In recent decades, our relationship with pets has undergone significant changes. The number of pet owners has reached an all-time high, with a recent survey revealing that 69% of Australian households have at least one pet. The amount of money we spend on our beloved fur babies totals an estimated A$33 billion each year. While owning a pet has been shown to have numerous mental and physical health benefits, it’s important to recognize that our pets can also carry infectious diseases that can potentially be transmitted to us. Although the risk for most people is low, individuals such as pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk of getting sick from exposure to animals. Therefore, it’s crucial to be aware of the risks and take the necessary precautions to prevent infections.
Zoonotic diseases, which are infectious diseases that move from animals to humans, are a significant concern. More than 70 pathogens found in companion animals are known to be transmissible to people. In some cases, a pet carrying a zoonotic pathogen may display obvious signs of illness. However, often there are no visible symptoms, making it easier for you to contract the infection as you may not suspect that your pet is harboring germs. Zoonotic diseases can be transmitted directly from pets to humans through contact with saliva, bodily fluids, and feces, or indirectly through contact with contaminated bedding, soil, food, or water.
Although studies suggest that the prevalence of pet-associated zoonoses is low, the actual number of infections is likely underestimated. This is because many zoonoses are not classified as “notifiable” and may have a variety of exposure pathways and generic symptoms. It’s worth noting that even seemingly harmless actions like kissing pets can occasionally lead to zoonotic infections in owners. Therefore, it’s important to exercise caution.
Dogs and cats are major reservoirs of zoonotic infections caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. In regions such as Africa and Asia, dogs are the main carriers of rabies, which is transmitted through saliva. Dogs also commonly carry Capnocytophaga bacteria in their mouths and saliva, which can be transmitted to humans through close contact or bites. While the majority of people won’t fall ill, these bacteria can occasionally cause severe infections in individuals with weakened immune systems, sometimes resulting in death. Just recently, a death related to such an infection was reported in Western Australia.
Cats can also spread various illnesses through fecal-oral routes, such as giardiasis, campylobacteriosis, salmonellosis, and toxoplasmosis. As a result, it’s essential to wash your hands or use gloves whenever handling your cat’s litter box. Cats can also transmit infections through bites and scratches, including cat scratch disease caused by the bacterium Bartonella henselae. Both dogs and cats can also be reservoirs for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and close contact with pets is considered an important risk factor for zoonotic transmission.
It’s not just dogs and cats that can transmit diseases to humans. Pet birds can occasionally transmit psittacosis, a bacterial infection that can cause pneumonia. Contact with pet turtles has been linked to Salmonella infections in humans, particularly in young children. Pet fish have also been associated with bacterial infections in humans, including vibriosis, mycobacteriosis, and salmonellosis.
Certain behaviors, like allowing pets to lick your face or share your bed, increase the risk of zoonotic transmission. A study in the Netherlands found that 50% of pet owners allowed their pets to lick their faces, while 18% allowed dogs to share their beds. Allowing pets to sleep with you increases the duration of exposure to potential pathogens carried by pets. The same study revealed that 45% of cat owners allowed their cats to jump onto kitchen sinks.
Even though anyone who comes into contact with a zoonotic pathogen through their pet can potentially become ill, certain individuals are more susceptible to serious illness. This includes the young, old, pregnant women, and immunosuppressed individuals. For instance, while most people infected with the toxoplasmosis parasite will only experience mild illness, it can be life-threatening or cause birth defects in fetuses.
To minimize the risk of pet-associated infections, it’s crucial to practice good hygiene and pet husbandry. This includes washing your hands after playing with your pet, handling their bedding or toys, or cleaning up after them. It’s also important to avoid allowing your pets to lick your face or open wounds. Supervising young children when they interact with pets and ensuring they wash their hands properly after playing with them is vital. When changing litter boxes or cleaning aquariums, it’s recommended to wear gloves. When cleaning bird cages, wetting the surfaces can help minimize the release of potentially infectious aerosols. Keeping pets out of the kitchen, especially cats who can jump onto food preparation surfaces, is essential. Keeping up with preventative veterinary care, such as vaccinations, worm, and tick treatments, is also crucial. If you suspect that your pet is unwell, seek veterinary care. Individuals at higher risk of illness should take extra precautions to minimize exposure to zoonotic pathogens. If you’re considering getting a pet, consult with your veterinarian to determine the best type of animal for your circumstances.
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