In brief: what you can catch from a dog
- Dogs can pass on a number of diseases (called zoonoses), but the risk is low if the animal is healthy, vaccinated and regularly dewormed.
- The most dangerous are rabies (100% fatal untreated), echinococcosis and leptospirosis; the most common are toxocariasis, ringworm (dermatophytosis) and scabies.
- The main defence is hygiene (wash your hands after contact), vaccinating the dog (rabies, leptospirosis) and regular deworming and parasite control.
- Avoid contact with sick stray animals; after a bite from an unknown dog, see a doctor immediately.
Zoonoses are diseases shared by humans and animals. Some cause only discomfort, others can seriously disrupt the body and even be fatal. The list is long, which is why dogs are often blamed for every possible infection. In reality, most of these diseases are easy to avoid — the key is knowing how they spread and following a few simple rules.
Below are the main diseases a person can catch from a dog, with their symptoms and prevention.
Quick reference: diseases you can catch from dogs
| Disease | Cause | How it reaches humans | Prevention |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toxocariasis | roundworm Toxocara canis | faeces, fur, contaminated soil | hygiene, deworming the dog |
| Echinococcosis | tapeworms Echinococcus | swallowing eggs from faeces/urine | hand-washing, hygiene |
| Giardiasis | protozoa Giardia | contact with faeces | hygiene, clean water |
| Leptospirosis | bacteria Leptospira | urine of an infected animal via skin/mucosa | vaccinating the dog, hygiene |
| Demodicosis | Demodex mites | close contact (rare in humans) | limit contact with a sick animal |
| Scabies (sarcoptic mange) | Sarcoptes mites | direct contact, items, clothing | hygiene, hot washing |
| Ringworm (dermatophytosis) | fungi Microsporum, Trichophyton | direct contact with skin/fur | check the dog’s skin, avoid infected animals |
| Rabies | rabies virus | a bite or saliva on a wound | vaccinating the dog; a doctor after a bite |
Toxocariasis
A parasitic disease caused by the roundworm Toxocara canis (a dog worm). You can be infected through contact with dog faeces containing the eggs, or with the animal’s fur — the eggs are sticky and cling to hairs. Another source is contaminated soil, where the eggs stay viable for years.
Symptoms in humans: the larvae can lodge in the liver, spleen, kidneys or even the brain; fever, rash, abdominal pain and headache are possible, and eye involvement can impair vision.
Prevention: good hygiene and hand-washing; regular deworming of the dog (the first at about 2 weeks of age, as advised by the vet).
Echinococcosis
A parasitic disease caused by the tapeworms Echinococcus granulosus or Echinococcus multilocularis. People are infected by swallowing eggs found in dogs’ faeces and urine. Once inside, the larvae settle in internal organs, forming cysts.
Symptoms in humans: it may cause no symptoms for years while the cyst grows. Later, signs depend on the site: liver — jaundice; kidneys — impaired function, blood in urine; lungs — breathlessness, cough, coughing up blood; brain — neurological disorders.
Prevention: personal hygiene, frequent hand-washing, hot-washing items that have been in contact with the dog.
Giardiasis
A parasitic disease caused by the protozoan Giardia intestinalis. It most often affects young animals, showing as diarrhoea with greenish-brown discharge and vomiting. People are infected through contact with faeces or contaminated water.
Symptoms in humans: resemble food poisoning: loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhoea and sometimes a raised temperature.
Prevention: personal hygiene, hand-washing and drinking clean water.
Leptospirosis
A bacterial disease caused by spirochaetes of the genus Leptospira (e.g. L. canicola, L. interrogans). Infection occurs through contact with the urine of an infected animal — the bacteria enter through broken skin and mucous membranes.
Symptoms in humans: depend on the organ affected: kidneys — vomiting, extreme thirst, bloody diarrhoea; liver — infectious jaundice; fever and muscle pain are also possible.
Prevention: vaccinating dogs; personal hygiene and avoiding stagnant water that may contain animal urine.
Demodicosis
A skin disease caused by Demodex mites that live in hair follicles and sebaceous glands. In dogs it is mainly linked to a weakened immune system; it is barely transmissible to people, who host their own mite species.
Symptoms in humans: local redness, pustules and patches of hair loss.
Prevention: limiting contact with a sick animal, good hygiene and supporting the immune system.
Scabies (sarcoptic mange)
A disease caused by Sarcoptes mange mites. Affected dogs have intense itching and local hair loss. The mite passes to humans through direct contact and via items and clothing.
Symptoms in humans: a rash with severe itching; in allergy-prone people it is easily mistaken for an allergic reaction.
Prevention: limited contact with a sick animal, hygiene and hot-washing of items.
Ringworm (dermatophytosis)
A fungal skin infection caused by Microsporum, Trichophyton and Epidermophyton, which feed on the keratin of skin, hair and nails. People are infected by direct contact with an infected animal or its fur.
Symptoms in humans: reddened skin, itching, papules and blisters with yellowish crusts; the nails and scalp may also be affected.
Prevention: monitor the dog’s skin, treat the animal promptly and avoid contact with infected animals.
Rabies
An acute viral infection that attacks the central nervous system and, without timely treatment, is 100% fatal. People are infected through the bite of an infected animal or saliva on broken skin. A sick animal may be timid or irritable, have bouts of aggression, eat inedible objects, bark hoarsely, have seizures, difficulty swallowing, an unsteady gait and a fear of water; the “dumb” form causes paralysis.
Symptoms in humans: first general malaise, then anxiety, spasms of the throat muscles, fear of water and paralysis. Once symptoms appear the disease is incurable, so you must act BEFORE they do.
Prevention: compulsory rabies vaccination for the dog. After a bite or saliva contact with an unknown animal, wash the wound at once and see a doctor immediately for post-exposure vaccination.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can you really catch a disease from a dog?
Yes — there are several zoonoses (diseases shared by people and animals). But the risk from a healthy, vaccinated and dewormed dog, with ordinary hygiene, is low.
Which dog-borne diseases are the most dangerous?
The most serious is rabies: without timely vaccination it is 100% fatal. Echinococcosis (cysts in internal organs) and leptospirosis are also dangerous.
How do I protect myself from diseases dogs can carry?
Wash your hands after contact, deworm and vaccinate your dog regularly (rabies, leptospirosis), treat it for parasites, pick up faeces and avoid contact with sick stray animals.
Is it safe to kiss a dog or share a bed with it?
With a healthy, well-cared-for dog the risk is small, but parasites and fungi can pass via saliva and fur. Keep up hygiene and limit close face contact, especially for children and people with weakened immunity.
What should I do after being bitten by an unknown dog?
Wash the wound at once with soap and water and see a doctor immediately — because of the rabies risk, post-exposure vaccination may be needed. Do not delay.
Although the list of zoonoses is long and the symptoms often hidden, most can be avoided. Prevention, prompt attention to signs of illness and correct treatment will protect the health of both you and your pet — and make life together comfortable and safe.