A Kid's Guide to Pet-Borne Illnesses

If you have a pet, you probably don't think of it just as a pet. Your pet is probably more like a member of your family than just an animal. But there are things you need to know about the infections and diseases your pet could spread to you. And knowing how to protect yourself can help you enjoy your special animal even more.

Illnesses You Can't Get From Your Pet

When you take your pet for his or her check-up you may hear some pretty scary-sounding terms like "leukemia", "heartworm" and "parasites". If you have any questions about what those terms mean, ask your vet. He or she has a lot of information on these common conditions and can help you understand them. But a few of the diseases you don't have to worry about are:

1. Feline Leukemia In humans, leukemia is a very serious type of cancer but in cats, feline leukemia is actually a virus that you absolutely can not catch yourself. It's very contagious among cats, though, so your vet will probably ask about vaccinating your cat, especially if your cat spends a lot of time outside or around other cats. You do not have to worry about catching feline leukemia from your cat.

2. Heartworm Heartworm is a condition that mostly affects dogs. It is possible for humans to catch heartworm but you don't get it from your dog and even when humans do catch heartworm, it's very, very, very rare. I've never known even a single person who contracted heartworm.

3. HIV & AIDS There has never been a single case of anyone ever getting HIV or AIDS from a pet. You absolutely do not have to worry about getting HIV or AIDS from your dog or cat.

4. Cancer Cancer is disease that both pets and people can get, but cancer isn't something you can give to another person or another animal. If your pet has cancer, you can continue to love him just as much as you did before he or she got sick. You absolutely do not have to worry about catching cancer from your pet.

5. Diabetes Diabetes is another disease that both humans and pets get but, just as with cancer, it's not spreadable. If your pet has diabetes, you can continue to do most of the same things you did with your pet before he or she got sick. You absolutely do not have to worry about catching diabetes from your cat or dog.

How Not To Catch An Illness From Your Pet

Fortunately, getting an illness from your pet is pretty unusual, especially if you take your pet to the vet for a check-up every year or so. But you can lower your risk of catching an illness from your pet even more by following these simple guidelines:

Always wash your hands after playing with, feeding, petting or cleaning up after any pet. Of all the things you can do to prevent catching an illness from your pet, washing your hands is probably the most important. It's so important that Dr. Philip Tierno, one of my favorite scientists, tells us that you can actually prevent 80% of all infections just by practicing good handwashing.

Don't handle a pet that has diarrhea. If your pet develops diarrhea, try to get an adult to clean up the mess as quickly as possible, even if the diarrhea is in a litter box. If you absolutely have to clean it up yourself, wear a pair of waterproof gloves--like the kind your mom wears when she washes dishes or cleans the bathroom--and wash your hands after you're done, just to be safe.

Be careful around other animals. Stray animals often bite or scratch when they become frightened so steer clear of animals you don't recognize. And never, ever bring a stray into your home without talking to your parents first. Stray animals can carry a number of illnesses that can infect both you and your existing pet. It's wonderful to want to help a stray. Just be sure you protect yourself first.

Don't touch poop. A lot of illnesses are spread through animal feces. I like to wear waterproof gloves anytime I clean out a litter box or have to pick up waste.

Don't kiss your pet or let your pet lick your mouth. Also, don't let your pet lick any cuts or scrapes that you might get. Pet saliva can carry a number of germs that can make you sick.

Try to keep your pet and its area as clean as possible. Keeping your pet and its cage, bedding and litter clean will protect you in a couple of ways. First, it makes it hard for germs to live for very long. Second, it keeps germs from spreading to other areas of your house.

Don't let your pet sleep in your bed. This probably the hardest advice to follow and I'll admit that my son doesn't always follow it either. If possible, make your pet stay in one area of the house. This keeps most of the germs in a contained area. Also, keeping your dogs and cats out of your bedroom will really help if you have allergies.

Owning a pet is one of the best experiences you'll ever have. People who own pets are often happier and healthier than people who don't. And kids who are allowed to own pets may grow up to be better, more responsible adults. Truly, pets add a lot to our lives.