The news that sleeping with your pet may not be the best idea surprises most people. After all, didn’t you get your furry friend for company in the first place?
However, if your health is concerned, think twice before allowing your pet to join you in bed. Your adorable pet dog or cat may be bringing along more than just warmth and love; they likely contain some bacteria, bugs, and germs. Here are some potential dangers you run the risk of if you allow your pet to sleep in your bed at night.
Yep, you read that right. Although the bubonic plague is no longer sweeping through Europe, it is still present and can be contracted from a pet. In actuality, 23 confirmed human cases of the bubonic plague between 1977 and 1998 were linked to household cats. And it’s not just cats that put us in danger. Dogs can carry fleas that are plague-infected without displaying any symptoms of the illness themselves.
According to the CDC, parasites are common in dogs and cats, most commonly roundworms and hookworms (although there are many other equally nasty offenders out there, too). The majority of the time, these parasites lay their eggs in the hair of your pet, where they can easily be shed onto your sheets. Who would want to sleep next to eggs that were about to hatch?
Infections brought on by the staphylococcus bacteria, such as the well-known antibiotic-resistant MRSA, can be transmitted from humans to their pets.
According to WebMD, the entire rumor about your pets’ mouths being exceptionally clean is nothing more than a urban legend. In fact, dogs, cats, and other carnivorous animals’ mouths are full of bacteria-filled saliva that can cause meningitis and pasteurellosis in humans, among other severe illnesses.
Cat Scratch Fever is more than just a Ted Nugent song. It’s a real disease spread by cats, who frequently exhibit no symptoms of infection. According to WebMD, you’re more likely to contract it if your cat sleeps in your bed because it’s most frequently spread to humans through cat bites, scratches, and licks.
It’s time to face the facts. If your dog is typical, it either plays with, steps in, or eats (yuck!) poop. Additionally, when your dog enters your home and your bed, it carries the poop with it. This is not only disgusting, but it’s also a simple way to spread bacteria and parasites like E coli and salmonella. Veterinarian Dr. When your dog enters the house, Carol Osborne advises spritzing its feet with a 50/50 solution of rubbing alcohol and water to help clean and disinfect its paws.
If your dog has a tick in its fur and comes to bed with you, the tick may latch onto you instead of your dog, even though you are aware that you can get ticks from walks in the woods. Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and anaplasmosis are a few of the more well-known contagious diseases carried by ticks, according to Osborne. In the Great Lakes Regions, where they are endemic, ticks are particularly prevalent. ”.
These tiny bugs are not enjoyable for humans or dogs, and if you share a bed, you may contract them. The mange mite, which causes human scabies and is very contagious to people, is the most prevalent, according to Osborne.
You sleep with a dog, you get fleas. This is something we’ve all heard before, and I mean it literally right now. A flea-infested bed was probably once every pet owner’s worst nightmare. Seems kind of like small stuff now, doesn’t it?.
Do dogs care if they are dirty?
As a dog owner, you’ve probably wondered how frequently you ought to wash your pet, regardless of whether your dog enjoys his weekly bath or shudders at the sight of water. Generally speaking, healthy dogs should only be bathed if they smell. Unless the dog is filthy, there is no particular reason to bathe them, according to Dr. Hilton.
The Cleanest Dog Breeds You Can Own
Is owning a dog bad for your health?
A study of 3. In a 12-year study involving 4 million people between the ages of 40 and 80, it was discovered that owning a dog was linked to a 23% decrease in heart disease deaths and a 20% lower risk of dying from any cause.
Is it dirty to have a dog in the house?
Homes with dogs have more bacteria overall and more different types of bacteria than homes without dogs, according to research from North Carolina State University published on Wednesday in the journal PLoS ONE. Despite all the germs brought in by muddy paws, dog-free homes aren’t necessarily healthier.
FAQ
Is it healthy to have dogs inside the house?
Dogs Indoor FAQ Keeping a dog inside your home is absolutely healthy The exception to this, of course, is if you are allergic to dogs, as having a dog can actually improve your physical and mental health.
Does dog hair cause health problems?
Asthma. If you have asthma, you may have noticed that having a pet can cause an attack. Dander (animal protein) carried by pet hair is frequently what irritates people. Additionally, it can gather elements like dust mites, pollen, and mold, which are additional typical asthma triggers.
Is dog’s Breath harmful to humans?
Analysis revealed a significant relationship (P 0) between the frequency of halitosis and frequent contact with animals at the time. 001) or in childhood (P < 0. 001). Dogs and cats that were owned as children or are now may spread the bacteria that causes halitosis.
What are the disadvantages of having a dog at home?
- Financial burden. Prior to making a loving addition to your family, it’s crucial to think about the investment’s price.
- Loss of spontaneity. Maybe you’re used to living a life where you can come and go whenever you want.
- Decreased cleanliness and order in your home.