Which Animals Carry Rabies? (Dogs, Bats, Foxes, Raccoons & More)
Almost any mammal can be infected with rabies, but a small number of species are responsible for nearly all real-world exposures. Knowing which animals carry rabies — and which almost never do — helps you judge how urgently to act after a bite, scratch, or other contact. This guide breaks the animal world into high-risk carriers and low-risk species, then links to detailed answers for the most-searched animals.
The highest-risk rabies carriers
Worldwide, dogs drive the vast majority of human rabies deaths — up to 99% — mostly in regions where canine rabies is not controlled. In the United States, decades of pet vaccination have nearly eliminated dog-to-human rabies, and the biggest threats are now wild animals. The main US wildlife reservoirs are:
- Bats — the leading cause of human rabies deaths in the US. Their bites can be tiny and painless, so any direct contact deserves medical advice.
- Raccoons — the most frequently reported rabid animal across the eastern US.
- Skunks — a dominant reservoir across the central US and California.
- Foxes — an important carrier in parts of the East, Southwest, and Alaska.
- Coyotes and other wild canids — less common but capable of carrying the virus.
Among domestic animals in the US, cats are actually reported rabid more often than dogs, largely because fewer cats are vaccinated and many roam outdoors where they meet wildlife. That makes both dogs and cats worth taking seriously after an unprovoked bite or scratch, especially from a stray or unvaccinated animal.
Animals that rarely or almost never carry rabies
Some animals are commonly feared but pose very little rabies risk. Small rodents — rats, mice, squirrels, chipmunks, hamsters, and guinea pigs — and rabbits are almost never found to be rabid and have not been known to cause rabies in people in the US. Opossums are also very rarely rabid, partly because their low body temperature is inhospitable to the virus. Deer can contract rabies, but cases are uncommon. None of these are “zero risk,” so a bite that breaks the skin still warrants wound washing and a quick risk check — but they rarely trigger post-exposure treatment on their own.
How to judge your own risk
The animal is only part of the picture. Risk also depends on whether the skin was broken, whether the animal was wild, stray, or unknown, whether it can be observed or tested, and the rabies situation in your area. The safest approach after any concerning exposure is to wash the wound with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes and then ask a doctor or public health authority whether post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is needed. Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms begin, but it is nearly 100% preventable when care starts early.
Rabies risk by animal — detailed guides
Explore the specific animals people ask about most:
- How to know if a dog has rabiesSigns, behavior changes, and what to do
- Do foxes carry rabies?A primary US wildlife reservoir
- Can opossums get rabies?Yes — but extremely rarely
- Do deer have rabies?Possible but uncommon
- Can rats and mice carry rabies?Small rodents are very low risk
- Can you get rabies from a dog scratch?When a scratch is a concern
- Can you get rabies from a cat scratch?Cats and scratch-route risk
Frequently asked questions
What animal carries rabies the most?
Worldwide, dogs are responsible for up to 99% of human rabies deaths. In the United States, where dog rabies is controlled, the most commonly reported rabid animals are wildlife — bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes — and among domestic animals, cats are reported rabid more often than dogs.
Which animals rarely or almost never carry rabies?
Small rodents (rats, mice, squirrels, chipmunks, hamsters, guinea pigs) and rabbits are almost never found to be rabid and have not been known to cause rabies in people in the US. Opossums are also very rarely rabid, partly because of their low body temperature. Deer can get rabies but it is uncommon.
Can you get rabies from a scratch instead of a bite?
Rabies spreads mainly through the bite of an infected animal, but a scratch that breaks the skin can transmit the virus if the animal’s saliva contacts the wound. Treat any skin-breaking scratch from a wild, stray, or unknown animal as a possible exposure and seek medical advice.
Should I worry about rabies if a bat was in my home?
Yes. Bats have small teeth and their bites can go unnoticed, especially in someone sleeping, a child, or a person who is intoxicated or impaired. If you wake to find a bat in the room or cannot rule out contact, contact a doctor or public health authority promptly.
Worried about a specific exposure? Use the rabies risk calculator or find care with the clinic finder.