skin lesions and trouble breathing. As for humans, flu-like symptoms are normal.

While this is a zoonotic disease, transference between animals and humans is very rare. If it does happen, it's usually only when an open wound on your body comes into contact with one of theirs. However, it is also apparently possible to catch it if discharge from their wound ends up in your eye. So, just avoid those two things.

Valley Fever doesn't tend to show symptoms in a lot of cases

Fungal infections are seemingly something you definitely need to look out for when it comes to your dogs. Another thing they could pick up is coccidioidomycosis, which is more commonly known as Valley Fever. It's caused by Coccidioides fungi that tend to be prevalent in the southwest US, as well as parts of Central and South America.

If your dog does get infected with Valley Fever, it's not always easy to tell. Often the symptoms will be mild and vague, with the illness usually being diagnosed as something else. It's apparently a similar situation in humans. Healthy people don't tend to show any signs they've caught it; only those with compromised immune systems are usually vulnerable.

There are few cases of Valley Fever as a zoonotic disease

For those humans who do catch Valley Fever and display symptoms, common things to look out for include respiratory disease, rashes, joint pain, and possibly even infection throughout the body. Moreover, it's worth noting that while people can get this disease from dogs, such transmission is rare. It has almost never happened before, but there are some past cases.

If someone does catch Valley Fever from a dog, it will probably be through a bite. One veterinary technician reportedly caught the disease this way, although it's unclear how likely infection is to happen through this method. Nevertheless, if you are bitten by an animal, it's always good to seek medical advice to ensure you haven't caught anything.