Can Cats And Dogs Get Each Other Sick – Here’s The Facts!  

Having multiple pets in the home is always fun, especially when they come from very different species. Many homes tend to have both cats and dogs in the same home, making for a fun experience. In light of the recent times, many of us have become more hyper-aware of how we can get each other sick. This has likely left many pet owners and animal lovers to ask themselves: can cats and dogs get each other sick?

Yes, cats and dogs can get each other sick. Common diseases that can be transferred include Rabies, Roundworm, and even the common cold. Unvaccinated pets are more likely to spread diseases to one another.

In this article, we will explain everything you need to know about how cats and dogs can make each other ill. 

Can My Dog Get An Upper Respiratory Infection From My Cat

Although it may be surprising to some pet owners, dogs and cats can get some of the same diseases. Unfortunately, this includes a disease called Bordetella bronchiseptica, more commonly referred to as Kennel Cough. Both dogs and cats can get this disease and pass it to each other. Usually, both cats and dogs will get a cough and other flu-like symptoms when they have this disease. Luckily, there is a vaccine for this disease that is available for both cats and dogs. 

Can A Cat Catch A Cold From A Dog 

Yes, cats can catch a cold from a dog. Usually, Kennel Cough is the culprit behind a cat catching a disease from a dog. This is because Kennel Cough is a fairly common disease, especially in pets that spend a lot of time with other animals at kennels, dog parks, and pet daycares. 

Can Cats Transfer Diseases To Dogs 

In addition to Kennel Cough, cats and dogs can pass some other kinds of infections to each other. The first and most dangerous disease that we will mention is Rabies. Rabies can not only be passed between our cats and dogs but also through our pets’ interactions with wild animals. As a result, it is crucial that you get both your cats and dogs vaccinated against Rabies. 

This next infection is much less severe and life-threatening than Rabies, but it is still bothersome to our pets. Ringworm, a fungal infection, can be passed between cats and dogs. Roundworm is a skin infection that can be itchy and irritated, and you can get ringworm from your pets as well. As a result, it is always best to quickly get ringworm treated in your pets. 

Can Dogs Get Sick From Stray Cats

Although dogs could potentially get sick from a stray cat, it is unlikely that they will be in close enough contact to get things like an upper respiratory infection or a ringworm infection. The main concern would be a bacterial infection resulting from a cat bite or scratch. As a result, if your dog comes home with a strange bite or scratch injury, you should always clean the area and call your vet. Of course, it is also a good idea to keep your pets up to date on their Rabies vaccinations as well. 

In addition to this, it is also possible for dogs and cats to get a parasitic infection from stray animals. However, they usually need to ingest or come in close contact with the feces of an infected animal and not the animal itself. 

Can Unvaccinated Cats Be Around Dogs

It is always best to keep unvaccinated pets, including both cats and dogs, away from other animals whenever possible. This is because even pets that are vaccinated and protected against pathogens can still be carriers for various diseases, and these can still make your unvaccinated pets sick. 

Are Pets Vulnerable To COVID 19? 

Although cats and dogs can get a mild infection of COVID 19 in rare cases, it is not common for pets to spread the virus to people. The CDC points out low transmission from pets to humans.

In addition to this, symptoms only appear in rare cases, and they are usually extremely mild. As a result, there is no need to be overly cautious about our pets getting COVID 19 or spreading the disease to people, including their owners.

At this point, vaccinations for pets against COVID 19 have been deemed unnecessary. In addition to this, you should never put a mask on your dog or cat because this can restrict their breathing and be dangerous for them. 

Things To Consider 

There are some other things that you should consider when it comes to if cats and dogs can get each other sick. This includes tips for preventing the spread of disease in our pets and signs that you should take your pet to the emergency vet. In addition to this, we will be answering if cats and dogs can catch parasites from one another. Here are some things to consider about illnesses passed between cats and dogs. 

Tips For Preventing The Spread Of Diseases In Our Pets 

Although it can be tough to tell if a disease can be passed between cats and dogs in some cases, it is always a good idea to separate your sick pet from the other pets in your household. This will prevent the disease from spreading to your other pets. In addition to this, washing your hands after you handle a sick pet can prevent the disease from spreading to other pets as well. 

Can Cats And Dogs Catch Parasites From Each Other

Yes, cats and dogs can catch parasites from each other. This includes both internal and external parasites. Physical contact can pass these pests when it comes to external parasites such as fleas and ticks. In some rare instances, mites that cause mange can pass from dogs to cats and vice versa.

As for internal parasites, hookworms, tapeworms, roundworms, and whipworms are the most common in pets, and they can infect both cats and dogs. The most common way that dogs and cats get infected with internal parasites is through direct contact with infected feces. 

Signs To Go To The Emergency Vet 

Although most diseases that are transmissible between dogs and cats are not life-threatening in most cases, it is still a good idea for pet owners to know signs that their pet needs to go to the emergency vet. Here are some signs that require an immediate trip to the vet or emergency vet for both cats and dogs: 

• Blood in feces or urine 
• Having difficulties with urinating or defecating
• Extreme lethargy 
• Having difficulty with walking and standing 
• Collapse 
• Seizures 
• Vomiting and diarrhea (when not seeing improvements within 24 hours) 
• Reduced appetite for an extended amount of time 
• Significant weight loss 
• Having difficulties with breathing 
• Unexplained swelling 
• Signs of significant injuries (bleeding, broken bones, etc.) 
• Excessive panting 

Although not all of these signs may not be caused by an infection, some of these can occur in infections that have been left untreated. This is especially true for very young or old pets and pets with an already existing condition.