Zoonoses: What Your Furry Friend Can and Can't Share With You

Cuddling on the sofa, a lick on the face, the cat at the foot of the bed: being close to our four-legged friends is just part of life. Sometimes, however, pathogens tag along. Don’t panic: with a few simple rules, you can keep the risk low. We’ll show you which zoonotic diseases are a concern in Switzerland and how you can protect yourself and your furry friend.

What exactly are zoonoses?

Zoonoses are infectious diseases that can be transmitted between animals and humans. While this may sound alarming at first, it is well under control in everyday life with a healthy, well-cared-for pet. The Federal Office for Food Safety and Veterinary Affairs (BLV) provides an overview of the zoonoses monitored in Switzerland. Most pathogens are transmitted through feces, saliva, scratches, or close skin contact. That’s exactly where protection begins: with preventive health care for your four-legged friend and a little bit of hygiene in everyday life.

Worms: Small, but Not Harmless

Roundworms are among the most common parasites in dogs and cats. An infected animal excretes microscopic worm eggs in its feces. These eggs can survive for a long time in the environment, for example in the yard or in a sandbox. If they enter the mouth via dirty hands, they can cause symptoms in humans. Young children, who tend to touch everything and put things in their mouths, are particularly at risk.

In Switzerland, the fox tapeworm is also a concern. It primarily infects foxes and only rarely dogs. Your dog can become infected if it eats infected mice. But what about your cat, which hunts mice much more often? According to the Institute of Parasitology at the University of Bern, the fox tapeworm does not thrive well in cats. They shed few eggs, and these are often not infectious. For humans, the overall risk is very low. Infection is rare, but it can be serious. For dogs that like to hunt mice, experts therefore recommend regular deworming with a treatment effective against tapeworms.

The best protection in everyday life: Consistently clean up after your dog, wash your hands after coming into contact with soil and feces, and have your dog dewormed regularly or have its feces examined. How often this is advisable depends on your pet’s individual risk. Guidance is provided by the recommendation from ESCCAP Switzerland, which was developed in collaboration with the Swiss Association for Small Animal Medicine. You can read more about this in our guide to ticks, fleas, and worms.

Toxoplasmosis: What Pregnant Women Should Know

Toxoplasmosis is probably the best-known zoonosis associated with cats. Cats usually shed the pathogen in their feces shortly after their initial infection. For most healthy people, an infection goes unnoticed or is mild. It becomes a concern during pregnancy, as a primary infection can harm the unborn child.

Do you have to give up your cat when you’re expecting a baby? No. According to a fact sheet from the BLV , the pathogens in the feces don’t become contagious until one to five days later. So if you clean the litter box daily, the risk is low. The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) advises pregnant women to wear rubber gloves when cleaning, wash their hands afterward, and avoid placing the litter box in the kitchen. An even simpler solution: Have someone else take over this task for a few months.

Skin Fungus and Cat-Scratch Disease

Have you noticed circular, bald patches in your pet’s fur? If so, a fungal skin infection might be the cause. It’s transmitted through close contact and usually appears in humans as round, reddish, itchy patches on the skin. While it’s easy to treat, it can be persistent: In this case, both the pet and the human should be treated at the same time, and sleeping areas should be thoroughly cleaned.

Cat scratch disease is caused by bacteria that are carried primarily by young cats, often without the cats themselves showing any signs of illness. The bacteria are transmitted through scratches or bites, and fleas play a significant role in this process. Swollen lymph nodes near the wound are a typical symptom. Therefore, always clean scratch wounds thoroughly and keep your cat free of fleas.

Giardia and Salmonella: When the Gut Goes on Strike

Giardia are single-celled intestinal parasites that can cause persistent diarrhea in dogs and cats, especially in young animals. While it is possible for humans to become infected, this is rare. Nevertheless, if an infestation occurs, you should immediately remove feces, sanitize food bowls and sleeping areas with hot water, and wash your hands thoroughly.

Do you feed your pet a raw diet, such as the BARF method? If so, you should be aware of salmonella and other bacteria. They can be present in the meat and be transferred to you via your hands, cutting boards, or food bowls. Therefore, handle raw pet food in the kitchen with the same care as you would raw meat for yourself.

And vice versa: Can your furry friend catch it from you?

You're in bed with a cold, and your cat is snuggling up to you. Should you be worried? Generally speaking, no. The typical human cold viruses aren’t a concern for dogs and cats. And conversely, your cat’s sneezing doesn’t mean you’ll catch a cold from it. Cat colds are actually caused by completely different pathogens—you can read more about this in our article on cat colds.

However, transmission from humans to animals cannot be completely ruled out. With the coronavirus, for example, a few dogs and cats have become infected by their sick owners. The BLV considers the risk to be very low but recommends taking some precautions if you are sick: no cuddling, no licking your face, and washing your hands before and after contact with your pet, its food bowl, and toys.

Five Rules for a Relaxed Daily Life

The good news: You don't have to give up cuddles. These simple habits are enough to keep the risk low:

‍Wash your hands after coming into contact with feces, the litter box, soil, or raw food—especially before eating.‍
Regular parasite protection tailored to your furry friend’s individual risk, against worms, fleas, and ticks.‍
Clean up feces immediately, whether in the yard or in the litter box, which you should clean daily.‍
Preventive care at the veterinarian's office, including the recommended vaccinations for dogs and cats.‍
Protect your face and wounds: Do not let your pet lick open wounds, and thoroughly clean any scratches.

Pregnant women, young children, the elderly, and anyone with a weakened immune system should be especially careful. It’s important for them to take hygiene guidelines very seriously and seek medical advice if they have any questions. Are you planning a trip abroad with your furry friend? If so, check with the BLV beforehand to find out about entry requirements, since rabies, for example, is still widespread in many countries.

Our tip: Giardia, skin fungus, or worm infestations often require multiple visits to the vet. As a Calingo customer, you can easily submit any invoice online through the customer portal, where you can check the processing status at any time. To learn how to submit a complete invoice so it’s processed as quickly as possible, check out our article “Submitting a Vet Bill.”

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A healthy pet is the best protection for both of you. And if your pet does happen to get sick, you'll be well covered with Calingo Pet Insurance.

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Can my cat sleep in bed?

Yes, as long as she's healthy and has good protection against parasites. Pay special attention to flea prevention if your cat goes outside, and wash her bedding regularly.

Do I have to give up my cat while I'm pregnant?

No. Have someone else clean the litter box every day, or wear gloves while doing so and wash your hands afterward. According to the FOPH, the main source of toxoplasmosis is raw or undercooked meat. If you have any questions, your gynecologist can help you.

Is it okay for my dog to lick my face?

The risk is low for a healthy dog that is regularly dewormed. However, prevent your dog from licking wounds, its mouth, or its eyes, and exercise caution around young children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems.

How often should I deworm my furry friend?

That depends on your pet’s risk factors—for example, whether it hunts mice, is fed a raw diet, or has a lot of contact with other animals. Many veterinarians recommend either regular deworming or having its feces examined. It’s best to talk to your veterinarian’s office about the appropriate schedule.

Is there rabies in Switzerland?

Thanks to a large-scale vaccination campaign for foxes, Switzerland has been officially considered rabies-free since 1998, according to the BLV. Isolated cases still occur among bats, so you should never touch injured bats with your bare hands. The greatest risk comes from animals illegally imported from countries where rabies is present. Strict regulations therefore apply to travel and to bringing dogs or cats into the country.