can a cat get giardia from a dog

Contagion. If there are multiple pets in the household, a dog infected with Giardia does not pose a risk to a healthy cat because the two species are vulnerable to different strains. Similarly, an infected cat does not pose a risk to a healthy dog.

If my pet has a Giardia infection, how do I clean and disinfect my house?

To find out what to do, go to the Prevention and Control page and look for the Clean and Disinfect section.

Although it is typically more dangerous in other nations, Giardia is also frequently observed in the United States.

“When passed in the feces, cysts are immediately contagious,” Saleh stated. “Even minuscule or microscopic excrement fragments may harbor cysts, thereby contaminating household items, external surroundings, and the animal’s own fur.” The microscopic cysts are contaminating the dog or cat’s food and water bowls if they paw at them or scratch their side after licking some feces off of their paws. .

While some pets with Giardia exhibit symptoms like diarrhea and difficulty digesting food, other pets do not exhibit any symptoms at all. Therefore, if there’s a possibility that a pet may have come into contact with cysts, it’s crucial to have it tested.

For context, this makes Giardia more common than some other parasites like whipworms, which were detected in 1 out of every 200 dogs tested at veterinary clinics last year, or roundworms, which were found in 1 out of every 50 dogs, according to the Companion Animal Parasite Council.

Dr. Clinical assistant professor Meriam Saleh works at the Texas A&M

How do I protect myself if my dog or cat has a Giardia infection?

It is unlikely that you will become ill from a Giardia infection if you have a dog or cat. If you own dogs or cats, there are some precautions you can take to reduce your risk of contracting Giardia:

When gardening, put on gloves to lessen the chance of handling contaminated soil or excrement.
Regularly clean and sanitize all surfaces in your home, especially those that your pet uses, like bedding, toys, and food and water bowls.
Hands should be washed for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, especially after handling your pets’ food or treats, waste, or supplies.

FAQ

How is Giardia passed from dog to cat?

If a pet ingests infected feces or cysts that have spread to another object, Giardia will infect its new host and begin the cycle again. Even though the parasite can infect multiple species, it usually uses different strains to do so.

How did my indoor cat get Giardia?

Giardia is a protozoan that must be orally ingested. Cats are infected by the cysts by ingesting stool or contaminated soil (via grooming) or drinking contaminated water. Contaminated food is less often a source of Giardia for indoor cats but can be a source of infection for outdoors cats.

Can I get Giardia from my dog licking me?

Can I get Giardia from my dog licking me? Fortunately, the risk of humans contracting Giardia from dogs is relatively low, but it can happen. Make sure to wash your hands after handling your dog’s poop to reduce this low risk. In humans, giardia transmission commonly occurs via drinking water, not from pets.

Can I get Giardia from my cat licking me after?

Can I get Giardia infection from my pet? The chances of people getting Giardia infection from dogs or cats are low. The type of Giardia that infects humans is not usually the same type that infects dogs and cats. If you own other household or exotic pets, contact your veterinarian for more information.