They prompt us to exercise, and they make great companions. Human ailments caused by pets range from common, irritating allergies to potentially serious but rare diseases such as Lyme disease or bubonic plague.
Pets also can pass parasites, fungi and some bacterial infections to their owners.
As spring nears and the weather warms, pets and owners become more active outdoors and are more likely to be exposed to other infected animals or disease-carrying hosts like ticks and fleas. Regular vet checks, inoculations and keeping pets' habitats clean can solve most problems, says Scott Nichols, a senior student at Colorado State School of Veterinary Medicine in Fort Collins. There are precautions we can take to minimize contracting such illnesses. Children who play in yards that have dog and cat feces are the most susceptible to picking up parasites such as worms. Regular pet worming is the best prevention, along with cleaning the yard or litter box daily, he says.