Those who share their home with their pets want to observe them, play with them, or cuddle them. And the responsibilities likewise want to be taken seriously: like cleaning the cage, the terrarium, the cat toilet or their pet’s favourite lounging area. All this brings pet owners in contact with potential pathogens which can trigger an infectious disease. But in fact the risk of infection with people and animals can be kept low. The experts from the Fressnapf specialist retail chain tell you how it's done.

There are around 200 known Infectious diseases which can be transmitted from animals to humans or vice versa. These are called "zoonoses", from the Greek zoon = life form and nosos = illness. In theory, all house pets – from dogs, cats, hamsters and birds to fish and reptiles – are carriers of such pathogens. The probability of a healthy person becoming infected by a pet which is well looked after, healthy and symptom-free is, however, very low with normal contact. There are various groups of pathogens which can respectively give rise to different illnesses.


Viruses: These, for instance, are responsible for rabies or cat pox. Through the rabies vaccination for dogs and cats, the risk of an infection is now minimal and the cat pox virus causes mainly just localised complaints.

Bacteria: Examples of these include salmonella (frequently found in reptile excretions), campylobacter (dogs and cats), chlamydia (mostly with birds) and bartonella (with cats). Humans infect themselves through contact with droppings or urine, inhalation of contaminated dust particles or from a bite as well as injuries, depending on the pathogen.

Parasites: These are single cells or worms which can mostly be transmitted to humans from a dog or cat. Toxoplasmosis, emanating from cats, can be dangerous for an expectant mother and her unborn child. Pregnant cat owners, therefore, should seek advice from their family doctor.

Fungi: These are transmitted via skin contact. Microsporosis (from dogs or cats) and Trichophytosis (also from small mammals and rodents), for example, are well-known.

In order to minimise the risk of infection you should, for one thing, make sure your pet is healthy and stays that way and, for another, bear in mind certain aspects of hygiene.

The most important tips:

• Vaccinate your pet regularly as recommended.


• Deworm your pet regularly and remove or combat parasites such as fleas, mites or ticks.


• Go to your vet when your pet is sick or wounded.


• Provide for clean feeding, drinking, sleeping and rest places as well as cages.


• Always wash your hands thoroughly after stroking your pet, cleaning the cage, terrarium or aquarium or touching reptiles, for instance.


• Don't bring orphaned animals home with you from abroad!


• People with weakened immune systems should get advice from their local GP.


Should the symptoms of an illness appear after a bite or abnormal contact with an animal, say, on holiday abroad, tell your doctor about the incident. The first complaints can occur just as easily on the first day as they can weeks after the pathogen attack. The more your doctor knows, the sooner he will be able to diagnose or eliminate zoonosis.

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Don’t be afraid of the wee animals! Whoever looks after the health of their pet and pays due consideration to hygiene measures need have no fear of pathogens or parasites being transmitted from them. Photo: Fressnapf /Ulrike Schanz (Photos may only be reproduced with permission and in connection with editorial text. High-resolution photos can be requested from the Fressnapf press office.)

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