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We live in a world full of germs. Some people say that itโs as
though we coexist with them. Animals tend to attract a lot more
germs than we do. This is usually because they love being dirty,
rolling around in messy, smelly things, and just being
themselves. Theyโre one with nature โ a part of it. And to exist
with it, they have to also be resilient to germs, at least to
some extent. Although a lot of germs that your pup or cat carries
wonโt affect them in a serious way, they might be passed on to
you, where they can do more damage. Here are a few types of
bacteria that your pets could track into your house.
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SalmonellaPets could be carriers of
salmonella. Although its most commonly spread through eggs or
meat, our pets can also get infected. If you come into contact
with the feces of a dog who has been infected by this bacteria,
it could easily spread to you. Thatโs why itโs so important to
use gloves when cleaning up after your dog. When you clean his
paws after a walk or a good game of fetch, keep those gloves
on, you never know where those feet could have been. No matter
how healthy you try to raise them, bacteria like these have a
way of always finding a way in. Keep your hands clean by
washing them with soap and water.
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CampylobacterThis bacteria is similar to
salmonella and is the major reason behind diarrheal illnesses.
The most common way of getting infected by this bacteria is
through contact with cat or dog feces, or raw foods. To prevent
getting this infection, clean your yard on a regular basis and
always keep an eye on your dog during walks, so that he doesnโt
walk through waste. Keep your pets clean and stick to a regular
bathing schedule, depending on our breed of dog. Cats are
natural groomers so theyโre cleaner.
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LeptospiraLeptospira is a bacteria thatโs
mostly found in urine. It can also be brought into your house
by your pet. Dogs are especially susceptible to the disease
caused by this bacteria, known as Leptospirosis. Humans can
also be affected. You can get infected through contact of
mucous membranes or urine of an infected animal. As the
severity of the disease increases, it could even lead to liver
and kidney failure in our pooches. There are virtually no
symptoms for leptospirosis until too late. Thatโs why itโs
especially important to take him to the vet for check-ups on a
regular basis.
Thereโs no need to fear germs once weโve done everything we can
to keep ourselves and our surroundings clean. IF you have any
more questions, turn to your vet. Heโll only be happy to help.
Safe soaps to be applied on cats
Cats do not like to take baths. This is as felines like to clean
each themselves or each other without the help of water and soap.
Kitties need minimal grooming. There are, however, some instances
when you must take your cat to its bath even if the animal does
not like it, A spot of soapy water will make your kitty clean,
taking away not only the grime but also dangerous substances
stuck in the coat. This is why it is vital to select a good soap
which have ingredients that can be safely used on feline bodies.
Special soaps
The easiest way to deal with the soap problem is to buy a soap
specially formulated for cats. These shampoos are made in
accordance with a special formula which keeps the coat and skin
of the cat moisturized and clean. The soaps have a balanced pH
which will not dry out the feline skin. In case you use a flea
shampoo, do follow the instructions laid out by the manufacturer.
Do not use it just born or a month old kitties or pregnant cats.
It must not also be used on nursing mother cats. This is as the
insecticides such shampoos contain may harm the animals. It is
important that you consult the veterinarian first in such cases.
Whatever you do, never use dog shampoo/soap on your cat. Canine
shampoos may contain ingredients like essential oils, fragrances,
and insecticides, which are harmful to cats.
Beware of essential oil
It is good to remember that for cats, natural soaps may not be
the better ones. Most natural shampoos and soaps have essential
oils extracted from plants to scent them. These oils are
dangerous for cats. The reality is that essential oils are
actually toxic to cats. This is as the liver of the cat does not
generate the enzyme required for metabolizing these walls. Since
the skin easily absorbs essential oils, it the best way is to
stay away from such compounds. A few essential oils have phenolic
compounds and phenols, which could be harmful to kitties.
Examples of these oils are pine oil, tea tree oil, cinnamon oil,
and peppermint oil. All these oils are extremely toxic to the
kitty.
If the cat gets exposed to essential oils, the animal may
experience many symptoms like vomiting, shakiness, drooling and
low body temperature. There may also be liver failure. If you
observe any of such symptoms, take the feline to the veterinary
clinic. If you do not have cat special shampoo, you can use baby
shampoo for humans or an unscented, gentle one. These kinds of
cleaning compounds are nearer to alkaline pH or neutral pH
compared to adult shampoos. This makes it much better for the cat
whose skin is a little more alkaline compared to human
skin.