Can Cattle Carry Rabies?
Yes — cattle can get rabies, usually from the bite of a rabid wild animal and, in Latin America, from vampire bats. Rabid cattle often show the paralytic form: drooling, a changed bellow, and choking-like signs. A rabid cow can expose farmworkers and vets during oral examination (CDC, AVMA).
Cattle are spillover hosts; the human risk comes from hands-on oral exams of a drooling animal mistaken for choke.
Key facts about cattle and rabies
- In the US, cattle are infected by bites from rabid skunks, raccoons, foxes, or bats.
- In parts of Latin America, vampire bats are a major source of cattle rabies and cause significant livestock losses.
- Cattle frequently show the paralytic ("dumb") form — drooling, abnormal bellowing, difficulty swallowing, and weakness — rather than aggression.
- Because the signs mimic choke, people often reach into the mouth, creating a saliva exposure risk.
What to do after a cattle bite or exposure
- If you touched the saliva/mouth of a cow that later showed neurologic signs, wash exposed skin and call public health.
- Stop hands-on examination and isolate the animal; contact your veterinarian.
- In vampire-bat regions, follow local livestock rabies vaccination guidance.
- Report suspected cases to your state animal health authority.
Frequently asked questions
Can cows get rabies?
Yes. Cattle are infected by bites from rabid wildlife, and by vampire bats in parts of Latin America. Rabid cattle often drool and have an abnormal bellow, which can be mistaken for choke — leading people to risk a saliva exposure during oral exams (CDC, AVMA).
Can you catch rabies from a rabid cow?
Direct exposure is possible if a person contacts the saliva or nervous tissue of a rabid cow, for example while examining the mouth. Wash any exposure immediately and seek a rabies risk assessment.
Related animals
See the full animal rabies overview.
Sources
This page is for general education and reflects current CDC and WHO rabies guidance. It does not replace urgent medical or veterinary advice. If you may have been exposed to rabies, seek medical care promptly.