What Diseases Can Dogs Get From Humans?

Dogs and people can have the same diseases.

Zoonotic diseases are diseases that humans and animals share or can give each other. Animals can spread more than 200 diseases to humans. And humans can give some diseases to their pets.

Types

The most common diseases people can give their dogs are bacteria and parasites. Viruses are less commonly transmitted from human to dog.

Infections

If you get an infection from one dog, such as bordetellosis (kennel cough) or giardia, you can give it to another dog. Disinfect if you have been around other sick dogs before going home. Dogs do not get the human cold.

Bacteria

If you have leptospirosis or salmonella, prevent your dog from getting in the toilet as your urine and feces can be infected. MRSA (methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus) can also be transmitted to your dog.

Rabies

The most feared disease you can get from your dog is rabies; but if you handle rabies-infected animals--such as disposing of a dead animal--you could infect your dog. Keep all pets' rabies vaccines current.

Strep Throat

It is not uncommon for a person to give his dog strep throat. Often dogs have no symptom and keep passing it back to the humans in the household.

Parasites

Ringworm, hookworms, roundworm and scabies or mange can be passed between you and your dog.

References

• Diseases Transmissible Between Dogs and People
• Zoonotics: Diseases Which Can Be Transmitted Between Humans and Dogs
• Disease Vector - Human to Dog

Resources

• Zoonotic Diseases Tutorial
• Emerging Zoonoses
• Dogs With Colds?