Research has shown that cats can provide emotional support, improve moods, and contribute to the overall morale of their owners. Cats are also credited with promoting socialization among older individuals and physically or mentally disabled people. Nearly 40 million households in the United States have pet cats.

Although cats are great companions, cat owners should be aware that sometimes cats can carry harmful germs that can cause a variety of illnesses in people, ranging from minor skin infections to serious illnesses. One of the best ways you can protect yourself from getting sick is to thoroughly wash your hands after handling, cleaning up after, or feeding cats.

By providing your cat with routine veterinary care and following the Healthy People tips, you are less likely to get sick from touching, petting, or owning a cat.

Owning a pet can be rewarding and can even benefit physical and mental health. No wonder nearly 70% of US households own a pet!

But pet ownership comes with a lot of responsibility. Below are some dos and don’ts of pet ownership to help your entire family – human, feathered, furry, or scaly – stay healthy and happy.

Do this…

• Pick the right pet for your family. Different pets have different needs. Make sure you find a pet that fits your family’s lifestyle. Pet reptiles, amphibians, and rodents aren’t recommended for families with young kids, older adults, or people with weakened immune systems because they are more likely to spread germs.
• Teach kids how to interact with pets safely. Teaching kids how to properly interact with pets can help prevent bites, scratches, and other injuries to them and the pet.
• Clean up after your pet. Pet poop can carry parasites and germs and contaminate the environment. Always pick up after your pet in public spaces and in your own yard or house, especially if you have kids.
• Take your pet to the veterinarian. Regular vet visits help keep your pet healthy, but they can also help keep you healthy. Pet vaccinations help prevent some diseases that can spread to people, and prevention for fleas, ticks, and worms keep them away from both you and your pet.

…Not that

• Don’t feed pets raw diets. Raw pet food can spread germs like Salmonella and Listeria to people and pets.
• Don’t let pets roam freely outside. Always supervise pets when they’re outside (or keep them leashed) to keep your pet and other people safe. Unsupervised pets can also harm wildlife or come in contact with wild animals that can spread diseases.
• Don’t encourage pets to play rough. Rough play can lead to bites, scratches, and other injuries.
• Never release an unwanted pet outdoors. Many pets released outdoors will die, some can become invasive species and disrupt ecosystems, and some can hurt native wildlife. Find a new home or give your pet to a reputable rescue organization instead.

Keeping your cat healthy helps to keep you and your family healthy. To learn how to stay healthy around pet cats, visit the Healthy People section.

Before choosing a cat

• Certain types of cat or kitten adoptions, like international pet adoption, may not be suitable for your family because of the risk for disease. This is particularly true if young children, pregnant women, or people with weakened immune systems live in the household.
• Research and learn how to properly care for your cat or kitten before purchase. Ask your veterinarian or pet store staff about the proper food, care, and enclosure or environment that is best for the cat or kitten you are selecting.
• Be aware that cats may shed Toxoplasma, Giardia, hookworms, roundworms and other germs in their poop. Plan to change the litterbox daily and always wash your hands after.

How to choose a cat

• Match a cat’s personality and activity levels with your family, the animals you already have in your household, and the amount of time you have to spend with your pet.
• Pick a cat that is bright, alert, and playful. Cats and kittens should have shiny, soft fur that is free of poop and debris.
• Signs of sickness in a cat include appearing sluggish or depressed, having diarrhea, abnormal breathing, and fluid running from its eyes or nose.
• Make sure to take your new cat or kitten to the veterinarian within a few days to a week after adoption.
• If your cat becomes sick or dies soon after purchase or adoption, take it to the veterinarian promptly, and inform the pet store, breeder, or rescue organization about the pet’s illness or death. Make sure to tell your veterinarian if the pet was adopted from a shelter or from international pet adoption.

How to house your cat

• It is important that you provide a safe, warm, and comfortable environment for your cat to live in. Talk to your veterinarian about creating a safe environment for your cat.
• If you allow your cat outside, provide shelter when it is cold or rainy and shade when it is hot. Your cat should have access to the indoors at night to stay safe from predators.
• Make sure your cat has access to food and fresh water every day.
• Be aware that leaving food outdoors for your cat may attract unwanted wildlife. This wildlife can spread diseases to your cat.
• Each cat in a household should have its own litterbox plus one additional box.

Monitor your cat’s health

• Take your cat to the veterinarian regularly to keep it healthy and prevent infectious diseases.
• Talk to your veterinarian about preventive treatments for fleas, heartworms, ticks, and other parasites.
• Make sure to clean up any urine, poop, or vomit in the house immediately, and disinfect the area after cleaning. Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.
• Contact your veterinarian if you notice any signs of illness in your pet. Keep in mind that even cats that look healthy can spread germs to people and other animals.

Get your cat vaccinated

• Keep your cat up-to-date on routine vaccinations like rabies and feline distemper vaccine.
• Vaccinations can help protect your cat from dangerous diseases and help them live a longer, healthier life.
• Tell your veterinarian about your cat’s lifestyle, including whether it is indoor or outdoor or both and if there are other animals at home or that the cat may come into contact with.
• Ask your veterinarian about other vaccines you may need or want for your cat, like feline leukemia.

Before buying or adopting a pet cat, make sure a cat is the right type of pet for your family. Cats can sometimes carry germs that can make people sick, even when they appear clean and healthy. Visit your veterinarian for routine care to keep your cat healthy and to prevent infectious diseases.

Wash your hands

• Wash your hands with soap and running water:
  • After handling cats, their food and water dishes, or their supplies
  • After contact with cat saliva or poop
  • After cleaning a litter box
  • After gardening, especially if outdoor cats live in the area
  • Before you eat or drink
• Adults should supervise hand washing for children under 5 years of age.
• Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not readily available.
• Wear gloves while gardening, particularly if you know that outdoor cats live in the area.

