Zoonotic diseases are those that can be passed from people to animals and vice versa.  Common zoonotic diseases include bacterial infections like cat-scratch disease and salmonellosis; parasitic infections such as hookworms and roundworms; fungal infections including ringworm;  protozoal infections like toxoplasmosis; and viral infections such as rabies.

Although we are more likely to contract ailments from other humans than our animals, simple precautions, common sense, and good hygiene can keep you and your pet free of zoonotic diseases:

• Wash hands before eating and after handling cats
• Schedule annual checkups and fecal exams for your cat
• Seek veterinary care for sick cats
• Keep rabies vaccinations current
• Maintain appropriate flea and tick control
• Avoid letting your pet lick your face, food utensils, or plate
• Consider keeping your cat indoors
• Seek medical attention for cat or dog bites
• Feed your pet cooked or commercially processed food
• Scoop litter boxes daily, and periodically clean with scalding water and detergent
• Wear gloves when gardening or handling raw meat; wash hands afterward
• Cover children's sandboxes
• Wash produce before eating
• Filter or boil surface water before consuming
• Cook meat to 160°F or 80°C

To learn more about zoonotic diseases, go to the Center for Disease Control website.