Did you know that your dog can carry pests and diseases back home to you? Here are 8 pests and conditions that your dog may come home with from a boarding stay, the shelter, a walk in the park, or even your own backyard.

#1 – Sarcoptic Mange

There are two types of mange. Demodectic is not transferrable to humans, but did you know sarcoptic is? Sarcoptic mange is caused by mites and is transferred easily from host to host (so greeting another animal with it is enough).

#2 – Ringworm

Is another skin condition that is easily transferred from animal to animal and animal to human. This one is caused by fungus that only needs a touch to transfer. This includes inanimate objects like clothing or a brush. So your dog could get it a daycare facility, grooming, even walking in a pet store.

#3 – Tapeworm

Carried by Fleas, all your dog has to do is ingest one flea and get a tapeworm. Although rare, you can then get them by also swallowing a flea that is infected by a tapeworm. (www.vcahospitals.com)

#4 – Fleas

Aside from the aforementioned tapeworm, fleas themselves cause a host of problems. You or your dog could be allergic or if the infestation gets bad enough your dog can become anemic. The latter is especially true in puppies, where it takes less blood loss to cause problems.

#5 – Roundworm

Roundworms is the most common and easily transmitted of the parasites in a dog. A mother can pass it on to her puppy, or your puppy can pick it up in his environment by ingesting roundworm-infected soil, feces, or tissue (like if your puppy eats a mouse). You can get them from your dog’s feces or contaminated soil.

#6 – Ticks

Ticks are a terrible creature that your dog can get just from a walk outside, even in your backyard. They carry a host of diseases, including Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and others. One tick can have and transmit more than one disease. You can get all of these disease from the tick as well if it moves from your dog to you.

#7 – Hookworm

This nasty parasite’s larvae wait in raindrops, dew, or vegetation for a host (your dog) to come along and then enter either by being ingested or digging through the skin. Like many worms, your dog can pass it to you through their feces; the soil gets contaminated and then you come in contact with the soil.

#8 – Leptospira

This serious bacterial disease can be fatal if not diagnosed or treated early. It is transmitted through direct or indirect contact with carriers. Your dog can become infected through urine, bite wounds, ingestion of tissue (eating a wild animal), and even things like water, food, or bedding. Your dog can then pass it on to through his urine, a bite, or his water, food, and bedding.