Man’s WORST friend? Dog owners face a higher risk of E. coli, salmonella and MRSA because the dangerous bugs thrive in their pets’ water bowls
- Scientists have found their water bowls can harbour life-threatening bacteria
- The evidence is now ‘clear’ to show dog water bowls can pose a risk to humans
- Researchers at Hartpury University were behind the first ever study of its kind
They may be considered a man’s best friend, but dogs could be giving their owners more than just love and affection.
Scientists have discovered their water bowls can harbour life-threatening bacteria, including E. coli, salmonella and MRSA.
Experts have now warned the evidence is ‘clear’ to show dog water bowls can pose a risk of infection to humans, as well as pooches.
Scientists have discovered the water bowls of dogs can harbour life-threatening bacteria, including E. coli, salmonella and MRSA (stock)
Hartpury University researchers conducted the first study of its kind, testing three types of the bowls sold across the UK.
They wanted to know how much the build-up of bacteria could be affected by the material a bowl is made from, and how often it is cleaned.
Results revealed dangerous bacteria was most likely to thrive in plastic bowls, with the cheap containers harbouring the highest quantities of bugs.
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However, the most harmful bacteria species, including strains of E. coli and MRSA, were most frequently found in ceramic bowls. Stainless steel bowls were also tested.
The study, presented at the 69th annual meeting of the European Federation of Animal Science at Dubrovnik in Croatia last month,also found the longer dog bowls are used, the greater quantity and species of bacteria that are present.
Animal scientists, led by Coralie Wright, have now called for stricter cleaning regimes of water bowls, to minimise the risk of spreading any killer bugs.
Aisling Carroll, study co-author, said: ‘It is clear from our study that dog water bowls pose a disease risk to both human and animal health.’
‘The increasingly close contact between humans and their pets is leading to concerns regarding bacterial transmission of zoonoses.’
Zoonoses are diseases which can be transmitted to humans from animals.
Ms Carroll called for further trials to assess the best water bowl materials that could slash the risk of spreading any bugs to humans.
Many pet owners let their animals lick their faces, or eat food from their hands or plates – two methods of potential transmission.
But the affectionate moments are one of several reasons as to why families often consider pets to be part of the family.
The study comes after University of Copenhagen research in April suggested dogs may cause urinary tract infections (UTIs), such as cystitis.
Two patients receiving hospital treatment for the condition carried the same infection-causing bacteria that was found in their dogs’ faeces.
Although one of the patients recovered after almost a year, their dog still harboured the bacteria, which suggests it is a permanent carrier.
DOG LOVER, 48, LOSES ALL OF HIS LIMBS AFTER HE CAUGHT A SEVERE INFECTION FROM HIS PET LICKING HIS LEG
A Wisconsin man had to have all his limbs amputated after he contracted a severe infection, likely from a lick from his pet dog Ellie.
Last month, Greg Manteufel, from West Bend, started experiencing flu-like symptoms including fever, vomiting and diarrhea.
However, when bruising appeared on his arms and legs, the 48-year-old was rushed to the emergency room.
Doctors told him a blood infection had spread to all four of his limbs and, due extensive tissue and muscle damage, they would be forced to amputate all of his limbs.
Greg Manteufel, 48 (pictured), from West Bend, Wisconsin, was rushed to the emergency room last month after he developed flu-like symptoms and bruising appeared on his arms and legs
‘It hit him with a vengeance,’ his wife, Dawn Manteufel, told WITI.
‘Just bruising all over him. Looked like somebody beat him up with a baseball bat.’
Doctors ran blood tests and discovered he’d become infected with a bacterial pathogen known as capnocytophaga canimorsus.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the bacteria is found in the saliva of healthy dogs and cats.
One 2014 study from Japan found the bacteria to be present in 69 percent of dogs and 54 percent of cats.
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