Although pets can have positive effects on blood pressure, cholesterol levels and triglyceride levels, they can also have germs which can make humans sick, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
This means it's vital to both people's and pets' health that animals receive regular veterinary checkups. In addition, good hygiene can prevent the spread of harmful germs, especially for people with weaker immune systems, such as a cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Despite the risk of spreading germs, pets still provide important emotional support to patients receiving chemotherapy. However, certain pets, including reptiles, chickens, ducks, hamsters, gerbils, mice, guinea pigs and ferrets, can put cancer patients at increased risk, according to the American Cancer Society. This makes healthy cats and dogs good options.
Although patients should talk to their cancer care team and veterinarian about keeping a pet while in chemotherapy, they can take the following precautions: Wear gloves when cleaning up waste water or feces and wash hands afterwards; don’t allow pets to lick any open cuts or sores or mouths; keep pets as clean and healthy as possible; avoid scratches and bites, and trim pets' claws as often as possible; wash hands as frequently as possible, especially when eating or drinking.
