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Did You know approximately 40 million U.S. households have pet cats? Yes, it's true! Emotional support, a happy mood, and the contribution to the overall morale of the pet owners are some of the major reasons behind this increasing trend. However, cats also play an important role in promoting socialization among mentally or physically distorted people and older individuals. However, researchers have shown cats as great companions and beneficial for human well-being. But, there are also some health risks associated with having cats in the house, and pet owners must be aware of them.
Sometimes, cats carry harmful germs that can cause illnesses to people, such as skin infections and serious illnesses. So, here's a question: How can pet owners reduce the risk of catching an infection? The answer is obvious. The best thing to protect yourself is to ensure complete hygiene, including washing hands after handling or feeding cats. Moreover, don't forget to get your pets to the veterinary clinic for a routine medical checkup, which is also very important for the health of both pets and owners. Moreover, this article will discuss the most common diseases, cures, and ways to minimize the risk of getting sick from touching, petting, or owning a cat. If you want to know more about the infection or diseases that the cats can spread? Then let's dive deeper into the article.
Campylobacteriosis (Campylobacter spp.)
Campylobacteriosis is a disease that can be spread in both animals and people due to Campylobacter bacteria. It's one of the most common diseases, spread through the germs of the cats. It has been estimated that approximately 1.5 million people get sick annually due to Campylobacter in the United States. Therefore, pet owners need to understand the causes and treatments of the potential complications to protect themselves from these diseases.
How it spreads :
The most common causes of Campylobacter are consuming insufficiently or raw cooked p oultry, seafood, the meat of the affected animal, and drinking unfiltered water. Moreover, people can also get infected by coming into contact with the poop of the affected cats. According to experts, people who don't wash their hands appropriately after touching the poop, beds, and open wounds of the infected animals are more prone to catching this disease. It's pertinent to mention that cats commonly become infected by consuming contaminated meat and shed the bacteria in their poop.
Cat Tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum)
The cat tapeworm is a parasite spread among cats, dogs, and people through the ingestion of infected fleas. It's more common in cats and less in other pets or people.
How it is spread : When a person and particular cats swallow an infected flea, it usually gets infected with the tapeworm. Nevertheless, providing appropriate treatment to pets for fleas can prevent and even reduce the risk of this infection.
Who is at risk: People are at very low risk of getting infected with tapeworm. However, infants or children are more prone to exposure t o this disease.
Cat Scratch Disease (Bartonella henselae)
Bacteria Bartonella henselae and other species are the major reason for Cat scratch disease (CSD).
How it spreads : Flea bites, fighting or getting in contact with the infected cats, or blood transfusions can develop infections in cats. Humans can also be exposed to this infection through the licking or scratching of the affected animal.
Who is at risk : Cats younger than one year of age, those living in the shelters, current or previous flea infestation, stray cats, or those that hunt are at a high risk of being exposed to t hese diseases. This disease can affect anyone, but infants, children less than 15 years of age, particularly people with weak immune systems, are more prone to the CSD.
Cryptosporidiosis (Cryptosporidium spp.)
The germ Cryptosporidium, in short Crypto, causes this parasitic disease. This infection is commonly spread accidentally, swallowing stools of infected animals or people.
How it spreads : Crypto spreads through swallowing poop that contains germs or through contaminated food. For instance, if somebody drinks untreated water from ponds or canals, recreational water, or doesn't wash their hands after handling an infected animal, they can get Crypto.
Who is at risk : Crypto can affect anyone, particularly those people w ith weak immune systems or already suffering from severe diseases.
Giardiasis (Giardia duodenalis)
Giardia is a parasite found in soil, food, and water contaminated by the stool or poop of the infected animal or people.
How it spreads : This disease is usually caused or spread due to swallowing microscopic poop by coming in contact with an infected person or animal, drinking untreated water or food, contaminated with poop from infected people or pets.
Who is at risk : Cats are at lower risk of getting infected with Giardia. It's pertinent to mention that the type of parasite that causes illness in people is not the sam e that infects cats. The following group of people is more prone to exposure to Giardiasis:
Hookworm (Ancylostoma tubaeforme, Ancylostoma braziliense, Uncinaria stenocephala)
Hookworms are small worms that can spread if someone comes in contact with polluted sand or soil.
