How Does a Dog Affect Bacterial Diversity in Your Home?
Dogs are loyal, loving, and full of personality. But beyond their wagging tails and playful antics, they also have a surprising influence on the microscopic world inside your home.
With over 12 million dogs in the UK as of 2025, living in around 30% of households, it’s no wonder that scientists are investigating how our canine companions affect indoor hygiene and bacterial ecosystems. Recent research highlights that welcoming a dog into your home can introduce a unique range of microbial diversity, which can have both positive and negative effects on human health.
Dogs and Household Microbes: What the Science Says
A landmark study conducted by the Department of Biology at North Carolina State University found that homes with dogs host a broader variety of bacteria compared to homes without pets. Researchers noted:
“Not only does the presence of dogs influence the relative abundances of specific microbial organisms found within homes, dogs appear to be the main contributor to differences in microbial diversity across homes for selected locations.”
Essentially, when you bring a dog into your home, you’re also introducing a variety of dog-associated microorganisms. While many of these are harmless (and some may even contribute to a healthier immune system), others can include bacteria that pose a risk, especially to vulnerable family members.
Key Findings of the Study
The study involved 40 families, each provided with home-swabbing kits to sample nine key household locations:
- Kitchen chopping boards
- Kitchen counters
- Fridge shelves
- Toilet seats
- Pillowcases
- Television screens
- Main door handles (exterior)
- Upper trim of both interior and exterior doors
In total, researchers detected 7,726 different bacterial species across these households. The most common bacterial groups were Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Acinetobacteria—families that include well-known pathogens such as Salmonella, E. coli, Acinetobacter, and MRSA.
One of the most striking observations was that dog-owning households had significantly higher microbial diversity. In particular:
- Pillowcases in dog-owning homes had 42% more microbial groups.
- TV screens hosted 52% more microbial groups.
This is not entirely surprising as dogs love to jump on beds, couches, and spend time close to the family, spreading microorganisms as they go.
Should We Be Concerned?
Owning a dog brings countless health and emotional benefits, from reducing stress and blood pressure to improving social interactions. The introduction of additional microbes isn’t necessarily harmful and some research suggests that greater microbial diversity can strengthen immune responses, especially in children.
However, pathogenic bacteria can pose risks, particularly for babies, elderly family members, or those with weakened immune systems.
How to Maintain a Healthy Home with Pets
- Regular cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as door handles, countertops, and remote controls.
- Frequent washing of pet bedding and pillowcases at high temperatures to reduce microbial load.
- Using antimicrobial-treated products, such as those incorporating Biomaster technology, which provides long-lasting protection against bacteria.
Biomaster’s silver ion antimicrobial additives can be built into household products, ensuring bacteria cannot thrive on treated surfaces, making homes cleaner and safer for everyone.
Final Thoughts
Dogs will always be a source of joy, and yes, a little dirt and bacteria too. But with the right hygiene practices and antimicrobial protection, you can enjoy the benefits of pet ownership without worrying about unwanted germs.
Discover how Biomaster antimicrobial technology can protect your home.
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