Preventing parasites (pets, gardening)

Pets

Got a pet at home? Take a few precautions. Even if your pet isn’t sick, it can still carry germs (bacteria, viruses and parasites), such as salmonella or toxoplasmosis. These germs end up in your pet’s feces, saliva or fur.

Your pet is at a greater risk of having germs if it goes outside or eats food containing raw meat. Avoid food and treats containing raw meat. If possible, prevent your pet from hunting as well, since rodents and wild birds can carry germs.

To reduce the risk of transmitting germs to the other members of your family:

• Wash your hands immediately after touching your pet or any surfaces or objects your pet has come into contact with (see How should you wash your hands?).
• Don’t kiss pets or hold them close to your face.
• Keep your pet and pet accessories (e.g., food, toys, cage, aquarium, or terrarium) out of the kitchen.
• Don’t let your pet climb up on kitchen counters or the dinner table.

If you are scratched or bitten, clean the wound with soap and water (see Bites).

During your pregnancy, it’s advisable to have someone else clean your cat’s litter box to avoid getting toxoplasmosis. If no one can do it for you, wear plastic gloves and wash your hands after removing and discarding them. Daily cleaning of the litter box also reduces the risk of toxoplasmosis transmission.

If you don’t have a pet but want one, it’s advisable to consult a health professional or veterinarian to select a pet that is suitable for your family. Some animals, such as reptiles (e.g., turtles, snakes, lizards, dragons) and amphibians (e.g., frogs, salamanders), often carry bacteria and should be avoided, especially when there is a pregnant woman, baby or young children at home.

Gardening

Cats and other animals may have buried their feces in your garden. Keep animals out of your garden. To avoid contact with the toxoplasma parasite or other germs, wear gloves when gardening and when handling soil and sand. Wash your hands well after gardening and thoroughly wash all vegetables and fruit that may have been in contact with soil. Other precautions are listed in Preventing food-borne infections.