Safely clean up after your cat

Cats can carry many germs in their poop. To stay healthy, take precautions when cleaning a cat’s litter box.

• Change litter boxes daily.
• Always wash your hands after cleaning the litter box, even if you use a scoop to remove the poop.
• People with weakened immune systems and pregnant women should not clean litter boxes if possible, as they are more at risk for complications from germs spread by cats. If no one else can perform the task, wear disposable gloves and wash your hands afterwards.
• Keep your cat’s litter box away from other animals, children, and food preparation areas.

Prevent cat scratches and bites

Cat bites and scratches can spread germs, even if the wound does not seem deep or serious. For example, cat scratch disease can happen if a scratch only breaks the surface of the skin. We don’t know exactly how many people are bitten or scratched by cats each year because incidents often aren’t reported. However, we do know that about 20-80% of reported cat bites and scratches become infected.

How to prevent cat bites and scratches

• Be cautious with unfamiliar animals. Approach cats with care, even if they seem friendly.
• Avoid rough play with cats and kittens. Rough play causes cats to be defensive toward people.
• Avoid rough play when animals are young. This will lead to fewer scratches and bites as animals become older. Studies have shown cats generally bite when provoked.
• Trim your cat’s nails regularly. If you need help, ask your veterinarian.
• Parents should tell children to let them know if they are ever bitten or scratched by any animal, including cats.

What to do if you are bitten or scratched by a cat

If you are bitten or scratched by a cat, you should:

• Wash wounds with warm soapy water immediately.
• Seek medical attention if:
  • You don’t know if the cat has been vaccinated against rabies.
  • The cat appears sick.
  • The wound is serious.
  • The wound becomes red, painful, warm or swollen.
  • It has been more than 5 years since your last tetanus shot.
• Report the bite to animal control or your local health department if the bite is unprovoked and
  • The cat is a stray, or
  • You are unsure if the cat has been vaccinated against rabies.
• Because of the risk of rabies, ensure that the cat is seen by a veterinarian and contact your local health department if it becomes sick or dies shortly after the bite.

The white, trumpet-shaped Easter lily symbolizes Easter and spring for many people, and is a popular decoration in homes at this time of year.

If you have cats, however, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wants to remind you that these particular flowers, as well as Tiger, Asiatic, Day, and Japanese Show lilies, are a safety threat to your feline friends.

Eating small amounts of plants or grass may be normal for cats. But the entire lily plant (leaf, pollen, and flower) is poisonous to them, according to Melanie McLean, a veterinarian at FDA. Even if they just eat a couple of leaves or lick a few pollen grains off their fur, cats can suffer acute kidney failure within a very short period of time.

McLean says that if your cat has eaten part of a lily, the first thing you’ll see is vomiting soon afterwards. That may gradually lessen over two to four hours. Within 12 to 24 hours, the cat may start to urinate frequently. Then, if kidney failure sets in, the cat will stop urinating because the kidneys stop being able to produce urine. Untreated, she says, a cat will die within four to seven days of eating a lily.

Young cats typically have healthy kidneys, so when a young cat shows signs of acute kidney damage, consumption of a toxic substance is one of the first things veterinarians investigate, McLean says.

Early veterinary treatment is critical. McLean says that even if you just suspect that your cat has eaten a lily, you should call your veterinarian immediately or, if the office is closed, take your cat to an emergency veterinary clinic. The vet may induce vomiting if the cat just ate the lily, and will give the cat intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration and preserve kidney function.

Other lilies, like Calla and Peace lilies, don’t cause fatal kidney failure, but they can irritate your cat’s mouth and esophagus. Lilies of the Valley are toxic to the heart, causing an abnormal heart rhythm. If you think your cat has eaten any type of lily, contact your veterinarian.

Lilies are not a great danger to dogs, McLean says. Dogs may have some gastrointestinal issues if they eat a lily, but nothing considered life-threatening.

Does this mean that you can’t have lilies in your home if you have a cat? Although it’s best not to have them in your home, if you want to enjoy these pretty spring flowers, McLean says to be sure to keep the plant someplace that your high-jumping pet can’t reach.

Giving your pet a nutritious diet is important to keep them healthy. All pets have specific needs that differ by age, physical and mental health, and their activity level. The food and treats you feed your pet may even affect your health – sometimes pet foods and treats contain germs that can make you sick, like Salmonella. Follow these tips when feeding your pet to keep you both happy and healthy.

Make feeding time healthy

• Wash your hands with soap and water immediately after handling pet food or treats.
• Keep pet food separate from human food when possible and out of reach from young kids.
• Use a clean, dedicated scooper for pet food.

Don’t feed raw diets

Raw pet food, just like raw meat that humans cook to eat, is more likely to carry germs like Salmonella and Listeria. These germs can make both people and pets sick. Some pets, like reptiles, only eat feeder rodents. Feeder rodents, whether live or frozen, can also spread germs.

If you choose to feed your pet raw food, or if you are feeding a reptile feeder rodents:

• Wash hands after handling the food.
• Clean and disinfect all surfaces food touched.
• Freeze raw pet food until you are ready to use it.
• Thaw frozen pet foods in your refrigerator away from your food.
• Thaw frozen feeder rodents in a dedicated container out of the kitchen.

Safety around pets during and after feeding

• Teach children not to bother pets when they are eating.
• Don’t let your pet lick around your mouth, face, open wounds, or areas with broken skin after eating.
• Feed reptiles with tongs when using feeder rodents. Don’t handle reptiles after handling rodents to reduce your risk of bites.