How it spreads : Walking barefoot, kneeling, or sitting on the contaminated (with the stool of affected animals) ground can cause hookworm infection among people. Meanwhile, cats can be exposed to this infection after swallowing the parasites or through their mother's milk or colostrum.
Who is at risk : Anyone can get infected with hookworms due to the aforementioned reasons.
Signs in cats : Sympto ms including weight loss, anemia, and even life-threatening infections may appear in the kittens.
Plague (Yersinia pestis)
A plague is caused by a bacteria known as Yersinia pestis, which can cause infection in both animals and people. This infection usually spreads mainly due to fleas in the Western United States. However, they can transfer the bacteria to rodents and other small animals. Therefore, pets, i.e., cats, dogs, and people, can catch this disease if the infected fleas bite them. Additionally, dogs and cats can get ill with the plague and transfer the infection to their owners and other people.
How it spreads: Getting in contact with or touching the plague-infected an imals and flea bites can cause the infection in people and animals. In addition to this, inhaling the infectious droplets spread due to the coughs of the sick cats can also cause infection among people.
Tick-borne Diseases
Tick-borne infections such as; babesiosis, Lyme disease, tularemia, and ehrlichiosis are the most common in pets. However, responsible pet owners should never take it for granted and get their animals to the veterinary clinic to avoid ticks. Treating ticks can further reduce the risk of other Tick-borne diseases.
How it spreads : Biting of an infected tick can spread Tick-borne germs. It is also possible that a small amount of saliva is transferred from the tick into animals or people's skin. Usually, it happens during the feeding process.
< p>Who is at risk :Toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma gondii)
Parasite present in meat, food, water, soil, or poop of infected animals, i.e., cat, is the major cause behind Toxoplasmosis.
How it spreads : Consuming undercooked meat, shellfish, or direct contact with cat poop can result in the infection. Meanwhile, cats get infected after eating infected birds, rodents, or small animals. Finally, drinking contaminated water and polluted food could be the reason for developing an infection. But, it mostly happens when people don't wash their hands after petting, feeding the animals, or, more importantly, cleaning the litter box.
Tularemia (Francisella tularensis)
Bacteria, most commonly known as Francisella tularensis, can cause tularemia. Small mammals like rodents and rabbits are infected with these diseases. However, dogs and cats can also get infected with the infection caused by Francisella tularensis.
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, small mammals, or tick bites. People also can become infected through cat scratches and bites.
< p>Who is at risk :Stay Healthy Around Pet Cats
You love cats and decided to adopt a pet cat. But what's next? As a responsible human being, you must choose the right type of cat that can easily adjust in your family. More importantly, don't forget to visit a veterinarian for a complete checkup of the new addition in your family. Because sometimes, cats carry germs despite appearing clean and healthy. In this way, you cannot only keep your cats healthy but can take care of your family's health too. Here are the following precautions that you should take;
- Don't forget to wash your hands with soaps/liquids every time after handling cats, their foods, water pots, and other supplies.
- After having direct or indirect contact with cat saliva or poop.
- After cleaning the pets and particularly their litter box.
- After gardening, especially if you have created a cat-friendly garden.
- Before you consume food or drink water.
- Its the responsibility of the adult owners to ensure the hand washing of the minors or children under their supervision.
- Always use hand sanitizer in case of unavailability of water or soap.
- The best thing you can do is wear gloves every time you contact the cats, i.e., cleaning, petting, feeding, etc.
Clean Yourself Up
All the time, we talk about the health and protection of pets. But what precautions are you taking to protect yourself from germs and stay healthy? You should be very cautious about cleaning yourself up, especially after cleaning a cat's litter box, because cats' poop is the major cause of infectious diseases. Therefore you should;
Change the litter boxes daily.
Regardless of whether or not you are using gloves to clean the litter box, you should always wash your hands once done with the cleaning.
Pregnant women, children, and people with weak immune systems should avoid contact with the cat's saliva, poop, or litter box because they are always at a higher risk of getting infected with several diseases. However, if there's no option, wear disposable gloves and wash your hands every time you contact cats or their supplies.
Keep your cat's litter box away from the kitchen, food preparation areas, and importantly children.
Prevent Cat Scratches & Bites
As we have already discussed in the articles, various diseases spread among people due to the bites and scratches of the cats. Because they can spread germs, no matter if the scratches or bites are deep or not, for instance, you can get infected only if the scratch just breaks the skin's surface.
