What are the health risks of having a live-in dog in a one-room flat? Garden is toilet,but sleeps indoors.?

Question

Dog is docile, quiet and lovable. My partner rescued him - was traumatised and abandoned as a puppy. Now I share studio with boyfriend and, although I vacuum all the time to remove hair, I've had recurrent eye infections, urinary infections and vaginal infections. May be no connection, but I'm worried. Boyfriend reluctant to have dog sleeping outside, although he's calm and no reason not to. Also does not believe there may be health risks. Despite my efforts, he does not keep to separate washing up cloths etc for the dog
I love dog very much but would be happier if I knew what the risks were. Flat is one large room with kitchen one end and living room/office at the other, with separate bathroom/WC. Door opens onto small garden, shared with three cats.

Answer 1

Honestly, aside from allergies, there are not health risks specific to living with indoor dogs. There is a risk for picking up worms (most often from picking up poop and not washing your hands), ringworm (a fungal infection), and fleas but these are minimal and rarely occur if the dog is healthy and you use parasite control (like flea and heartworm preventative). And honestly these risks are no higher than if you have regular contact with any animal whether they live outside or inside. In fact, if one were to make the argument, animals that live outside are more likely to carry these parasites because they are more likely to get into things an for infections to go unnoticed and untreated.

The infections you describe could be allergies, although they don't really sound like the usual presentation. Eye infections could easily be allergies, but urinary and vaginal infections usually aren't. However, if you are taking medication for the eye infections that could be a contributing factor for other infections (for example, antibiotics often create an environment that is favorable for yeast).

Also, I can think of many good reasons not to keep an outside dog. It is an unfortunate fact that outside pet dogs do not get as much attention as indoor dogs. Outside dogs are more prone to behavioral problems such as excessive barking, aggressiveness, and less serious annoyances such as jumping up on people and pulling on the lead during walks. Outside dogs are more likely to pick up parasites because they are harder to control in an outdoor environment (the local stray cat waltzes through your garden and suddenly your dog has been exposed to fleas, tapeworms, whipworms, and roundworms). Outdoor dogs are more likely to suffer if they become ill because it will take the owner longer to notice that something is wrong. Also, outdoor dogs are often at the mercy of the elements and people passing by...there are countless stories of dogs being poisoned by someone throwing a bag of anti-freeze laced food over the fence or having rocks thrown at them by neighbor kids.

Answer 2

As long as the dog relieves himself outside and is kept clean, there should be no health risks, other than pet allergies. The only symptom you describe that could be related back to the dog is maybe the eye infection, as some dogs put a lot of fine hair into the air, and even that is doubtful. The cats are a more likely culprit for your troubles as they carry a few diseases that can be transferred to humans, especially if they are using litterboxes in the house. That is also fairly unlikely. Most likely your health problems are completely unrelated to your pets, but are caused by something else.

Answer 3

You don't need to make the dog sleep outside, apart from anything else it would traumatise the dog. If you keep getting infections it's probably because you have a health deficiency, so visit your doctor for advice. The dog may irritate your eyes but it wouldn't give you an infection, least of all somewhere intimate!
As an edit: If a dog has fleas it's more than likely caught them from a cat. It's true!

Answer 4

I have had a number of friends with dogs in their apartment and there wasn't any health risks. For the sake of the dog, you may want to spend extra time paper training them, a dog peeing in a one room flat is not fun. Also, since they won't have much room, take the dog for a walk as often and as long as you can.

Hope this helps

Answer 5

The risks are to the DOG...not to you. Keeping your place clean benefits everyone...and the infections you describe have ZERO to do with the animal. Keep the washing-up cloths separate for NORMAL hygienic reasons...that's only common sense...and see a Doctor about your recurrent infections!!!!! Dog need frequent exercise. and you should keep ALL stool cleaned up with a scoop.... especially if the garden is a shared area. Water it down to keep the grass from browning up from urine. You can train the dog to use a particular area so that there's less clean-up involved. BF should share in this clean-up. Good luck to all of you! Hugs, Gina C.

Answer 6

I think there are many breeds that would be suitable for you although if noise is a consideration some of the breeds that wouldbe good for your flat and small garden are going to be noisy. I used to show Dachshunds and let me tell you, when they get going they'll wake the dead! lol Chihuahua's are known for being "yappy" as well and you'll want to make sure you don't have problems with your neighbors. As someone previously mentioned, there are plenty of small to medium sized dogs that are not as highly active as toy breeds that will be very suitable for a flat. We have a Cocker Spaniel, and have had them all my life, and they adapt very well to the flat or the farm. We live in a small flat with very limited outdoor space and Chip plays inside and mostly only goes outside to potty and is perfectly happy. Best of luck!

Answer 7

Like Kit_kat I've had dogs all my life, that's over 50yrs, and they sleep on my bed. I doubt very much if your problems are caused by the dog. I would urge your bf to use seperate washing up cloths for the dog though although this would not cause the type of infections you describe. I strongly believe people keep their houses too sterile these days giving us no chance of building up a resistance to any nasty bugs out there.

Answer 8

I don't think there is any risk. I have had dogs and cats my whole life as well as many other pets and the sleep in be with me and I don't work so I'm home all the time with them they only go out to be good. I have never suffered from anything .

Answer 9

My dogs live indoor and sleep on my bed. I dont think there are major health risks as long as your dogs are clean and healthy.
I do think is necessary to separate up washing for dogs' towels and clothes. I use separate dish washing sponge too.
I also have a habit to add Dettol to my laundry and clean my house frequently with Dettol.
I bathe my dogs weekly and I will clean their paws with water after their walks.

Answer 10

as long as he toilets outside and is defleaed and wormed regularly there should be no health risks to you.
You should keep to separate cloths for washing bowls and forks for cutting food as dog food can disagree with most human stomachs
i would reccomend a health check for both of you if you are worried but the risks are no worse than going to the toilet and not washing your hands after