It might surprise a lot of people that sleeping with your pet might actually be a terrible idea. I mean, companionship is the first reason you got a furry friend, right? However, in some cases, sleeping with your pet might come with a lot of trouble, especially when it comes to health.

So maybe it’s worth thinking twice before letting your pet snuggle up in the sheets with you. Alongside bringing along a lot of warmth and love, your cute little one can also come with some germs, bacteria, and bugs. So if you decide to let your pet sleep with you at night, here are a couple of things you should expect:

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.

Cat-scratch disease

So, have you ever heard that song by Ted Nugent called “Cat Scratch Fever”? It’s not just a song. As a matter of fact, it’s a real disease carried by cats, and they don’t show any sign of infection whatsoever. It’s transmissible to humans through bites, scratches, and licks from a cat. According to WebMD, it’s likely for you to get it if your cat is sleeping in your bed.

Fecal matter

If your dog is like any other dog out there, it’s absolutely safe to say that at least once, he stepped in, played with, or even eaten poop. So when your dog enters your home, let alone your bed, the poop comes with him. It’s not just gross, but it’s one of the easiest ways to transmit parasites and bacteria such as E.coli or salmonella. According to a veterinarian, you should at least consider spritzing off your dog’s feet with a homemade 50/50 mixture of rubbing alcohol and water. This way, you’ll decontaminate the paws before letting your pet sleep in the bed.

Ticks

You probably know already that you can get a tick from only having a walk in the woods, but did you know that you can also get it from your pet? If your furry friend has a thick stuck in its fur and sleeps in bed with you, the thick might easily latch onto you instead of your dog. Ticks are known to carry various dangerous and contagious diseases, even more than the famous Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever or Anaplasmosis. Careful, if you live in an area near the lake, you should be even more cautious.

Mites

These little bugs are annoying not only for dogs but also for humans. So how do you feel knowing that you might be sharing them with your pet at night? The most common one is called the mange mite, which causes human scabies. It’s something you really want to stay away from.

Fleas

Just to make it clear: if you sleep with your dog, you’re definitely getting fleas. While we all might have heard this before, it’s just something you should take into consideration.