Pets: Healthy animals, healthy people

Pets can be a great addition to any home. They make us happy and provide many health benefits, but even healthy animals can carry germs that can make people sick. Follow these simple rules to share the love and not the germs.

WASH: Make sure to immediately wash your hands after touching a pet, or anything in the area where they live, play, or touch.

DISINFECT: Regularly clean any surfaces or objects your pet touches with soapy water followed by a household sanitizer.

SEPARATE: Keep pets and all their supplies (e.g. food, containers, toys) away from the kitchen and other places where food is made or eaten.

SUPERVISE: Always watch children when they touch or play with pets. Make sure they wash their hands afterwards and do not let them put pets or pet supplies near their face or share their food or drinks with pets.

PROTECT: Talk to your health care provider or veterinarian about the right pet if your family includes: children under 5 years of age, people with a weakened immune system, pregnant women, or adults 65 years of age and older.

For more information visit www.canada.ca/health.