![\"2](\"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Dog-hygiene-sensible-guidelines-for-the-real-world-web-683x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nYet the advice to wash your hands after petting a dog is good practice, and there are times when I think it\u2019s particularly important for you to do this. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dog hygiene tips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n- What can you catch from touching a dog?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Is hand washing sufficient?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- When is hand washing important?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
If you live with dogs on a daily basis, then you are probably immune to many of the microbes your dog carries in the dust and debris that collects in their fur. So you don\u2019t need to be forever sponging and shampooing your four legged friend. <\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/bonnie-tall.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nDogs can also carry microbes in their bodily fluids, which sounds scary, but probably isn\u2019t a cause for concern if you are sensible. And being sensible means being aware of risk and how it could affect you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You see, the thing about microbes is, that it\u2019s not just whether or not you\u2019ve come into contact with them, but its also about just how many of them you\u2019ve been exposed to. And about how vulnerable you are to infection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s why its important to recognize those occasions when you are likely to have an extra large dose of bacteria or other harmful mini-beasts, on your hands. And to take extra precautions if your immunity is compromised in any way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What can you catch from touching a dog?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe transmission of disease from animal to human is known as zoonosis. A visit to a medical dictionary will reveal many zoonotic diseases caused by viruses, protozoa, and bacteria, that can potentially pass from dogs to humans. Not to mention internal parasites such as roundworms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you worried about them all, you would never keep a dog. The fact is that most dogs live out their lives without giving their human housemates anything nasty to remember them by! <\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"photo](\"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Dog-hygiene-tips-you-dont-need-to-go-overboard-web-683x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nAnd most of the nastier things that dogs can potentially pass on are carried in bodily fluids, like poop, pee, and saliva, not in their fur. So stroking a friendly dog is a relatively low risk activity for a healthy person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For those people that are more vulnerable to infection, the very young or elderly, and the immuno suppressed, it\u2019s important to talk to your medical advisors about the risks from your dog. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course it makes sense for everyone to avoid a high risk of infection where possible. And we\u2019ll look at reducing risk in a moment. It\u2019s worth first considering how effective simple hand washing is. And whether ordinary soap is sufficient to avoid infection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Is hand washing sufficient?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWe have all become more aware of hand washing in the last few years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The use of alcohol rubs or gels to kill germs on our skin has become more widespread, but it is probably not a necessary precaution in a healthy person that has simply been petting a healthy dog. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thorough hand washing, (long enough to sing happy birthday twice is a popular rule of thumb) is usually sufficient. But what about those times when you or a family member is at greater risk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When is hand washing after petting a dog most important?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n- Before eating<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- After cleaning up bodily fluids<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- After handling young puppies<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- After handling raw fed dogs that have eaten recently<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- After handling a strange dog<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Before eating<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s a good idea to wash your hands before eating or preparing food at any time. But this is especially important if you have been petting your dog. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It also makes sense to take extra care after any contact with pets where you are likely to be exposed to a larger number of microbes. Even if you are not intending to eat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
After cleaning pee and poop<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Hand washing is especially important after contact with bodily fluids such as urine and feces. Even if you were wearing protective gloves for the job. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m talking about clearing up after puppy accidents here, or nursing an incontinent or sick dog. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
After handling puppies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It is common for young puppies to carry roundworms that are capable of infecting people. In rare cases roundworms can cause blindness in humans, so its important to take this particular risk seriously <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To reduce the risk, always wash your hands and make sure children wash their hands, after playing with young puppies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t forget to worm your puppy as instructed by your vet, an don\u2019t let puppies lick your food before you eat it (that include your icecream). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Never let small children play where puppies poop. And never let puppies poop in children\u2019s play areas. Those worm eggs can survive for long periods in the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After handling raw fed dogs that have just eaten<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
My dogs are all fed on raw meat. If yours are too, bear in mind that dogs are messy eaters and traces of raw meat could potentially contaminate their fur. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For this reason, I don\u2019t feed my dogs raw chicken if my grandchildren are around, and we don\u2019t pet or handle the dogs just after they have eaten, without washing our hands afterwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After petting a strange dog<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If you have opportunity to wash your hands after handling a dog that you don\u2019t live with, it\u2019s probably sensible to do so. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You are less likely to be resistant to any bugs or beasties lurking in them, and you may be unaware of whether or not they are up to date with worm treatments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Finding a balance<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThese simple precautions are not the safest possible way to avoid risk of infection from dogs, but my personal view is that we need to balance some risk against the enormous benefit of having a dog in your life and being able to relax around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course we could all shut ourselves away in a hygienic bubble to avoid any kind of infection or contamination, but what kind of life would that be? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
So unless you are immunocompromised, I suggest you enjoy your dog, relax in their company, take a few simple precautions outlined above, and try not to worry about washing your hands every single time you pet them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But what do you think? Am I being too casual? Or over cautious? Let me know in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
