It is best to not let your dog or cat lick your face – and always wash your hands after playing with your pet or cleaning up their poo
Our relationship with pets has changed drastically in recent decades. Pet ownership is at an all-time high, with a recent survey finding 69% of Australian households have at least one pet. We spend an estimated A$33bn every year on caring for our fur babies.
While owning a pet is linked to numerous mental and physical health benefits, our pets can also harbour infectious diseases that can sometimes be passed on to us. For most people, the risk is low.
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