Washing hands and face before eating is especially important after touching a dog. Dog droppings can contain very small worm eggs. Dogs losing their fur must be handled with caution. Such fur loss could be caused by the fungus disease called ringworm . The tinea fungus on a dog can enter the human system through open cuts or scratches and produce the typical skin sores of ringworm.
Some people have allergic reactions to dogs.
These are usually evidenced with symptoms similar to those of hay fever , including sneezing , a very runny nose, and itching eyes. Cat feces can carry the worm eggs that cause the roundworm infestation toxocariasis, as is the case with dog feces. Cat litter boxes kept indoors are a particular danger. Women who are or who might be pregnant run risks from cat feces. Cat feces can carry a one-celled parasite that causes toxoplasmosis .