The microbiome of cats and dogs are 50% similar to each other, but neither have a microbiome similar to humans. Cats have millions of pathogens on their fur from licking themselves, and petting a cat or dog will transfer at least 150 new animal pathogens onto the skin, which can be self-inoculated to the eyes, nose or mouth. Pets allowed to sleep on the bed can transmit the pathogens to the bed and to humans who sleep in the bed. Pathogens from an animal’s mouth that get into a wound, through broken skin, can cause necrotizing fasciitis, septicemia, amputations, and death.
Humans do not have immunity to pathogens in the mouths of animals. Animals should not be allowed in a child’s bed or crib. An infection acquired from an animal can become chronic and evolve into a chronic disease.
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