Pet dogs could be an unexpected source of harmful bacteria like Salmonella, new research suggests.
A team of researchers from Penn State found that household dogs are an overlooked transmission point for zoonotic pathogens, which are passed from animals to humans.
Salmonella is a bacteria that causes an infection in the gut, often known as food poisoning. It causes symptoms like diarrhoea, fever, and stomach cramps and, in rare cases, can be life-threatening.
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People can get Salmonella from eating contaminated food products or from infected people or animals by touching hands or stroking a pet.
Approximately 31% of homes in the UK own a dog, so the findings could highlight a growing concern about the health risks of owning a pet.
The study’s authors warn that dogs may be helping to spread drug-resistant strains of Salmonella, which could pose serious health risks.
“Especially with Salmonella, we think about the role of agriculture and transmission – we think about eggs, we think about beef. But the thing is, we don’t let cows sleep in our beds or lick our faces, but we do dogs,” said Sophia Kenney, a student in the molecular, cellular and integrative biosciences doctoral program, and in the Department of Animal Science, who spearheaded the study.
“We have this close bond with companion animals in general, and we have a really close interface with dogs. So, we asked the question: What’s the role of companion animals in transmission of zoonotic disease like Salmonella, since they can get it. Salmonella infections in dogs are not common but we’re aware of foodborne outbreaks related to pet treats or from contact with contaminated pet food and improper food handling.”
Researchers urge pet owners to practice good hygiene with their pup -Credit:PA Photo/thinkstockphotos
The study, published in the journal Zoonoses and Public Health, used the US Food & Drug Administration’s Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network to identify all nontyphoidal Salmonella strains isolated from domestic dogs between May 2017 and March 2023.
Then they matched the timing and location of those 87 cases to strains isolated from humans in the National Center for Biotechnology Information database and found 77 suspected zoonotic cases (meaning the bacteria moved from a pet dog to a human).
Salmonella infections in dogs can be obvious, but can also be asymptomatic with numerous studies reporting Salmonella isolation from clinically healthy dogs, according to team leader Erika Ganda, assistant professor of food animal microbiomes, Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences.
Researchers found that all identified strains had resistant genes for antibiotics deemed critically or highly important by the World Health Organization.
“This reminds us that simple hygiene practices such as hand washing are needed to protect both our furry friends and ourselves – our dogs are family but even the healthiest pup can carry Salmonella,” said study co-author Nkuchia M’ikanatha, lead epidemiologist for the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
“Salmonella is a quintessential human microbe, its presence intertwined with our history since the dawn of agriculture. Emerging research suggests this pathogen may have shadowed humanity for some 10,000 years, coinciding with the rise of animal domestication.”
The researchers urge that their findings should not discourage people from owning dogs, but should alert pet owners to the importance of maintaining good hygiene with their furry friends.
“At the same time, several studies highlight the significant physical and mental health benefits of owning a dog, including reduced stress and increased physical activity,” Ganda said.
“Our goal is not to discourage pet ownership but to ensure that people are aware of potential risks and take simple steps, like practicing good hygiene, to keep both their families and their furry companions safe.”