Is it Possible for Your Dog to Make You Sick?

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The answer is a lot, if our social media feeds are any indicator of how much we adore our pets. We welcomed them into our hearts and lives, and many of us even allowed them to sleep in our beds. Given our intimate relationship with our dogs (and the fact that they aren't very concerned with hygiene), it's natural to wonder: Is it Possible for Your Dog to Make You Sick?

"While most of the common illnesses we hear about don't pass between dogs and humans, there are some diseases that our dogs can convey to us," says Dr. Wesley Long, director of diagnostic microbiology at Houston Methodist Hospital.

"The viruses that cause common colds have evolved through time to live in people rather than dogs," adds Dr. Long. "This means you and your dog can't catch a cold from each other."The seasonal flu, which we prepare for every year, is the same way. Dogs, in fact, have their own strain of influenza, known as canine influenza. And because this strain of influenza is only seen in dogs, you don't have to worry about catching the virus from your pet.



Saliva is one of the most prevalent ways to get a sickness or infection from a dog. However, it's vital to note that a dog's germs normally infect a person through a bite or skin injury. If that's your thing, you can continue to let your dog lick your face. "The majority of germs transferred by a dog bite are part of the regular flora in a dog's mouth. While it's common for dogs to have these germs in their mouths, it's not common for you to come into direct touch with them "Dr. Long elucidates. “However, the bacteria contained in a dog's saliva normally cause sickness in humans only after a bite or contact with an existing skin injury”

·         Rabies – although very rarely spread from dogs to humans in the U.S., this can be a fatal disease in both dogs and humans

·         Pasteurella – one of the most frequently isolated germs from dog bites that can cause tenderness, pain and swelling

·         Capnocytophaga – a germ that causes serious infection and can ultimately lead to sepsis and meningitis

·         Brucella – occurs most commonly in farm settings, with symptoms ranging from fever to body aches

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