Many pet owners assume their animals will only contract a certain array of illnesses from other animals of the same species. This is not always the case.
If you and your family share your home with both dogs and cats, it’s important to know the potential hazards of cross-species exposure.
Your pets’ immune systems are quite different. Dogs tend to have a more robust immune system, while cats’ immune systems are weaker and more susceptible to disease.
So, can dogs get sick from cats, and what should you watch for? Let’s take a look.
Worms and Parasites
Dogs can get sick from cat worms and parasites, but it is not incredibly common. In most circumstances, there is no direct transfer of parasites from cats to dogs. However, there are some cases where dogs can contract worms and parasites from cats.
These include fleas, tapeworms, roundworms, hookworms, and various other parasites that cats can carry. If a dog is exposed to the same environment as a cat harboring parasites, the canine may become sick if it ingests or comes into direct contact with the eggs or larvae of the parasite.
Ringworm
Ringworm is caused by a type of fungus, which can cause different types of infections in both animals and humans. In cats, it typically causes lesions or patches of hair loss on their skin, and in dogs, ringworm can cause skin infections, crusty patches, and hair loss. Pets are the most common way that humans get ringworms.
Thus, dogs can catch ringworm from cats, if the fungus passes from infected animals to the body of the dog. Treatment is required if your pet shows signs of infection.
Fleas
Dogs can get sick from cats’ fleas due to their proximity to the home. Fleas are incredibly resilient and will travel from one furry pet to another. The fleas will eat pets’ blood and lay eggs, and dogs can become infected with a variety of illnesses.
They can contract flea-borne illnesses such as tapeworm, Bartonella Henselae (cat scratch fever), and others. Flea allergy dermatitis is also a common problem for pets if they are continually exposed to fleas.
To prevent your dog from getting sick from cat fleas, use flea prevention products to keep them away from your cats. In case of a pet emergency like shortness of breath due to allergies to fleas, you must be ready to address it. To do that, make sure to go for training certifications from programs like these at https://cprcertificationnow.com/products/pet-cpr-first-aid-certification.
Rabies
Rabies is a virus that affects the nervous system in both cats and dogs and is highly contagious. This virus can be contracted through contact with an animal that has the virus, including cats, which is why it is so important for pet owners to make sure their cats have their rabies vaccinations.
It is also important that pet owners keep their cats away from other animals, especially wild animals, to prevent the spread of rabies. This is one of the types of pet illnesses that is very dangerous.
Knowing if Can Dogs Get Sick From Cats
Both cats and dogs can carry various illnesses and viruses that can cross the animal species barrier. This means that both cats and dogs must be vaccinated to protect them from common illnesses.
Knowing the types of pet illnesses can help you answer the question if can dogs get sick from cats. To help ensure the health of your furry friends, remember to visit the vet and keep up with their vaccinations and check-ups.