Stay healthy around your pet’s poop

Poop is a fact of life when you have a pet. Poop from pets, like dogs and cats, can carry germs like bacteria and parasites that can make people sick. Poop from pets can also contaminate waterways and harm the environment. Practice responsible pet poop habits to keep yourself, your family, and the environment healthy.

Scoop the poop!

• Always pick up dog poop and dispose of it properly.
• Dog poop should be picked up, even in your own yard, and especially in areas where children may play.
• Clean litter boxes daily and change the litter weekly.
• People with weakened immune systems and pregnant women should not clean litter boxes if possible, as they are more at risk for complications from germs spread by cats. If no one else can perform the task, wear disposable gloves and wash your hands afterwards.
• Keep your cat’s litter box away from other animals, children, and food preparation areas.

Practice healthy habits when cleaning up after your pet

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling your pet’s pee, poop, and vomit.
• Don’t put your hands in or around your mouth after petting or playing with animals.
• Litter boxes should be cleaned daily. If you’re pregnant and have a cat, avoid changing the litter box.
• Always supervise young children around pets. Children, especially those 5 years of age and younger, can be at higher risk for pet-related illnesses because they often touch surfaces that may be contaminated, put objects in their mouths, and are less likely to wash their hands.

Let’s face it: we love our pets, but they can be gross sometimes. Animals – even our beloved pets – can spread germs that can make people sick, from parasites to bacteria. Even clean and healthy pets can spread germs.

Odds are that you aren’t washing your hands enough around your pets. Handwashing is the easiest and best way to stay healthy around animals. It’s especially important for young kids, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems to wash hands regularly because they’re more likely to get seriously sick from germs animals can carry.

In a perfect world, you would wash your hands after every time you touch your pet. If you can’t do that, here are the most important times you should wash your hands around pets.

After handling pet food or treats

• Pet food and treats can be contaminated with germs like Salmonella.
• Raw pet food is especially risky. Don’t feed your pets raw pet food or uncooked meat.
• Pet food includes frozen or live rodents for pet reptiles!

After touching pet supplies

• Germs can contaminate pet supplies like cages, tanks, toys, and food and water dishes.
• Pet reptiles, amphibians, hedgehogs, and rodents can spread Salmonella germs in their poop, which can contaminate items in their habitats, including tank water.
• Clean and disinfect your pet’s supplies regularly.

After picking up pet poop

• Parasites, bacteria, and other germs can spread through pet poop.
• Always wash your hands after scooping litterboxes or picking up dog poop, even if you used gloves or a bag.

Worried about the risk of COVID-19 to your pets? We’re still learning about the virus that causes COVID-19, but it appears that it can spread from people to pets and other animals in some situations. The good news is there are steps you can take to protect your pets from possible infection.

What to do if you own pets

Treat pets as you would other human family members to protect them from a possible infection.

• Do not let pets interact with people or other animals outside the household.
• Keep cats indoors when possible.
• Walk dogs on a leash at least 6 feet (2 meters) from other people and animals.
• Avoid dog parks or public places where a large number of people and dogs gather.

Protect pets if you are sick

If you are sick with COVID-19, restrict contact with pets and other animals during your illness, just like you would with people.

• Have another member of your household care for your pets while you are sick.
• Avoid contact with your pet including, petting, snuggling, being kissed or licked, and sharing food or bedding.
• If you must care for your pet or be around animals while you are sick, wear a cloth face covering and wash your hands before and after you interact with them.
• If you are sick with COVID-19 and your pet becomes sick, do not take your pet to the veterinary clinic yourself. Call your veterinarian and let them know you have been sick with COVID-19.

Thanks to the marvels of modern veterinary medicine, our pets are living much longer lives. With longer lives, however, come chronic diseases such as osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a commonly recognized disease in dogs. Until recently, however, it was less commonly diagnosed in cats. Fortunately, veterinarians are now more aware of this problem in older cats and are helping them live less painful lives.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition of the joints in which the normal cartilage cushion in the joints breaks down. Eventually, the bones in the joint rub against each other, causing pain, decreased joint movement, and sometimes the formation of bone spurs or other changes in and around the joint. Osteoarthritis continues to get worse over time; however, it can be managed so that the progress of the disease is slowed down, helping the joint to work as well as possible for as long as possible.

Diagnosing osteoarthritis in cats is difficult even for experienced veterinarians. Cats, unlike most dogs, can tolerate bone and joint problems due to their small size and natural agility. They also generally dislike being physically handled during examinations. Your veterinarian may have a hard time deciding whether your cat is pulling its foot away because of pain or simply because it doesn’t want to be touched. Cats are notorious for cowering on the exam table and not moving. As a result, a cat owner’s observations about his cat's decreased activity becomes very important if the veterinarian suspects the cat may have osteoarthritis. Veterinarians that suspect osteoarthritis may treat their cat patients for osteoarthritis to see if they show any improvement.

In cats, changes in affected joints are usually subtle. Decreased range of joint motion, commonly seen in dogs, is uncommon in cats. Crepitus, a grinding, crunching sound or feeling in a joint, is also common in dogs, but is uncommon in cats. Thickening of the tissues around and inside of affected joints, however, is a common finding.

Clinical signs of osteoarthritis in cats include weight loss, loss of appetite, depression, change in general attitude, poor grooming habits, urination or defecation outside the litter pan, and inability to jump on and off objects. Surprisingly, lameness is not as commonly reported a clinical sign by owners as you might expect. Because the same joints are often affected on both sides of a cat's body, a cat can compensate and appear to be walking normally. In a study, only 43 percent of cats were described to be limping, while 71 percent were unwilling to jump, and 67 percent had shorter jumps.

The most frequently-affected joints in cats are the elbows and hips, although shoulders and hocks (ankles) have also been reported. Arthritis in the backbone and sternum is also common.

