What diseases do cats and dogs share?

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Common zoonotic diseases shared by cats and dogs (transmissible between pets, and many can also infect humans)

1. Parasitic diseases (most common)

  1. Toxocariasis (roundworm)
    Dog roundworm (Toxocara canis) & cat roundworm (Toxocara cati). Eggs survive long in soil. Both cats and dogs get infected by ingesting eggs; larvae can infect people.
  2. Hookworm
    Ancylostoma species infect both cats and dogs. Larvae penetrate skin, cause cutaneous larva migrans in humans.
  3. Giardiasis
    Single-celled protozoan parasite. Causes diarrhea in dogs, cats and humans. Spreads via contaminated water/feces.
  4. Cryptosporidiosis
    Protozoan that triggers watery diarrhea. Affects dogs, cats, immunocompromised people easily.
  5. Sarcoptic mange (scabies)
    Sarcoptes scabiei mite. Infests dogs most often; can temporarily infest cats and humans, causing itchy skin rashes.

Note: Ear mites (Otodectes cynotis): mainly cats, can spread to dogs but rarely humans.

2. Bacterial diseases

  1. Campylobacteriosis
    Causes fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea. Carried by both cats and dogs, transmitted through feces.
  2. Salmonellosis
    Salmonella bacteria. Pets (especially young kittens/puppies) may shed bacteria without symptoms. Risks for humans handling raw pet food.
  3. Leptospirosis
    Spread via urine of infected animals. Dogs are frequent hosts; cats can also be infected. Transmitted through water/soil. Can cause kidney/liver damage.
  4. Pasteurellosis
    Pasteurella multocida. Lives in oral cavity of most cats and many dogs. Bite/scratch wounds lead to swelling and infection in humans.

3. Viral diseases

⚠️ Important reminder: Most core pet viruses CANNOT cross between cats and dogs.

  • Distemper, parvovirus = only dogs
  • Feline leukemia, FIV, feline panleukopenia = only cats

Shared virus: Rabies
Rabies virus infects all mammals: dogs, cats, wildlife and humans. Transmitted by bites. Fatal once symptoms develop. Fully preventable with vaccination.

4. Fungal disease

Ringworm (Dermatophytosis, mainly Microsporum canis)
Not a worm — fungal skin infection. Circular bald, scaly lesions. Highly contagious between cats, dogs, and humans.

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