Pet Safety

Diseases spread by household pets

Be sure to get your pet from a trusted source and that your pet matches the needs of your family.  Some pets can carry more disease than others and are best not in homes with young children (under 5), adults over 65, and those who are immunocompromised (examples include amphibians, reptiles, rodents, and poultry).

Keeping your pet healthy is one of the best ways to prevent illness.  Make sure your pet is up-to-date with vaccinations.  In Ontario, all dogs, cats and ferrets over three months of age, are legally required to be vaccinated against rabies.  Try to avoid contact between your pet and other animals that may carry disease or are sick.

Be sure to clean up after your pet and wash your hands after touching food bowls, cages, waste, etc.  Don't let your pet lick any open wounds.  Try not to let your pet lick your face immediately after they eat.

Some diseases are carried by animals but they do not show any signs that they are sick.  Common diseases spread by:

• Cats and dogs: Campylobacter, Cat Scratch Disease (bartonella), Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Rabies, Ringworm, Roundworms and Toxoplasmosis.
• Birds: Campylobacter, Giardia, Ringworm, Salmonella, Psittacosis and Avian Influenza.
• Ferrets:  Rabies, Campylobacter, Ringworm and Salmonella.
• Rabbits:  Rabies, Ringworm and Salmonella.
• Rodents: Campylobacter, Giardia, Rabies, Ringworm, Salmonella and Hantavirus.
• Reptiles and amphibians:  Cryptosporidium, Giardia and Salmonella.

For more information please visit:

• Caring for Kids - Healthy pets, healthy people: How to avoid the diseases that pets can spread to people
• Healthy Animals, Healthy People Poster
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention - How to stay healthy around pets
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention - Stay Healthy Around Animals Coloring Book

Ticks and your pet 

Be sure to check your pet after spending time outside especially if in long grass or wooded areas.  Pets can get tick borne illnesses too and they can bring ticks into your home.

Be sure to remove any ticks you find on your pet using tweezers or a tick key.  Ticks can fall off your pet and bite you.

For more information about Preventing Ticks on pets or where to check your pet for ticks, please visit:

• Preventing Ticks on Pets ι Ticks ι CDC
• Poster: Protect your pets from ticks and Lyme Disease - Canada.ca

Raw pet foods

Raw pet foods can make pets and people sick

Germs like Salmonella and Listeria bacteria have been found in raw pet foods, even packaged ones sold in stores.  These germs can make your pets sick and can also make your family sick by handling the raw food or when taking care of your pet.

If you decide to feed your pet raw food

• Wash your hands with soap and water right after handling any raw pet food.
• Clean and disinfect all surfaces that the raw food touched, like countertops, microwaves, refrigerators and objects like knives, forks, and bowls.

Safely store and handle raw pet food

• Freeze raw pet food until you are ready to use it.
• Keep raw pet food away from other food in your refrigerator or freezer.
• Don't thaw frozen raw pet foods on a countertop or in a sink.
• Throw away any food your pet doesn't eat.

Safely play with your pet after he or she eats

• Don't let your pet lick around your mouth and face after eating.
• If you do play with your pet after they have just eaten, wash your hands, and any other parts of your body they licked, with soap and water.
• Don't let your pet lick any of your open wounds or areas with broken skin.

For more information:

• Raw pet food safety - Canada.ca
• Centre for Disease Control and Prevention - Raw Pet Food Safety

Pet treats, dry and canned pet food

It is important to feed your pet a balanced diet, and foods such as kibble and canned pet food are cooked at a high temperature to help kill germs.  You can help protect yourself and your pet by following instructions on the label, watch for recalls and clean food and water bowls frequently.  Sometimes pet food can be contaminated with germs.

• Always wash your hands right after handling pet food or treats; this is the most important step to prevent illness.
• When possible, store pet food and treats away from where human food is stored or prepared and away from reach of young children.
• Always follow any storage instructions on pet food bags or containers.

Reptiles and amphibians 

Safely feeding frozen or live rodents to your reptile or amphibian.

• Always wash your hands after handling frozen or live feeder rodents.
• Thaw frozen feeder rodents in a dedicated container out of the kitchen.
• Never feed wild rodents to your pet. 

References

• Public Health Notice: Outbreak of extensively drug-resistant Salmonella infections linked to raw pet food and contact with cattle - Canada.ca
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: About Pet Food Safety.
• Public Health Agency of Canada: Pet food and treats
• Public Health Agency of Canada: Video. Anne-Marie: Pet detective