Researchers have conducted studies looking at changes in radiographs associated with osteoarthritis in cats. In general, radiographic changes in cats with osteoarthritis are less severe than those in dogs with osteoarthritis. Sometimes, cats with osteoarthritis have no radiographic changes.

A study in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine looked at the association between radiograph and physical exam findings in 13 cats with osteoarthritis. Researchers examined the cats' joints for evidence of pain and/or radiographic changes seen with osteoarthritis. Half of the cats' joints they examined had osteoarthritis. Only 10% of the joints, however, had both clinical pain and radiographic changes. Painful joints, therefore, don't necessarily agree with the changes seen on the radiographs.

Treatment options for cats with osteoarthritis are limited. Non-drug treatment options include weight loss for overweight cats, increased exercise, and environmental accommodations, like using litter pans with lower sides for ease of entering and exiting, elevating food and water bowls, and providing soft bedding. For pain relief, steroids have been used in the past; however, they have fallen out of favor due to side effects. The only approved non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for use in cats are Metacam® 5mg/mL Solution for Injection, Loxicom 5mg/mL Solution for Injection, Meloxicam 5mg/mL Solution for Injection, Onsior 6mg Tablets, and Onsior Injection. Metacam® Solution for Injection, Meloxicam Solution for Injection, and Loxicom Solution for Injection are approved for a one-time dose for the control of postoperative pain associated with orthopedic surgery, ovariohysterectomy (spay surgery), and castration (neuter surgery) in cats. They are not approved for any repeat dosing. Onsior 6mg Tablets are approved only for a maximum of three days’ duration for the control of postoperative pain and inflammation associated with orthopedic surgery, ovariohysterectomy (spay surgery), and castration (neuter surgery) in cats. Neither Onsior Tablets nor Onsior Injection should be used in cats under 4 months of age. Onsior Tablets should not be used in cats weighing less than 5.5 lbs. Unfortunately, no veterinary NSAIDs are currently approved for safe, long-term control of osteoarthritis pain in cats.

Conclusion

Osteoarthritis in cats is difficult even for the experienced veterinarian to diagnose. By knowing what common signs to look for, pet owners like you can provide important clues for their veterinarians. This information, along with physical examination radiographic evidence, and new methods of pain assessment, can help veterinarians better diagnose the disease and more readily ease the silent suffering of many older cats.

Protecting Your Pets Protects Your Family

Worms that infect pets…

What are roundworms & hookworms?

You may already have heard that worms often infect puppies and kittens as well as older pets. The most common types of these parasitic worms are roundworms and hookworms. They live and grow inside the intestine of your pet. Roundworms* and hookworms develop from eggs into larvae (immature worms). The larvae later grow into adult worms.

Most pets show no signs of infection with these worms, but some may vomit, stop eating their food, or lose weight. Heavy infections in young puppies and kittens may lead to death.

* The word “roundworms” refers here to a group of worms known as ascarids. The word is sometimes used to include both ascarids and hookworms.

How do pets get worms?

Dogs and cats of any age may get roundworms and hookworms, but they are most vulnerable when they are very young. In fact, puppies of only 2–3 weeks of age can have many worms. That is because these worms are often passed from a mother to her puppies before the puppies are born. Sometimes they are passed shortly after the puppies are born, through a mother’s milk. Dogs and cats infected with these worms contaminate an area by passing worm eggs or larvae in their feces (poop). A dog or cat can be infected when they swallow dirt with dog or cat feces that has worm eggs or larvae.

…can infect people, too.

Can roundworms and hookworms infect people?

Yes. These worms, like other infections that humans can get from animals, are called zoonotic (zoe-o-NOT-ick) infections or zoonoses (zoe-o-NO-sees). By learning about these infections and how to prevent them, you can help protect your pets, yourself, and your family.

How do these worms infect people?

Dogs and cats with these worms pass worm eggs or larvae in their feces (poop). Because pets will pass feces anywhere, these eggs may contaminate a large area quickly. These worm eggs and larvae can survive for weeks and even years in areas such as parks, playgrounds, and yards.

• Roundworm infections usually happen when soil, sand, or plants that have been contaminated with infected animal feces are accidentally put in the mouth and ingested.
• Hookworm infections happen when larvae penetrate the skin. This usually happens when people sit or walk on contaminated soil or sand with bare feet.
• Children are more vulnerable to infection than adults because they play on the ground, may put dirty objects in their mouths, and may even eat dirt (eating non-nutritional items, like dirt, is sometimes referred to as “pica”).

How do roundworms harm people?

Roundworms enter the body when ingested as worm eggs that soon hatch into larvae. These larvae travel through the liver, lungs, and other organs. In most cases, these “wandering worms” cause no symptoms or obvious damage. However, in some cases they can cause damage to tissue. Sometimes they affect the nerves or even make their way to the eyes. In some cases, they may cause permanent nerve or eye damage, even blindness.

How do hookworms harm people?

Hookworm larvae typically move around within the skin causing inflammation and red, itchy tracks in the affected skin. This is called cutaneous (skin) larva migrans. One type of hookworm can make its way into deeper tissues and cause more serious damage to the intestines and other organs.

How can I protect my pets—and my family and myself—against worm infections?

• Have puppies and kittens dewormed by a veterinarian at an early age. Puppies and kittens may need to be dewormed more than once. Follow the veterinarian’s advice on how frequently puppies and kittens need to be tested and treated.
• Start or keep your pets on a drug program that prevents, treats, and controls these worms. A veterinarian can recommend treatments to eliminate and help prevent these worm infections. Since these products are available in many forms, you and the veterinarian can choose which one works best for your dog or cat. Ask for the product that is most effective against the worms that are most common in your area.
• Wash your and your children’s hands with soap and water after playing with pets or other animals, after outdoor activities, and before handling food or eating.
• Avoid touching soil, sand, plants, and other objects that might be contaminated by animal feces.
• Keep play areas, lawns, and gardens around your home free of animal feces.
  • Bag and throw away pet feces at least once a week.
  • Cover sandboxes when not in use.
• Obey leash laws.

