Can a Human Catch E Coli From a Dog?

Escherichia coli, or E. coli as it's commonly known, is a strain of bacteria that causes severe intestinal upset. Your pooch gets infected by eating contaminated meat, coming into contact with a sick animal's droppings or drinking water contaminated with the bacteria, like from a puddle. If your vet determines that your fur pal has E. coli, you’ll need to be cautious. It is indeed possible to catch the dangerous bacteria from your canine.

You can get E. coli from your furry friend by cleaning up his infected feces. This is why it’s incredibly essential to wash your hands thoroughly after scooping up his business. Additionally, you could come into contact with the harmful bacteria after petting your pooch on his rear end if he has some fecal matter stuck to his fur, or if he licks you after he cleans off his rear.

If you become infected with the E. coli bacteria, you might not have any symptoms for one or two days, the Center for Food Security and Public Health reports. Typically, abdominal cramping and diarrhea are some of the most common symptoms. You should recover in about a week’s time, but the bacteria can be serious, even fatal, in young children and seniors. Contact your physician at the first sign of discomfort.