10 Diseases You Can Actually Get from Your Dog

You love your dog. But did you know some common diseases can spread from dogs to humans—and make you seriously sick?

From itchy rashes to life-threatening infections, here are 10 real illnesses your dog could be carrying without you even knowing.
Some are mild. Others could send you to the ER. Let’s get into it…

1. Rabies: The Most Dangerous Dog-Transmitted Virus

Rabies is one of the deadliest diseases humans can get from dogs. It’s a viral infection that attacks the brain and spinal cord. Once symptoms appear, survival is almost impossible—making prevention the only real cure.

How Humans Get Rabies

The virus spreads through the saliva of infected animals. In most cases, this happens when:

• A dog bites or scratches a person.

• Saliva from a rabid animal enters an open wound or the eyes, nose, or mouth.

• Even a seemingly healthy dog can carry the virus if not vaccinated.

Symptoms in Humans

Rabies doesn’t show up immediately. It can take weeks or even months for symptoms to appear, depending on the bite’s location and severity. When they do appear, they progress rapidly:

• Early signs: Fever, fatigue, and headache.

• Neurological signs: Muscle spasms, confusion, hallucinations.

• Hydrophobia: An extreme fear of water, caused by painful throat spasms when trying to drink.

• Late stage: Paralysis, coma, and almost always death.

Once rabies reaches the brain, no treatment works. That’s why fast action is critical.

How to Protect Yourself and Your Family

The good news is that rabies is 100% preventable if the right steps are taken:

• Vaccinate your dogs regularly. This is the single most important way to stop rabies at the source.
• Avoid contact with stray or wild animals. Don’t pet unknown dogs or wildlife.
• Act fast after a bite. Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and running water, then seek urgent medical care. Even if the dog looks healthy, it may be infected.
• Get post-exposure vaccination immediately. A doctor can give life-saving rabies shots if started quickly after exposure.

Key Fact: According to the World Health Organization, rabies kills over 59,000 people every year, mostly in Asia and Africa, with dogs responsible for up to 99% of human cases.