Facts About Pet Waste

Pet Waste Bag

Pet waste has three times more pathogens (bacteria, parasites, and viruses) in it than human waste. These pathogens can cause diseases in humans and animals.

A few of these pathogens and their impacts on humans are listed below:

  • Salmonellosis - the most common bacterial infection transmitted to humans by other animals. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, headache, vomiting, and diarrhea
  • Campylobacteriosis - causes diarrhea
  • Cryptosporidium - a parasite carried by dogs, cats, and calves
  • Toxocariosis - roundworms transmitted from dogs to humans often without noticeable symptoms, but may cause vision loss, a rash, fever or cough
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