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Reducing the risk of pet-associated zoonotic infections

Author/s: 
Jason W. Stull, Jason Brophy, J.S. Weese

Pet ownership can have health, emotional and social benefits; however, pets can serve as a source of zoonotic pathogens. One large, regional survey reported more than 75% of households having contact with a pet,1 and close, intimate interactions with pets (e.g., sleeping in beds with owners, face licking) are common.1,2 Additional surveys suggest that the general public and people at high risk for pet-associated disease are not aware of the risks associated with high-risk pet practices or recommendations to reduce them; for example, 77% of households that obtained a new pet following a cancer diagnosis acquired a high-risk pet.1,3 This statistic is not surprising — studies suggest physicians do not regularly ask about pet contact, nor do they discuss the risks of zoonotic diseases with patients, regardless of the patient’s immune status.1,3,4

We review human infections acquired from pets, their risk factors and means of prevention. We limit the discussion to pet species typically owned by the general public (i.e., dogs, cats, fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles, rabbits and other rodents). Few systematic reviews or robust epidemiologic studies exist on this topic; most of our evidence comes from consensus guidelines and best practices for specific high-risk groups, with extrapolation to others

Keywords 
Humans Animals Zoonotic infections

Pets Are Associated with Fewer Peer Problems and Emotional Symptoms, and Better Prosocial Behavior: Findings from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children

Author/s: 
Christian, H., Mitrou, F., Cunneen, R., Zubrick, S.R.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: 

To investigate the longitudinal association between pet ownership and children's social-emotionaldevelopment.

STUDY DESIGN: 

Two time-points of data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children were analyzed for children at ages 5 (n = 4242) and 7 (n = 4431) years. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) measured children's social-emotional development. Pet ownership status and type (dog, cat, other) as well as sociodemographic and other potential confounders were collected. Longitudinal panel regression models were used.

RESULTS: 

Overall, 27% of children had abnormal scores on 1 or more SDQ scales. By age 7, 75% of children had pets with ownership highest in single-child households. Owning any type of pet was associated with decreased odds of abnormal scores for emotional symptoms (OR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.67-0.99), peer problems (OR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.60-0.84), and prosocial behavior (OR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.38-0.70), compared with non-pet owners. Dog ownership was associated with decreased odds of abnormal scores on any of the SDQ scales (OR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.71-0.93). For children without any siblings, only the prosocial behavior scale was significantly associated with pet ownership (OR, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.07-0.66). In longitudinal models, cat-only and dog-only groups were associated with feweremotional symptoms and peer problems compared with non-pet owners.

CONCLUSIONS: 

Early school age is an important period for family pet acquisition. Pets may protect children from developing social-emotional problems and should be taken into account when assessing child development and school readiness. Children without siblings may benefit most in terms of their prosocial behavior.

Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Keywords 
pets children Health
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