Being a pet owner has many benefits, especially when you develop a deep bond with your cat or dog. Dogs can be great protectors, they can teach children responsibility, and they can be the best companions to people of all ages.

While cats are known for being more independent than dogs, they are relatively low maintenance. Cats can be quite entertaining, and they too can be wonderful companions. What's more, studies have shown that having pets in the home can help prevent pet allergies from developing in children.

Considering all the benefits of having cats and dogs as pets, unfortunately there are some downsides. Many people believe that they can't get sick from cats and dogs because humans are a different species, but unfortunately that's not true.

Diseases Can Spread to Humans

Though rare, it is possible for diseases to spread from cats and dogs to humans. While it's unlikely that it will happen in your household, it's smart that you are aware that pets can pass diseases on to their owners, especially if there are children in your family.

Here are some of the diseases that can be spread from pets to humans as described by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

• Giardiasis: causes nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps in humans.
• Ringworm: causes redness, scaling, itchiness, and cracked skin in people.
• Roundworm: affects children the most, and causes migraines, scarring in the eye, and blindness.
• Toxoplasmosis: affects pregnant women and people with a weak immune system the most, and can lead to serious health complications.
• Cat-scratch Disease: an infected kitten or cat can have this disease, which can lead to infection in humans at the site of the bite.
• Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA): causes skin infections in humans, and if left untreated, can spread to the lungs or bloodstream, causing a life-threatening infection.

For more details about the diseases that pets can spread to humans, feel free to contact a veterinarian in this directory.