When I first laid eyes on an armadillo, I couldn’t help but be impressed by how tough and rugged they looked. With their body armor, sharp claws, and tail resembling a whip, I couldn’t help but wonder if they posed a danger to dogs. Dogs, as we know, are curious creatures who often miss signs of danger. So, what’s the truth?
To satisfy my curiosity, I decided to delve into the subject of armadillos and their potential threat to dogs. I wanted to find out if they could harm our furry friends and if there were any risks of contracting diseases from them. Here’s what I discovered, and I hope you find it helpful.
Armadillos and Dogs: Understanding the Dynamics
Armadillos can indeed cause harm to dogs in certain situations. However, as a general rule, armadillos are not inherently dangerous to dogs. If a dog corners an armadillo, the armadillo may defend itself using its sharp claws and teeth. While armadillos do carry diseases, the chances of transmission from armadillos to dogs are very low.
To put it simply, armadillos prefer to avoid contact and conflict with dogs. They are wild animals and deserve our respect. Therefore, it’s wise to keep our dogs away from them.
It’s important to note that armadillos are not poisonous or toxic to dogs. However, they can transmit diseases to canines in rare cases. I’ll discuss these diseases in more detail shortly. Nonetheless, the main risk posed by armadillos to dogs is getting scratched or bitten by their sharp claws.
Will Armadillos Attack Dogs?
There have been reports in the media of armadillos attacking dogs, but in every case, it was not an unprovoked attack. These encounters occurred when a dog chased and attacked the armadillo, cornering it and leaving it with no choice but to defend itself.
In general, armadillos do not actively seek out opportunities to attack dogs and would rather avoid them altogether. Most of the time, they will retreat and find a safe place when confronted by large pets.
If your dog does get scratched or bitten by an armadillo, it’s important to seek assistance from a veterinarian. A scratch from an armadillo may contain bacteria that could cause an infection, and in very rare cases, an armadillo bite could transmit rabies to a dog through saliva.
Nevertheless, there’s no need to panic. Only a very small percentage of armadillos carry rabies, so the risk is quite minimal.
The Risks of Dogs Eating Armadillos
Now, let’s consider the risks associated with a dog consuming an armadillo. What are the dangers, and what should you do if it happens?
First and foremost, I recommend contacting your vet for advice in such situations. However, based on my research, I found several potential risks related to the diseases mentioned below.
Concerns Regarding Tapeworms and Other Parasites
The biggest danger to your dog when eating an armadillo is the risk of getting exposed to tapeworms and other parasites. This especially applies to dogs that consume armadillo feces, as the parasites in the feces can make dogs ill.
Another potential hazard when eating armadillo feces is salmonella. It has been found that armadillo feces may contain this bacterium, which could cause serious illness in dogs.
Rabies: A Minimal Risk
As previously mentioned, rabies is one of the diseases that dogs can contract from armadillos. If your dog has been bitten or scratched, ensure that their rabies vaccinations and boosters are up to date.
By the way, I recently published a helpful guide explaining the dangers of dogs contracting rabies from eating mice and other rodents. You might find it interesting!
Leprosy: Unlikely to Affect Dogs
You may have heard that armadillos carry leprosy, which is a frightening and terrible disease. However, it’s worth noting that leprosy is not highly contagious, and the risk of transmission to humans is low. As one source explains, only the nine-banded armadillo is known to carry the disease, and most people in the US who contract leprosy get it from other people while traveling abroad.
Additionally, the number of leprosy cases in the US is relatively low, with an average of 50 to 100 cases reported each year. According to Dr. Sunil Joshi, president-elect of the Duval County Medical Society in Florida, leprosy, similar to tuberculosis, is spread through coughing and sneezing, but 95% of the population is immune to the disease.
Concerning dogs and leprosy transmission, it is highly unlikely for a dog to contract leprosy from an armadillo. Leprosy is a disease that is specific to certain species. Dogs have their own strain of leprosy called canine leproid granuloma syndrome (CLGS). However, even this is rare, despite some reports of leprosy in dogs. Dogs that come into contact with armadillos will generally be fine, but you may want to exercise caution if your dog has eaten armadillo meat. In rare cases, this is where transmission between species could potentially occur.
In conclusion, the likelihood of your dog catching leprosy from an armadillo is very slim. However, it’s always a good idea to consult your vet to discuss any concerns, regardless of how small the risk may be.
Final Thoughts
In summary, armadillos can indeed pose a threat to dogs, but like any wild animal, they usually have a good reason for aggressive behavior. To reduce any potential risks, it’s advisable to keep dogs and armadillos separate whenever possible.
If your dog encounters armadillos, there’s no need to panic unless an altercation occurs, resulting in an injury to your dog. However, please remember that the information provided in this article is based on online research and should not replace professional veterinary advice. Always consult with a vet for any specific concerns covered in this article.
Lastly, if you’d like to learn more about the dangers dogs face from other animals and creatures, I regularly write about such topics. You can check out some related articles below.
