You lock the doors, set the burglar alarm and climb into bed, with the family dog and/or cat following close behind. As your furry friends give you a kiss goodnight and settle in next to you, in the usual spot under the covers, you feel safe and secure. But, are you? Could there be hidden dangers right in your own bedroom just waiting to attack?
To the approximately 56% of dog owners and 62% of cat owners, sleeping with their pets is more than must a habit. Pets offer comfort, a sense of security and companionship, but a new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has these owners potentially rethinking this bedtime routine.
A group of medical professionals including veterinarians and a human physician evaluated the possible risks associated with sleeping with, sharing a bed with, kissing or being licked by their pets. The researchers found clear evidence of disease transmission resulting from such interactions. Such infectious diseases that can be transmitted from an animal to a human are known as a “zoonoses” or a “zoonotic disease.” Some of the zoonotic diseases that were found to have been transmitted included parasites, both external and intestinal, bacteria and viruses. Though zoonotic infections acquired by sleeping with a pet are ultimately considered uncommon, the possibility exists that life-threatening infections or diseases can, in fact, be transmitted. Overall, young children, the elderly and immunocompromised individuals are at greatest risk.
So, how can you prevent these hidden dangers from being a problem in YOUR bedroom? Overall, collaborate with your veterinary healthcare team to ensure your pet is healthy, including:
- Regular wellness exams (at least semi-annual for seemingly healthy animals)
- Monthly parasite prevention – external, intestinal and heartworm
- Ensuring all recommended vaccinations are kept current
At home, a few ways to decrease the risk of zoonotic disease transmission include:
- Wash hands after playing with pets, before preparing food and after handling feces
- In a sanitary manner, pick up and dispose of all feces produced by your pet
- Avoid letting your pet lick your face or open wounds
- Not allowing your pet (especially young puppies or kittens) sleep with individuals most at risk
While it is likely that we will all still continue to sleep with our pets, it is important to understand the risks involved and what we can do to prevent these risks. While the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) does not have a formal recommendation about people sleeping with their pets, what is clear is that the benefits of having a pet (whether they sleep in your bed or not) far outweigh the small risk they pose.
If you have any questions or concerns that remain, please contact your veterinary healthcare team to discuss further!
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