Is your dog making you sick?

by Audrey Harvey, DVM

Video: Can sleeping with your pets make you sick?

Your dog gives you companionship, affection and loyalty. Unfortunately, he can also give you disease. There are quite a few illnesses that can be spread from dogs to humans, and some of them are quite serious. Let’s look at the more common ones.

Doggie Diseases You Don’t Want

1. Fleas. These little biting parasites don’t mind if they drink human blood or dog blood. If your dog has a large flea population, you’ll start to find red itchy flea bites on your skin too. Keep the fleas under control by regularly using Flea the Scene. This easy to use spray contains all natural ingredients that are totally safe for your dog, but deadly to fleas.

2. Worms. Roundworm and hookworm can cause serious harm to people, as the larvae migrate under our skin, and through our internal organs. The flea tapeworm, Dipylidium, can also infect us, and cause severe itching around our bottom. It is imperative that dog owners worm their dogs regularly, and wash their hands after they’ve cuddled their canine family member. You can also help to control Dipylidium by keeping fleas under control, as described above.

Video: Can Your Pet Make You Sick?

3. Ringworm. This infection isn’t actually a worm, but a fungus that lives in your dog’s hair follicles. It’s easily spread to people, either by direct contact or by touching your dog’s brushes or bedding. As part of his treatment for ringworm, wash him gently with Comfy Dog oatmeal shampoo. Its herbal ingredients soothe skin itch and inflammation, and the antimicrobial effect of Calendula extract can help to eliminate the fungal infection.

4. Gastrointestinal disease. Dogs can spread infections such as campylobacter and giardia to people, which both result in an upset stomach and diarrhea. The best way to avoid these illnesses is to maintain basic hygiene, and wash your hands frequently with soap after handling your dog. Keep a bottle of Dry Dog Instant Clean by your front door and clean your dog’s feet before he comes inside. That way he won’t track in toxins and infectious agents into your home, and you are less likely to become unwell.

When Your Dog Makes You Itch

Although allergies can’t be spread from dogs to humans, our canine companions can be responsible for annoying allergy symptoms in people. If you are sensitive to dogs, a cuddle with your best friend often results in sneezing, runny eyes and itchy skin.

An important part of controlling your allergic symptoms is reducing the amount of loose dog hair and dander that you are exposed to. This means you need to regularly vacuum your carpets, and wash your dog’s bedding.

Bathe your dog regularly to remove excess hair and skin cells. It’s important to use a gentle shampoo so you don’t dry out his coat, and start him scratching too. Bubbles ‘n Beads is the perfect choice to gently clean his coat and remove hair and skin scurf. This shampoo with built in conditioning beads is gentle enough to use regularly, and will leave your dog’s coat soft and luxurious.

Owning a dog needn’t be a health hazard. Take sensible precautions, and use the right products to keep your dog hale and hearty, and at the same time look after your own well being.

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