Diseases associated with cats that can cause human illness are:

• Campylobacteriosis (Campylobacter spp.)

• Cat Scratch Disease (Bartonella henselae)

• Cat Tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum)

• Cryptosporidiosis (Cryptosporidium spp.)

• Giardiasis (Giardia duodenalis)

• Hookworm (Ancylostoma tubaeforme, Ancylostoma braziliense, Uncinaria stenocephala)

• MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus)

• Plague (Yersinia pestis)

• Rabies

• Ringworm

• Roundworms (Toxocara spp.)

• Salmonellosis (Salmonella spp.)

• Sporotrichosis (Sporothrix spp).

• Tickborne Diseases

• Toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma gondii)

• Tularemia (Francisella tularensis)

Campylobacter are bacteria that can make people and animals sick with a disease called campylobacteriosis.

How it spreads: People get Campylobacter infection by coming into contact with feces (poop) of infected animals, including cats, or by consuming contaminated food or water. Typically, Campylobacter is spread when people don’t wash their hands after touching animals or their food, poop, toys, or beds, but it can also sometimes infect you through an open wound. Cats commonly become infected by eating contaminated raw meat and shed the bacteria in their poop.

Who is at risk: Anyone can get a Campylobacter infection, but children younger than 5 years of age, adults over 65 years of age, and people with weakened immune systems are more at risk for serious illness.

Signs in cats: Cats may appear healthy and show no signs of Campylobacter infection or they can have diarrhea that may be bloody.

Symptoms in people: People can have diarrhea (often bloody), fever, and stomach cramps. The diarrhea may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Symptoms usually start within 2–5 days after infection and last about 1 week.

The cat tapeworm is a parasite spread to dogs, cats, and people through the ingestion of infected fleas. This parasite is common in cats but rarely causes illness in pets or people.

How it spreads: The tapeworm is spread when a cat or person swallows an infected flea. Cats may swallow fleas when self-grooming. Treating pets for fleas can help prevent infection.

Who is at risk: The risk of a person getting this tapeworm is extremely low because you must swallow a flea to become infected. Most cases occur in children.

Signs in cats: Tapeworms are usually not harmful for cats and usually don’t cause illness. The parasite can sometimes be detected by finding rice-like segments of the tapeworm crawling near the anus or in fresh feces (poop). If a dog is heavily infected, it may lose weight.

Symptoms in people:Dipylidium infection is rare in people and usually doesn’t cause any symptoms. Sometimes the infection can be detected by finding rice-like segments of the tapeworm crawling near the anus or in fresh poop.

Cat scratch disease (CSD) is an infection caused by the bacteria Bartonella henselae, and less commonly other Bartonella species.

How it spreads: Cats become infected through flea bites, fights with other infected cats, or blood transfusions. People can be exposed to the bacteria through the scratch or lick of an infected cat.

Who is at risk: Young cats (less than 1 year of age), strays or cats living in shelters, cats with current or previous flea infestation, and cats that hunt are most likely to have the bacteria. Any person can get sick from CSD, but illness is most common in children and adolescents under 15 years of age and people with weakened immune systems.

Signs in pets: About one third to half of cats have been exposed to the bacteria at some point in their lifetime. Although most infected cats do not appear sick, some cats may experience mild illness with fever that lasts for approximately 2-3 days. Rarely, the disease can cause more serious signs in cats, including vomiting, red eyes, swollen lymph nodes, tiredness, and/or low appetite. Bartonella infection in dogs is less common, but more likely to cause illness, compared to cats.

Signs in people: The CSD bacteria may cause a mild infection with a small, raised, solid bump at the site of the scratch and lymph node swelling near the site of the scratch. This occurs 1-3 weeks after exposure (for example, a cat scratch or lick). The infection can also cause fever, and less commonly eye infection, muscle pain, or more severe symptoms.

Cryptosporidiosis is a parasitic disease caused by the germ Cryptosporidium (or Crypto for short), which is spread by accidentally swallowing poop from an infected person or animal.

How it spreads: Crypto spreads through swallowing poop containing the germ after contact with an infected person or animal, or through poop in contaminated food or water. For example, people can get Crypto after swallowing recreational water, drinking untreated water from a lake or river, or touching their mouth after handling an infected animal.

Who is at risk: Anyone can been infected with Crypto, but people with weakened immune systems are more at risk, especially for severe disease.

Signs in cats: Crypto in cats is rare, but sometimes cats can carry the parasite without showing any signs of illness.

Symptoms in people: Symptoms include profuse, watery diarrhea with cramping, abdominal pain, vomiting, and nausea. The symptoms typically resolve within 1–2 weeks.

Giardia is a parasite that can be found on surfaces or in water, food, or soil that has been contaminated by poop from an infected person or animal.

How it spreads:Giardia spreads through swallowing microscopic poop containing the parasite following contact with an infected person or animal or by drinking water or eating food that has been contaminated with poop from infected people or animals.

Who is at risk: The risk of getting Giardia from cats is small. The exact type of Giardia that makes people sick is usually not the same that infects cats. Anyone can get Giardia, but the following groups have a higher risk:

• International travelers
• People who have contact with children in diapers
• People who have contact with poop during sexual contact with someone who is infected with Giardia
• People who drink untreated water from a river, lake, stream, or spring
• People who swim in natural bodies of water

Signs in cats: Cats with Giardia may have diarrhea, greasy stools, or become dehydrated.

