Pet owners warned against sleeping with dogs due to 'untreatable superbug'
It is reported that sharing a bed with your dog can put you at risk of contracting an "untreatable superbug".
Dogs are very sociable in their nature and love to spend time with their human pals.
When they establish a strong bond with their human guardians, some dogs even end up sharing a bed with their owners.
Statistics show that 56% of people sleep with a pet in their bedroom. This is according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Although there are many great reasons for sharing your bed with a dog, new reports have revealed that sharing a bed with your dog can put you at risk of contracting an "untreatable superbug".
It is called the mcr-1 gene and experts believe it can be transmitted from animals to humans, according to Mirror.
READ: Heart-warming moment dog refuses to leave owner
The bug was reportedly first identified in China in 2015.
It reportedly kills 700,000 people a year worldwide and the UN warns this could rise to 10-million by 2050 if nothing is done.
Mirror reports that dogs can harbour mcr-1 in the their gut before it's transported via microscopic fecal particles.
Apart from not sharing a bed with your dog, another way to prevent the spread of the bug is proper hand hygiene and proper food safety, especially in crowded spaces, according to National Collaborating Centre for Infectious Diseases.
READ: Study: Dogs have a memory that enables them to recall events from their past
Disclaimer: Health-related information provided in this article is not a substitute for medical advice and should not be used to diagnose or treat health problems. It is always advisable to consult with your doctor on any health-related issues.
Image courtesy of iStock/@Albina Gavrilovic