Infants and children under 5 years of age are more likely to get sick with animal-borne germs. This is because young children often touch surfaces that can be contaminated with animal feces and like to put their hands in their mouths. Items such as pacifiers can fall on dirty surfaces and then enter the baby’s mouth. Small children wash their hands worse.

Babies and young children are more prone to serious illness from germs that animals can carry because their immune systems are still developing. But there is good news! You can take steps to keep your kids healthy while still enjoying animals!