Bubonic plague

I know I might have started with something a bit off-putting, but it’s not completely impossible. While bubonic plague is no longer sweeping the streets of Europe and isn’t considered such a threat, it’s still out there. Even worse, you can get it from your pet. As a matter of fact, in 1977 and 1998, there were 23 documented human cases of bubonic plague, and they were all attributed to family cats. And it’s not just a feline thing, there are other animals that might put us at risk. Dogs can also carry plague-infested fleas, and they won’t even show signs of the disease.

Parasites

While it’s super disgusting, we needed to mention parasites too. When we say parasites, we’re generally speaking about roundworms and hookworms, but there are also many other examples of nasty offenders out there, so don’t worry. These roundworms and hookworms are usually found in dogs and cats, according to some CDC data. In most cases, these parasites will lay their eggs in your pet’s hair, where they can easily reach their sheets. So, could you really sleep, knowing that you might have eggs that are ready to hatch right next to you?

Staph infections

We are all familiar with what staph infections are, right? They’re infections caused by the famous staphylococcus bacteria, which also include the well-known antibiotic-resistant MRSA. They can easily reach humans through their pets.

Other bacterial infections

According to WebMD, that old rumor about your pets’ mouth being the cleanliest place on earth is nothing more than just a tale. The mouths of dogs and cats, as well as other carnivorous animals, are rich in bacteria-laden saliva that can get humans sick. Some of the diseases worth to be mentioned are meningitis and pasteurellosis.