10 Diseases You Can Actually Get from Your Dog

5. Leptospirosis: Spread Through Dog Urine

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that affects both dogs and humans. It can range from mild flu-like symptoms to life-threatening organ failure, making it one of the most serious diseases humans can catch from dogs.

How Humans Get Leptospirosis

The bacteria are shed through infected dog urine and survive in water and soil for weeks. Humans can get infected when:

• Cleaning up accidents indoors without protection.

• Touching contaminated soil or puddles where dogs have urinated.

• Swimming or wading in rivers, ponds, or stagnant water contaminated with urine.

Dogs don’t always look sick, so even healthy-looking pets can spread the bacteria.

Symptoms in Humans

Leptospirosis symptoms usually appear within 2–14 days of exposure. They can vary from mild to severe:

• High fever and chills

• Muscle pain, nausea, and vomiting

• Headaches and fatigue

• Jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes)

• In severe cases: Kidney or liver damage, meningitis, or even death

Because the symptoms mimic flu, many cases go undiagnosed until they worsen.

Prevention Tips

Protecting yourself and your dog requires simple, consistent steps:

• Vaccinate your dog regularly—this is the best protection.
• Don’t let dogs drink from puddles or stagnant water.
• Wear gloves when cleaning up dog urine indoors.
• Disinfect floors with bleach-based cleaners after accidents.

Quick Fact: The World Health Organization warns that leptospirosis is most common in tropical and rainy regions, but outbreaks occur worldwide.