You probably spot squirrels almost every day. Maybe you wonder if they carry rabies.
Squirrels can get rabies, but honestly, it’s extremely rare—they’re not a common source of human infection. So, a squirrel bite isn’t likely to give you rabies, but you should still take any bite seriously and clean it up right away.
Let’s talk about how rabies spreads, what to watch for in squirrels, and what you should do if one bites you.
Stick around for some simple steps to help keep you and your pets safe. No need to be scared of wildlife if you know what to look out for.
Do Squirrels Have Rabies?
Squirrels can catch rabies, but they almost never pass it to people.
If a squirrel bites or scratches you, take it seriously and clean the wound right away.
Can Squirrels Get Rabies?
Yes, they can. Any warm-blooded mammal can catch the rabies virus.
Squirrels usually get rabies only if an infected animal—like a raccoon or bat—bites them. Infection in squirrels is rare and you often can’t tell without lab testing.
If you see a squirrel acting weirdly tame, unusually aggressive, or just out of it, that could mean rabies or some other illness. Try not to touch animals behaving strangely.
If you get bitten or scratched badly, see a doctor. Sometimes doctors recommend rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), depending on the details.
Rabies Transmission in Squirrels
Rabies spreads through saliva and nervous tissue, usually by bites.
The main risk from a squirrel comes from a bite that breaks your skin, or if their saliva gets into a wound or your eyes, nose, or mouth. Scratches that don’t break skin are a lot less risky.
Bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes are much more common rabies carriers than squirrels. Still, you should always wash any bite or scratch with soap and water for at least 15 minutes and talk to a doctor.
If the squirrel was acting odd, let health professionals and animal control know.
How Common Is Rabies in Squirrels?
It’s super rare for squirrels to have rabies.
Studies and public health reports show almost no confirmed cases in squirrels compared to other mammals. In the U.S., small rodents like squirrels almost never cause human rabies cases.
Since it’s so rare, public health agencies don’t see squirrels as a major rabies problem. But, if you live somewhere with lots of wildlife rabies, stay extra careful and keep your pets’ vaccines current for rabies and other things like leptospirosis.
Signs, Risks, and Prevention
Let’s cover how to spot rabies in squirrels, the actual risks for people and pets, and some easy prevention steps.
Here’s what you can do right away to help protect yourself and your animals.
Symptoms of Rabies in Squirrels
Watch out for sudden, odd changes in how squirrels act.
If a normally jumpy squirrel suddenly seems bold, aggressive, or not scared of people, it might be sick. Sometimes, rabid squirrels look really tired, stumble around, or can’t move parts of their bodies.
Keep an eye out for weird movement—like uncoordinated hopping, circling, or struggling to climb. Sometimes young or hurt squirrels act strange just from injury, so check for wounds or signs of a fall before assuming it’s rabies.
Don’t try to handle a squirrel that’s drooling, foaming, or can’t swallow. If you see these signs, especially with aggression or paralysis, keep your distance and note where and when you saw the animal so you can report it.
Risks to Humans and Pets
Your risk of catching rabies from a squirrel is really low, but not zero.
Rabies spreads through saliva, mostly from bites and, in rare cases, scratches that get into open wounds or your eyes, nose, or mouth. If a squirrel bites you or your pet, don’t ignore it.
Pets like cats and small dogs are more likely to get bitten since they sometimes chase or fight squirrels. If a squirrel has rabies, it could pass the virus to your pet, and then your pet could put you at risk.
Make sure your pets get their rabies shots on schedule.
Kids and people who handle wildlife or care for baby squirrels face higher risk. If you find a baby squirrel that seems weirdly calm or hurt, don’t touch it—call wildlife control or a rehabber.
If you absolutely have to move it, use gloves and be extra careful.
Preventing Rabies From Squirrels
Don’t feed wild squirrels or leave food where they can get it.
Keep trash, bird feeders, and pet food locked up so squirrels aren’t tempted to hang around your house. Seal up any holes in your home or attic to keep squirrels from moving in.
Make sure your pets are vaccinated and watch them when they’re outside, especially early in the morning or at dusk when wildlife is out and about. Teach kids never to touch wild animals, even if they look cute or helpless.
If you find a sick or dead squirrel, call animal control instead of handling it yourself.
See a squirrel acting aggressive or just plain odd in your neighborhood? Report it to wildlife control.
They can test for lyssavirus (rabies virus family) and remove the animal safely. The best prevention is to limit contact and keep vaccinations up to date.
What To Do If Bitten By a Squirrel
Start by washing the wound right away with soap and running water. Really scrub it for at least 15 minutes, even if it stings.
Apply some pressure if you see bleeding. Once the bleeding stops, cover the area with a clean bandage. Quick cleaning can lower your risk of infection and might help protect you from rabies or other nasty germs.
Don’t wait—get medical help as soon as you can. A healthcare provider will look at the wound and figure out if you need rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). This could mean getting human rabies immune globulin and a series of vaccine shots.
Make sure to tell the clinician exactly what happened and where you got bitten. They might need to report the incident or test the animal, if that’s possible.
If a squirrel bites your pet, separate your pet from others and call your veterinarian right away. The vet will check your pet’s vaccination history and could recommend a booster shot or even quarantine.
Let local wildlife control know what happened. If it’s safe, they’ll try to capture and test the squirrel.