References and further reading:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you live with dogs on a daily basis, then you are probably immune to many of the microbes your dog carries in the dust and debris that collects in their fur. So you don\u2019t need to be forever sponging and shampooing your four legged friend. <\/p>\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nDogs can also carry microbes in their bodily fluids, which sounds scary, but probably isn\u2019t a cause for concern if you are sensible. And being sensible means being aware of risk and how it could affect you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You see, the thing about microbes is, that it\u2019s not just whether or not you\u2019ve come into contact with them, but its also about just how many of them you\u2019ve been exposed to. And about how vulnerable you are to infection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s why its important to recognize those occasions when you are likely to have an extra large dose of bacteria or other harmful mini-beasts, on your hands. And to take extra precautions if your immunity is compromised in any way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What can you catch from touching a dog?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe transmission of disease from animal to human is known as zoonosis. A visit to a medical dictionary will reveal many zoonotic diseases caused by viruses, protozoa, and bacteria, that can potentially pass from dogs to humans. Not to mention internal parasites such as roundworms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you worried about them all, you would never keep a dog. The fact is that most dogs live out their lives without giving their human housemates anything nasty to remember them by! <\/p>\n\n\n
\n<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nAnd most of the nastier things that dogs can potentially pass on are carried in bodily fluids, like poop, pee, and saliva, not in their fur. So stroking a friendly dog is a relatively low risk activity for a healthy person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For those people that are more vulnerable to infection, the very young or elderly, and the immuno suppressed, it\u2019s important to talk to your medical advisors about the risks from your dog. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course it makes sense for everyone to avoid a high risk of infection where possible. And we\u2019ll look at reducing risk in a moment. It\u2019s worth first considering how effective simple hand washing is. And whether ordinary soap is sufficient to avoid infection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Is hand washing sufficient?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWe have all become more aware of hand washing in the last few years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The use of alcohol rubs or gels to kill germs on our skin has become more widespread, but it is probably not a necessary precaution in a healthy person that has simply been petting a healthy dog. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thorough hand washing, (long enough to sing happy birthday twice is a popular rule of thumb) is usually sufficient. But what about those times when you or a family member is at greater risk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When is hand washing after petting a dog most important?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n- Before eating<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- After cleaning up bodily fluids<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- After handling young puppies<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- After handling raw fed dogs that have eaten recently<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- After handling a strange dog<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Before eating<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s a good idea to wash your hands before eating or preparing food at any time. But this is especially important if you have been petting your dog. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It also makes sense to take extra care after any contact with pets where you are likely to be exposed to a larger number of microbes. Even if you are not intending to eat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
After cleaning pee and poop<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Hand washing is especially important after contact with bodily fluids such as urine and feces. Even if you were wearing protective gloves for the job. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m talking about clearing up after puppy accidents here, or nursing an incontinent or sick dog. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
After handling puppies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It is common for young puppies to carry roundworms that are capable of infecting people. In rare cases roundworms can cause blindness in humans, so its important to take this particular risk seriously <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To reduce the risk, always wash your hands and make sure children wash their hands, after playing with young puppies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t forget to worm your puppy as instructed by your vet, an don\u2019t let puppies lick your food before you eat it (that include your icecream). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Never let small children play where puppies poop. And never let puppies poop in children\u2019s play areas. Those worm eggs can survive for long periods in the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After handling raw fed dogs that have just eaten<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
My dogs are all fed on raw meat. If yours are too, bear in mind that dogs are messy eaters and traces of raw meat could potentially contaminate their fur. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For this reason, I don\u2019t feed my dogs raw chicken if my grandchildren are around, and we don\u2019t pet or handle the dogs just after they have eaten, without washing our hands afterwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After petting a strange dog<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If you have opportunity to wash your hands after handling a dog that you don\u2019t live with, it\u2019s probably sensible to do so. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You are less likely to be resistant to any bugs or beasties lurking in them, and you may be unaware of whether or not they are up to date with worm treatments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Finding a balance<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThese simple precautions are not the safest possible way to avoid risk of infection from dogs, but my personal view is that we need to balance some risk against the enormous benefit of having a dog in your life and being able to relax around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course we could all shut ourselves away in a hygienic bubble to avoid any kind of infection or contamination, but what kind of life would that be? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
So unless you are immunocompromised, I suggest you enjoy your dog, relax in their company, take a few simple precautions outlined above, and try not to worry about washing your hands every single time you pet them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But what do you think? Am I being too casual? Or over cautious? Let me know in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
References and further reading:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nAnd most of the nastier things that dogs can potentially pass on are carried in bodily fluids, like poop, pee, and saliva, not in their fur. So stroking a friendly dog is a relatively low risk activity for a healthy person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For those people that are more vulnerable to infection, the very young or elderly, and the immuno suppressed, it\u2019s important to talk to your medical advisors about the risks from your dog. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course it makes sense for everyone to avoid a high risk of infection where possible. And we\u2019ll look at reducing risk in a moment. It\u2019s worth first considering how effective simple hand washing is. And whether ordinary soap is sufficient to avoid infection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Is hand washing sufficient?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWe have all become more aware of hand washing in the last few years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The use of alcohol rubs or gels to kill germs on our skin has become more widespread, but it is probably not a necessary precaution in a healthy person that has simply been petting a healthy dog. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thorough hand washing, (long enough to sing happy birthday twice is a popular rule of thumb) is usually sufficient. But what about those times when you or a family member is at greater risk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When is hand washing after petting a dog most important?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n- Before eating<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- After cleaning up bodily fluids<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- After handling young puppies<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- After handling raw fed dogs that have eaten recently<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- After handling a strange dog<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Before eating<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s a good idea to wash your hands before eating or preparing food at any time. But this is especially important if you have been petting your dog. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It also makes sense to take extra care after any contact with pets where you are likely to be exposed to a larger number of microbes. Even if you are not intending to eat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