Symptoms in people: People with Giardia may experience diarrhea, gas, abdominal discomfort, nausea, and vomiting. However, it is possible to be infected and have no signs of illness.

Hookworms are tiny worms that can spread through contact with contaminated soil or sand.

How it spreads: People can get hookworm infection by walking barefoot, kneeling, or sitting on ground that is contaminated with poop from infected animals. Cats can be infected by ingesting the parasite from the environment or through their mother’s milk or colostrum.

Who is at risk: Anyone can get hookworm infection.

Signs in cats: In kittens, hookworm can cause anemia and weight loss, and severe infections can be fatal.

Symptoms in people: People with hookworm infection can experience an itchy reaction and a red squiggly line may appear where the parasite larvae migrated under the skin. Unlike human hookworms, animal hookworms don’t survive in an infected person, so symptoms typically resolve within 4-6 weeks without medical treatment.

Staphylococcus aureus is a common type of a bacteria normally found on the skin of people and animals. MRSA is Staphylococcus aureus bacteria that have become resistant to some antibiotics. MRSA can cause a variety of infections, including skin infections, pneumonia (lung infection), and other problems.

How it spreads: MRSA can spread between people and animals through direct contact (touching). Even cats that aren’t sick can carry MRSA and spread it to people.

Who is at risk: Anyone can get a MRSA infection.

Signs in cats: Cats often don’t show signs of MRSA infection, but they can experience skin, respiratory, and urinary tract infections.

Symptoms in people: Most people with MRSA will carry it without showing any symptoms. For people who develop a MRSA infection, the most common type is a skin infection. If left untreated, MRSA can rarely spread to the lungs or bloodstream and become life-threatening.

Plague is caused by Yersinia pestis, bacteria that can cause illness in people and animals. In the western United States, fleas can pass the bacteria to rodents and other small animals. People and pets (dogs, cats) are at risk when they are bitten by infected fleas. Dogs and cats can get sick with plague and also spread the infection to humans.

How it spreads: People and animals are most commonly infected by flea bites, but touching plague-infected animals can also cause illness. People can also become infected by inhaling infectious droplets that a sick cat has coughed into the air.

Who is at risk: People that live in or travel to the western United States, particularly in rural areas, may be at risk. In addition, people with animal contact (for example, sleeping with pets) and hunters may be at risk.

Signs in cats: Cats are especially at risk for plague. Cats with plague may have a fever, low appetite, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes on their neck that can sometimes look like a wound. Cats can develop plague pneumonia and may cough or have difficulty breathing. Owners should minimize contact with sick pets and seek veterinary care as soon as possible to decrease the risk of people getting sick.

Symptoms in people: Bubonic plague is the most common form in people. Symptoms of bubonic plague include painful, swollen lymph nodes, sudden onset of high fever, chills, headache, and weakness. Other forms of plague, including septicemic plague and plague pneumonia, can cause more severe symptoms.

Rabies is a deadly neurologic disease caused by a virus that spreads primarily through bites of infected animals. Cat owners should get cats vaccinated against rabies.

How it spreads: Rabies spreads through contact with saliva or brain/nervous system tissue from an infected animal, usually through scratches or bites.

Who is at risk: Rabies is rare in the United States because of successful animal control and vaccination programs, but the disease is still found in wild animals such as bats, foxes, raccoons, and skunks. You or your pet could be at risk for rabies if you come into contact with an infected animal.

Signs in cats: Cats with rabies often experience sudden behavioral changes and progressive paralysis. They may also have restlessness, panting, or they may attack other animals, people, or objects. Animals with rabies typically die within a few days after symptoms start.

Symptoms in people: Symptoms of rabies in people can appear days to months after exposure. Once symptoms appear, it is almost always too late for treatment, so if you have been bitten by a cat or another animal, you should wash the wound immediately and see a doctor right away.

Ringworm is an infection caused by fungus that can infect the skin, hair, or nails of people and animals.

How it spreads: Ringworm spreads through direct contact with an infected animal or person (touching), or from the environment.

Who is at risk: Anyone can get ringworm.

Signs in cats: Some cats might not show signs of ringworm infection, but others typically have small areas of hair loss around their ears, face, or legs with scaly or crusty skin. Kittens are most commonly affected.

Symptoms in people: Ringworm infections in people are usually itchy and can appear on almost any part of the body. Redness, scaling, cracking of the skin, or a ring-shaped rash may occur. If the infection is on the scalp or beard, hair may fall out. Infected nails can become discolored, thick, or could crumble.

Roundworm is a parasite that can cause an infection called toxocariasis. Roundworms are commonly found in the intestines of cats.

How it spreads: Cats shed roundworm eggs in their poop. People and cats can get roundworms by swallowing roundworm eggs from the environment, such as dirt contaminated with cat poop.

Who is at risk: Anyone can become infected with roundworms.

Signs in cats: Kittens typically don’t appear sick but those that do could have mild diarrhea, dehydration, a rough coat, and a pot-bellied appearance.

Symptoms in people: There are two types of illness associated with roundworms in people. Ocular toxocariasis happens when roundworm larvae migrate to the eye and can cause vision loss, eye inflammation, or damage to the retina. Typically, only one eye is affected. Visceral toxocariasis happens when the roundworm larvae migrate to various body organs (like the liver, lungs, or central nervous system) and can cause fever, fatigue, coughing or wheezing, or abdominal pain.

Salmonellosis is caused by Salmonella bacteria, which are most commonly spread through contaminated food. Salmonella also spreads from animals, including cats, to people and from people to people.

How it spreads: People can become infected by eating contaminated food or through contact with animal poop. Cats can become infected with Salmonella by eating infected birds, rodents, or contaminated pet food, especially raw pet food.

