When you take your dog for a stroll, have you ever thought about the germs that might be clinging to their paws? Whether they’re walking on a city sidewalk, open field, or hiking trail, it’s natural to wonder about the potential health risks. In my own city, I cringe when I see my dog doing his business on patches of dirt and grass, knowing that many other dogs have used that same area as a bathroom. But could these germs make us sick when our dogs bring them into our homes?
According to Dr. Jane Sykes, a professor of small animal internal medicine at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, dogs, including their coats, mouths, and paws, are covered in bacteria. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that they are a danger to us. Here’s what you need to know:
The germs on your dog’s paws are unlikely to make you sick. It would require a very resilient and significant amount of bacteria to cause human illness. While it’s not impossible, the benefits of spending time outdoors with your dog outweigh the small risks of getting sick from what may be on their paws.
Dr. Sykes says, “If you’re just going for a walk in an urban area and you don’t see any obvious contamination with fecal matter, then it’s probably okay to do nothing because you have the same bacteria on your shoes as your dog has on its paws.” The specific types of germs your dog’s paws pick up depend on where you live, your lifestyle, and the pathogens present in your area. For example, dogs in cities will encounter different germs than those in rural areas or farmlands, which will differ from what attaches to your dog’s fur when they swim in lakes and ponds.
Most viruses that your dog encounters outdoors do not survive well in the environment and are unlikely to be infectious by the time they reach the indoors. As Dr. Sykes explains, “They’re just not infectious anymore.” While dogs do carry bacteria into the home, the majority of these germs are not pathogenic and do not cause illness in humans or animals.
Moreover, your dog’s paws are unlikely to pick up enough pathogens to cause disease. As your dog continues walking, many organisms will fall off their paws before you return home. Even if your dog steps in a pile of feces, any bacteria they encounter will likely be lost with each subsequent step.
However, it is possible for your dog to track something into your home that could make you sick. Any contact with another animal’s feces poses some risk of exposure to organisms. This is particularly true in farmlands or rural areas where cows or birds carry bacteria and parasites that can be pathogenic to humans. Dogs can also pick up bacteria from swimming in lakes and ponds, which can cause infections in people.
Certain fungal threats, such as histoplasmosis, blastomyces, coccidioidomycosis, and cryptococcosis, reside in soil and dirt in specific parts of the country. If your dog brings a lot of dirt into your home, they may carry some of these organisms. While inhaling them can lead to infections, it’s uncommon for people to get seriously ill. Parasitic infections from dogs are also rare but more prevalent in warm and humid environments. One example is Giardia, which can be spread through contaminated feces. It is theoretically possible to contract Giardia from your dog if you don’t wash your hands before eating.
In addition to bacteria and parasites, there are other potential threats such as fleas, ticks, and worms. However, if your dog is on preventative medication, these risks are significantly reduced.
To prevent your dog from bringing germs into your home, there are a few steps you can take. Avoiding contact with other dogs’ feces is essential, especially if it appears to be diarrhea, as it may indicate that the dog is sick. Certain dogs that consume raw meat diets are at a higher risk of contracting and spreading bacteria like salmonella and listeria through their feces. These germs can be transferred to other dogs and potentially to humans. However, it’s unlikely that the bacteria would stay on your dog’s paws for long.
It’s unnecessary to keep your dog excessively clean. Exposure to various germs in the environment can actually be beneficial and strengthen our immune system. As Dr. Jacob explains, “The more we get exposed, we sort of prime our immune system” to respond to harmful bacteria. Furthermore, the benefits of the human-dog relationship outweigh the risks of being exposed to harmful germs on your pet’s paws or coat. Dogs bring us joy, reduce stress levels, encourage exercise, and contribute to our overall well-being.
When venturing out with your dog, assess your surroundings to determine the level of risk. Walking in your neighborhood is generally low-risk, but if your dog has been in a cow pasture or a creek, it may be worth checking for ticks, giving them a bath, or wiping their paws to remove any potential pathogens. Washing your hands before eating can also reduce the risk of illness.
In conclusion, the chances of your dog coming into contact with a germ that would make you sick are minimal. So go ahead and enjoy hikes, explore the city, or take your dog to the farm. Just keep an eye on them, and if you feel the area is risky, take measures to clean them quickly. It can’t hurt!
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