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Survivorship: During and After Treatment
Some people worry that they’ll have to give up their pet if they have cancer. Pets are family for many people and provide comfort and support. Most people can keep their pets while taking some steps to keep themselves and their pet safe.
No. You cannot spread your cancer to your pet or anyone else. Cancer is not contagious.
For most people, getting cancer treatment will not pose a threat to their pets. If you’ve been told to take certain precautions with your body fluids, you’ll want to make sure your pet isn’t exposed to them. You can’t harm your pet by touching them.
The most common type of radiation therapy, external beam radiation, does not make you or your body fluids radioactive. So, there is no risk to your pets or anyone else. But certain types of radiation require safety precautions for a short time. Learn more about what safety precautions you should take depending on the type of radiation you get.
If you have a weak immune system, it is possible to get sick from your pet. This is why it’s important to take steps to keep you both safe. There are certain pets you might want to avoid during certain times of your cancer treatment. Don’t take in new pets or strays during cancer treatment. They are more likely to carry germs that could get you sick. See below for more information on this.
Here’s what you should know about preventing or lowering your risk of getting an infection from a pet.
Avoid scratches and bites while you are getting cancer treatment. If your pet plays rough, you might want to avoid this kind of play while your immune system is weak.
Certain infections are spread in the stool and even urine of pets.
Some infections can be spread through saliva (spit and drool), so try not to let your pet lick your face or any open cuts or wounds.
You can touch your pet, but always wash your hands after. Some germs are spread by touching or petting the animal and then touching your face, mouth, eyes, or open cuts or wounds.
You might want to tell your vet that you’re getting treatment for cancer and might be at a higher risk of infection. Ask them if there are any specific problems you should watch for.
Certain pets have a higher risk of spreading infections to people with weak immune systems.
Even if you don’t handle these animals, certain germs such as salmonella can be spread by touching infected surfaces. If you keep pets like these, keep all cages, toys, water, and other pet items away from areas where you prepare food and eat. Use the precautions listed above when cleaning, feeding, or caring for these animals.
Many people have farm animals as pets or for income. If you have livestock, make sure you keep them healthy and protect yourself from common sources of germs.
Kids are more likely to crawl or play on the floor with their pets, not wash their hands, and touch their mouths. This can increase their risk of getting an infection from a family pet. Children often need help from adults to follow precautions while they have a weak immune system.
Tell your child’s cancer care team what pets you have and ask them if there are any special precautions you need to take. You can also ask your vet about diseases your child could catch from a pet.
Have a plan for your pets in case you get too sick to care for them or must be in the hospital. It’s better to make these plans and never need them than to be worried about your pet if there’s an emergency. Even if you stay in your home, you might need help with daily activities like walking your dog or cleaning the litter box.
Here are some tips to make sure your pets are safe and cared for during treatment:
There are resources available if you need pet support during your cancer treatment. See Pets, Support, and Service Animals for more information.
The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team
Our team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as editors and translators with extensive experience in medical writing.
Anderson DJ. Infection prevention: precautions for prevention transmission of infection. UpToDate. UpToDate Inc; 2023. Updated March 2023. Accessed December 5, 2023. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/infection-prevention-precautions-for-preventing-transmission-of-infection
Baddour LM & Harper M. Animal bites (dogs, cats, and other mammals): evaluation and management. UpToDate. UpToDate Inc; 2023. Updated September 2023. Accessed December 5, 2023. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/animal-bites-dogs-cats-and-other-mammals-evaluation-and-management
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Healthy pets, healthy people: people with weakened immune systems. cdc.gov. Updated July 2021. Accessed December 5, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/specific-groups/high-risk/organ-transplant-patients.html
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Healthy pets, healthy people: pets and other animals. cdc.gov. Updated March 2021. Accessed December 5, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/pets/index.html
Last Revised: February 13, 2024
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