It has been estimated that approximately 20-80% of cat bite incidents resulted in infections. However, it is also a fact that most incidents of cat bites and scratches are not being reported. So, here's a question: how can one prevent cat bites and scratches? Here are the following tips that can help you in keeping yourself away from such incidents:
- Try to avoid contact with unfamiliar animals. Don't be aggressive and handle them with care even if they seem friendly.
- Suppose you are involved in rough playing with kittens and cats. Then stop doing so! Because rough play can make your cats defensive towards people.
- According to different studies, cats generally bite when provoked. Therefore, you should avoid rough play, particularly when animals, i.e., cats, are young.
- To prevent scratches, trim your cat's nails regularly. You can also get the help of health care professionals. Moreover, as a responsible parent, you should tell children to let you know if they are bitten or scratched by the cats.
Care For Cat's Bites Or Scratches
Bitten or scratched by the cat? If so, then read the following guidelines carefully.
Wash the affected area or wound with warm soapy water immediately after being bitten by a cat.
Don't be late to seek medical attention if:
- You are unaware of the cat's vaccination status against rabies.
- The cat appears unclean or sick.
- The wound is serious and becomes painful, warm, swollen, or red.
- You haven't gotten a tetanus shot in the last five years.
Inform and report the bite to animal control or your local health department if:
- A stray cat bites you.
- The bite is unprovoked.
- You don't know whether or not the cat is vaccinated against rabies.
How Can You Keep Your Pet Cats Healthy?
The cleanliness of and the health of your cats is imperative for your family's health too. So, in this article, I will discuss the complete details about the easy ways to keep your pets clean and healthy.
Before Choosing a Cat
- There are certain types of cats or kittens available for adoption. But you should always keep in mind that not every type is suitable for your family. In addition, international pet adoption is not recommended due to the higher risk of diseases and infections, particularly when infants, young children, pregnant women, and people suffering from certain health complications or have weak immune systems in your family.
- You must completely understand the appropriate care while adopting a cat. For this purpose, you should consult with the veterinarians or pet store staff about the proper care, food, environment, or other necessary things about the cat you will select.
- Cats may shed hookworms, roundworms, Giardia, or other germs in their poop. Therefore, experts recommend changing the litter boxes daily. Also, as discussed several times, wash your hands after cleaning the litter box.
Things to Keep in Mind While Choosing a Cat
- Match a cat's personality and, more importantly, the traits with your family and pets you have already owned.
- Always choose a cat that is playful, active, and bright. Ensure that the cats have soft and shiny fur that doesn't contain poop and debris.
- Ensure that the cat or kitten doesn't have signs such as; abnormal breathing, depression, sluggishness, and fluid running from the nose or eyes.
- After a week or a couple of days of adoption, take your cat or kitten to the veterinarian's clinic for a complete medical checkup.
- If your cat becomes sick or expires soon after purchase or adoption, consult with the veterinarian immediately. Don't forget to inform the rescue organizations, pet stores, and breeders about the death or illness.
How to House Your Cat?
- Make every possible effort to provide a safe, clean, warm, and comfortable place and an environment for the cat to live in. You can also take a health care professional's suggestions for creating and maintaining the environment for your cat.
- If your cat is living outside the house (in the garden), provide shelter according to the weather conditions such as; hot, cold or rainy. Moreover, your cats must have access to an indoor shelter to stay safe from predators.
- Provide fresh food and water to the pets every day. Wash the cat's water or food dishes regularly.
Monitor Cat's Health
- Take your cat to the veterinarian for a routine medical checkup, which keeps your pet healthy and prevents diseases.
- Follow all directions of the veterinarians and treatments for bacteria, parasites, fleas, ticks, heartworms, etc.
- Clean up any poop or vomit in the house and, more importantly, disinfect that area. Wash your hands immediately after cleaning.
- If you notice any signs of illness or any unusual physical or behavioral changes in your pet, contact immediately with the veterinarian. Sometimes, it might be possible that cats seem healthy, but they can still transfer germs to people and other animals.
Don't Forget to Get Your Cat Vaccinated
Rabies and feline distemper vaccine is very important for protecting cats from life-threatening diseases. Also, give the veterinarian complete information about the cat's lifestyle and health.