After cleaning pee and poop<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Hand washing is especially important after contact with bodily fluids such as urine and feces. Even if you were wearing protective gloves for the job. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m talking about clearing up after puppy accidents here, or nursing an incontinent or sick dog. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
After handling puppies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It is common for young puppies to carry roundworms that are capable of infecting people. In rare cases roundworms can cause blindness in humans, so its important to take this particular risk seriously <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To reduce the risk, always wash your hands and make sure children wash their hands, after playing with young puppies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t forget to worm your puppy as instructed by your vet, an don\u2019t let puppies lick your food before you eat it (that include your icecream). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Never let small children play where puppies poop. And never let puppies poop in children\u2019s play areas. Those worm eggs can survive for long periods in the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After handling raw fed dogs that have just eaten<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
My dogs are all fed on raw meat. If yours are too, bear in mind that dogs are messy eaters and traces of raw meat could potentially contaminate their fur. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For this reason, I don\u2019t feed my dogs raw chicken if my grandchildren are around, and we don\u2019t pet or handle the dogs just after they have eaten, without washing our hands afterwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After petting a strange dog<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If you have opportunity to wash your hands after handling a dog that you don\u2019t live with, it\u2019s probably sensible to do so. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You are less likely to be resistant to any bugs or beasties lurking in them, and you may be unaware of whether or not they are up to date with worm treatments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Finding a balance<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThese simple precautions are not the safest possible way to avoid risk of infection from dogs, but my personal view is that we need to balance some risk against the enormous benefit of having a dog in your life and being able to relax around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course we could all shut ourselves away in a hygienic bubble to avoid any kind of infection or contamination, but what kind of life would that be? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
So unless you are immunocompromised, I suggest you enjoy your dog, relax in their company, take a few simple precautions outlined above, and try not to worry about washing your hands every single time you pet them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But what do you think? Am I being too casual? Or over cautious? Let me know in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
References and further reading:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Before eating<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- After cleaning up bodily fluids<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- After handling young puppies<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- After handling raw fed dogs that have eaten recently<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- After handling a strange dog<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Before eating<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s a good idea to wash your hands before eating or preparing food at any time. But this is especially important if you have been petting your dog. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It also makes sense to take extra care after any contact with pets where you are likely to be exposed to a larger number of microbes. Even if you are not intending to eat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
After cleaning pee and poop<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Hand washing is especially important after contact with bodily fluids such as urine and feces. Even if you were wearing protective gloves for the job. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m talking about clearing up after puppy accidents here, or nursing an incontinent or sick dog. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
After handling puppies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It is common for young puppies to carry roundworms that are capable of infecting people. In rare cases roundworms can cause blindness in humans, so its important to take this particular risk seriously <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To reduce the risk, always wash your hands and make sure children wash their hands, after playing with young puppies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t forget to worm your puppy as instructed by your vet, an don\u2019t let puppies lick your food before you eat it (that include your icecream). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Never let small children play where puppies poop. And never let puppies poop in children\u2019s play areas. Those worm eggs can survive for long periods in the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After handling raw fed dogs that have just eaten<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
My dogs are all fed on raw meat. If yours are too, bear in mind that dogs are messy eaters and traces of raw meat could potentially contaminate their fur. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For this reason, I don\u2019t feed my dogs raw chicken if my grandchildren are around, and we don\u2019t pet or handle the dogs just after they have eaten, without washing our hands afterwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After petting a strange dog<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If you have opportunity to wash your hands after handling a dog that you don\u2019t live with, it\u2019s probably sensible to do so. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You are less likely to be resistant to any bugs or beasties lurking in them, and you may be unaware of whether or not they are up to date with worm treatments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Finding a balance<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
These simple precautions are not the safest possible way to avoid risk of infection from dogs, but my personal view is that we need to balance some risk against the enormous benefit of having a dog in your life and being able to relax around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course we could all shut ourselves away in a hygienic bubble to avoid any kind of infection or contamination, but what kind of life would that be? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
So unless you are immunocompromised, I suggest you enjoy your dog, relax in their company, take a few simple precautions outlined above, and try not to worry about washing your hands every single time you pet them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But what do you think? Am I being too casual? Or over cautious? Let me know in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
References and further reading:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n