What Animals Can Get Rabies

The viral disease rabies can infect any warm-blooded mammal. According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services website, there are between 7,000 and 8,000 new cases in the U.S. each year.

Effects

Bats are a major carrier of rabies. The majority of instances of rabies in people in the U.S. occur when a bat bites a person.

Considerations

There are certain wild animals that contract rabies more often than other species do. This listing includes mammals such as foxes, coyotes, skunks and raccoons.

Potential

Domestic animals are not immune to rabies. Ferrets, dogs, cats, goats, cattle, horses and rabbits have the potential to develop the disease under the right circumstances.

Types

Rabies is exceedingly rare in animals like gerbils, hamsters, mice, guinea pigs and chipmunks. Insects, fish, birds and members of the reptile world, including snakes, lizards and turtles, never develop rabies.

Expert Insight

Most rodents are not prone to rabies. But some large species, such as the beaver and woodchuck, have fallen ill with the ailment.

References

• Rabies Surveillance:Missouri.gov
• Rabies:Illinois Dept of Public Health
• Rabies Causes:Mayo Clinic