But is it healthy to allow your pets on your furniture? In many cases, it seems harmless enough and many people make this a regular practice for years with no negative consequences. However, there are some concerns regarding pets living like humans all over your living rooms and bedrooms. There have been documented cases of pets spreading diseases or causing infections in the very humans who love them so much.
Infections and Diseases Pets Spread
You probably care for your pet, including bathing, immunizing and grooming him, but it is possible, especially in pets that go outside (such as most dogs and indoor/outdoor cats) that he can contract diseases or infections that also can make you ill. Sleeping with or curling up on the furniture with a pet that possibly carries a potential illness that can affect your health can be a risk you may want to consider. The following health concerns have been linked to animal-to-human transmissions.
- Fleas: Anyone who has experienced a flea infection in the house understands the consequences of such an occurrence. By allowing animals on the furniture, fleas are given an opportunity to jump off of the animal’s body and infest that surface. Fleas will bite humans and cause itchy, uncomfortable, red, raised bumps on the skin that can become inflamed and infected if not treated.
- Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA): This is a bacterial infection that is unusually resistant to multiple strains of antibiotics, and it is believed to have originated in the canine species. MRSA has been passed from animal to human in identified cases. One couple was affected by recurring MRSA infections that were eventually linked to the family dog that slept in their bed.