Who is at risk: Anyone can get a Salmonella infection, but children younger than 5 years old, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems are more at risk for serious illness.

Signs in cats: Adults cats typically do not show signs of infection. Infected kittens may have diarrhea.

Symptoms in people: People may experience diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. Symptoms usually start within 6 hours–4 days after infection and last 4–7 days.

Sporotrichosis is an infection caused by fungus found in the environment.

How it spreads: The fungus typically spreads from the environment through a cut or scrape in the skin, but has also been associated with scratches or bites from animals, particularly cats.

Who is at risk: Anyone can get sporotrichosis, but people who handle plant matter (such as moss, roses, or hay) or come in contact with infected animals are especially at risk. People with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk for infection, particularly for disseminated infections.

Signs in cats: Cats with sporotrichosis may have no signs of illness to serious disease. Signs often begin with small draining wounds that become raised lumps with the surface eroded away. The disease can then worsen.

Symptoms in people: The symptoms of sporotrichosis depend on where the fungus is growing.

• Cutaneous (skin) form: Begins with a small, painless bump that shows up around 1-12 weeks after exposure. The bump can be red, pink, or purple and grows larger to eventually look like an open sore or ulcer that is very slow to heal. Additional bumps can appear near the original one.
• Disseminated form: In this form, the infection affects the internal organs and bones.
• Pulmonary form: Symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, and fever.

The disseminated and pulmonary forms can be very serious and sometimes deadly.

Pets are at risk for tickborne infections, including Lyme disease, tularemia, ehrlichiosis, babesiosis, and others. Pet owners should consult with a veterinarian on appropriate products for their pets to prevent ticks. Treating pets for ticks can reduce the risk of tickborne diseases for you and your pets.

How it spreads: Tickborne germs spread through the bite of an infected tick. During the feeding process, small amounts of saliva pass from the tick into the skin of the animal or person.

Who is at risk: People and pets that spend time in tick habitat (grassy, wooded, or brushy areas) are at risk for tick exposure. Cats may have ticks in and around the ears, around the eyelids, under collars, under front legs, between back legs, between the toes, or around the tail. Remove ticks from pets promptly to reduce disease risk.

Signs in pets: Signs of tickborne disease in pets can vary depending on the type of infection, or they may not show any signs of illness.

Symptoms in people: Symptoms of tickborne diseases in people can vary, but usually include fever, chills, body aches, and sometimes a rash. Some tickborne diseases can be very serious and even deadly. See your healthcare provider if you have been in tick habitat or been bitten by a tick and develop any of these symptoms.

Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by a parasite found in soil, water, meat, or poop from an infected animal, particularly cats.

How it spreads: People can get toxoplasmosis through contact with cat poop or by eating undercooked meat or shellfish. Cats become infected by eating infected rodents, birds, or other small animals. The parasite then sheds in the cat’s feces, contaminating the environment or the cat’s litterbox. People can get infected by consuming contaminated food or water. People can also become infected if they do not wash their hands after cleaning a cat’s litterbox or handling anything contaminated by cat poop.

Who is at risk: Anyone can get toxoplasmosis, but people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have serious illness. Pregnant women infected with the parasite can pass the infection to their unborn child, which can result in birth defects.

Signs in cats: Cats with toxoplasmosis rarely appear sick but can shed the parasite in feces for as long as 3 weeks after infection.

Symptoms in people: Most healthy people with toxoplasmosis don’t have symptoms, but some may have mild flu-like symptoms, or rarely, develop eye disease. People with weakened immune systems can have more serious complications from toxoplasmosis, including brain disease. Pregnant women who may have been exposed should talk with their doctor because of the risk for birth defects.

Tularemia is a disease caused by Francisella tularensis bacteria. It is mainly found in small mammals like rabbits and rodents but also can infect dogs and cats.

How it spreads: The bacteria can spread through tick bites, contact with infected animals, breathing in the bacteria, and contaminated food or water. Cats can get infected by eating or killing infected rodents or small mammals, or through tick bites. People also can become infected through cat scratches and bites.

Who is at risk: Anyone can get tularemia, but people who spend a lot of time outdoors, hunt, or dress and butcher wild game are more likely to be exposed to F. tularensis bacteria.

Signs in cats: Infected cats can have fever, swelling of lymph glands, fatigue, lack of appetite, and yellowed eyes.

Symptoms in people: There are several forms of tularemia in people. The most common signs of infection are fever, ulcers, and lymph gland swelling. Other symptoms include chills, headache, joint pain, muscle aches, and weakness. F. tularensis bacteria can also infect the eyes, throat, and respiratory system.

Cats may not be known as man’s best friend, but owning a pet cat comes with many benefits – including decreased feelings of loneliness and anxiety. However, if you have a cat or work with cats, it’s important to be aware of the risk for cat scratch disease (CSD).

CSD is a bacterial infection spread by cats. Cats usually get infected with the bacteria that causes CSD from flea bites. Many cats carry the bacteria that causes CSD at some point in their lives, but most infected cats don’t get sick. Kittens are more likely to spread the bacteria to people, and although CSD isn’t very common, most cases of CSD happen in kids under 15 years old.

How people get CSD

• You can get CSD when an infected cat scratches or bites hard enough to break the surface of the skin, or from exposure to cat fleas.
• CSD can cause redness, swelling, and small round bumps at the site of the scratch or bite. You may also have a low-grade fever. Later, lymph nodes near the infected area can become swollen, tender, or painful.
• Rarely, CSD can cause serious infections of the brain, retina, heart, liver, or spleen.

