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Animal Diseases and Your Health
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Infections

Animal Diseases and Your Health

Animal diseases that can be transmitted to humans are known as zoonoses, and they can be contracted through direct contact with animals or indirectly via the environment.

Overview

Many diseases affecting humans can be traced to animals or animal products. You can get a disease directly from an animal, or indirectly, through the environment.

Farm Animals

Farm animals can carry diseases. If you touch them or items they have touched, such as fencing or buckets, wash your hands thoroughly. Adults should ensure that children who visit farms or petting zoos wash their hands as well.

Wild Animals

Though they may be cute and cuddly, wild animals may carry germs, viruses, and parasites. You should enjoy wildlife from a distance, as some wild animals may carry rabies, and deer or deer mice carry ticks that cause Lyme disease.

Pets

Pets can also make you sick, though the chance of this occurring is small. You can reduce your risk by practicing good hygiene, keeping pet areas clean, and keeping your pets' shots up to date.

  • Reptiles: Turtles, snakes, and iguanas pose a particular risk as they can transmit Salmonella bacteria to their owners.
  • Dogs: Can transmit rabies if infected.
  • Cats: Handling the kitty litter of an infected cat can lead to toxoplasmosis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Visiting petting zoos and farms carries a risk of exposure to zoonotic diseases such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Cryptosporidium, which can be transmitted through contact with animals, their feces, or contaminated surfaces. To reduce risk, wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before eating, drinking, or touching your face, and after leaving the animal area. Avoid kissing animals or putting their food in your mouth. Ensure that children do not put their hands in their mouths after touching animals or fencing. If you develop diarrhea, fever, or vomiting within two weeks of a visit, contact your healthcare provider and mention your recent exposure.
To prevent toxoplasmosis, pregnant women or those planning to become pregnant should avoid changing cat litter boxes entirely. If this is not possible, the person changing the litter should wear disposable gloves and wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately afterward. It is also recommended to change the litter daily, as the Toxoplasma oocysts that cause the disease do not become infectious until they have been exposed to air for one to five days. Keeping cats indoors and feeding them commercial cat food rather than raw meat also significantly reduces the risk of the cat becoming infected.
Symptoms of Salmonella infection typically include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, which usually begin six hours to six days after exposure but can take up to 30 days to appear. The illness often lasts four to seven days, and most people recover without treatment. However, infants, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for severe dehydration and may require hospitalization. It is important to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling reptiles or their enclosures, as the bacteria can be shed in their feces even if the animal appears healthy.
If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes. Do not apply a tourniquet or attempt to suck out the venom or saliva. Seek medical attention immediately, even if the wound seems minor, as rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. The healthcare provider will assess the risk based on the type of animal, its vaccination status, and the location of the wound to determine if post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is required. Do not wait for symptoms to develop before seeking care.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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