How to prevent CSD

• If you or a household member have a weakened immune system, adopt a cat over 1 year old instead of a kitten.
• Promptly wash any cat scratches or bites with soap and water.
• Use a vet-approved flea product and check your cat for fleas.
• Keep cats indoors.
• Don’t play rough with your cat.
• Don’t pet or touch stray or feral cats.

What role do cats play in the spread of toxoplasmosis?

Cats get Toxoplasma infection by eating infected rodents, birds or other small animals, or anything contaminated with feces from another cat that is shedding the microscopic parasite in its feces. After a cat has been infected, it can shed the parasite for up to two weeks. The parasite becomes infective one to five days after it is passed in the feces of the cat. The parasite can live in the environment for many months and contaminate soil, water, fruits and vegetables, sandboxes, grass where animals graze for food, litter boxes, or any place where an infected cat may have defecated.

What is toxoplasmosis?

Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a microscopic parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. More than 30 million people in the United States
carry the Toxoplasma parasite. Toxoplasmosis can cause severe illness in infants infected before birth (when their mothers are newly infected just before or during pregnancy), or in persons with a weakened immune system.

How are people infected with Toxoplasma?

People become infected with toxoplasmosis several ways:

• Eating food, drinking water, or accidentally swallowing soil that has been contaminated with infected cat feces.
• Eating raw or undercooked meat from animals (especially pigs, lamb, or wild game) that have been infected with Toxoplasma.
• Directly from a pregnant woman to her unborn child when the mother becomes infected with Toxoplasma just before or during pregnancy.

What are the symptoms of toxoplasmosis?

Individuals with healthy immune systems:

Most people who become infected with Toxoplasma do not know it and have no symptoms. However, when illness occurs, it is usually mild. Some may feel like they have the “flu,” with swollen lymph glands, or muscle aches and pain that last for several weeks or more. Rarely, eye disease occurs.

Individuals with weakened immune systems:

People with weakened immune systems may experience severe symptoms. The most common symptoms in people with HIV infection are headache, confusion, and fever. Other symptoms include seizures, poor coordination, and nausea or vomiting.

Infants infected before birth:

Most infants infected with Toxoplasma before birth show no symptoms at birth. However, many are likely to develop symptoms later in life. These include vision loss, mental disability, and seizures

How can I protect myself from toxoplasmosis?

Several steps can be taken to protect yourself and others from toxoplasmosis:

• Change cat litter boxes daily. Toxoplasma takes more than one day to become infectious. If you are pregnant or have a weakened immune system, ask someone else to change the litter box. If this is not possible, wear disposable gloves and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water afterwards.
• Cover any outdoor sandboxes when not in use to keep cats from defecating in them.
• Avoid adopting stray cats, especially kittens. Younger cats are more like to be releasing Toxoplasma in their feces.
• Do not eat undercooked meat. Cook whole cuts of meat to at least 145°F (63° C) with a 3 minute rest, and ground meat and wild game to at least 160°F (71º C).
• Wash all kitchen supplies (such as knives and cutting boards) that have been in contact with raw meat.
• If you have a weakened immune system, it is important to talk to your health care provider about getting a blood test to determine if you have been infected with Toxoplasma.

How can I protect my cat from toxoplasmosis?

Protecting your cat from toxoplasmosis may also help to protect you from toxoplasmosis.

• Feed your cat commercial dry or canned food.
• Never feed cats raw meat because this can be a source of Toxoplasma infection.
• Keep indoor cats indoors so they do not become infected by eating small animals.

Do I have to get rid of my cat?

No, you do not have to give up your cat. Owning a cat does not mean you will be infected with the parasite. It is unlikely that you would be exposed to the parasite by touching an infected cat because cats usually do not carry the parasite on their fur. In addition, cats kept indoors (that do not hunt prey or are not fed raw meat) are not likely to be infected with Toxoplasma. But, if you are pregnant, planning on becoming pregnant, or have a weakened immune system, it is important to protect yourself from infection.

Can toxoplasmosis be treated?

Yes. There is treatment for toxoplasmosis. In an otherwise healthy person, mild symptoms typically go away within several weeks to months and treatment is not needed. However, treatment may be recommended for an otherwise healthy person with eye disease due to toxoplasmosis. A woman who becomes infected during pregnancy can be treated with medication that may protect her unborn baby from toxoplasmosis. Mother and baby should be monitored closely during the pregnancy and after the baby is born.

Veterinarians protect more than just your pet’s health

Did you know your veterinarian plays a part in keeping you healthy, along with your pet? Pet health is connected to human health – germs can spread between you and your pets when you feed them, clean up after them, and even when you cuddle or kiss them.

Taking your pet to the veterinarian regularly can help ensure your pet lives a long, healthy, and happy life. And when pets are healthy, it helps keep you healthy!

Why take your pet to the veterinarian

Every pet – no matter how big or small – should have a trusted veterinarian. Veterinarians provide pet care, advice, and comfort for pet owners over the course of a pet’s life. Just like a human doctor, your veterinarian should be someone you trust and can go to when you have questions or concerns about your pet’s health.

Here are just a few ways your vet can help you:

• They can help you pick the right pet for your lifestyle.
• Veterinarians are trained to understand animal health – they can give you advice on your pet’s nutrition, exercise needs, and other needs.
• Yearly veterinary visits can help prevent health issues in your pet, through routine vaccinations, and flea, tick, and parasite prevention.
• Veterinarians are there for you when your pet gets sick or injured.

Learn more about keeping pets healthy.

How veterinarians protect human health

By keeping pets healthy, vets are also helping to keep people healthy too.

• Veterinarians vaccinate pets to prevent diseases that can spread to people, like rabies.
• Veterinarians prevent and treat bugs and parasites in pets that can also affect human health, like ticks and worms.
• Veterinarians can give you advice about ways to prevent the spread of germs between you and your pet.