Rabies is a potentially fatal viral disease that attacks the nervous system of warm-blooded animals, including humans.

A bite from an infected animal is the most common way rabies is spread. It can also spread when infected saliva comes into contact with a scratch, open wound or your mouth, nose or eyes.

Health care providers, including veterinarians, can find rabies information on the vector and animal-borne disease page.

On this page:

• Symptoms of rabies in animals
• How to prevent bites, scratches and other exposures
• Protect your pet from rabies
• What to do if you are bitten or scratched by an animal or if you've had contact with a bat
• What does Public Health do in a rabies investigation?
• People at higher risk for rabies
• Additional resources

Symptoms of rabies in animals

• A change in behaviour
  • More quiet or depressed
  • Unusually friendly when normally timid
  • More aggressive toward people, animals, objects, or even its own body
• Loss of appetite, or difficulty eating or drinking
• Barking or meowing differently
• Excessive drool
• Biting the site of the wound where it was exposed to rabies
• Overreacting to touch, sound or light
• Staggering or falling
• Becoming partially or completely unable to move

How to prevent bites, scratches and other exposures 

• Do not touch sick or injured animals
• Do not approach or touch wild or unfamiliar animals, even if they seem friendly
• Do not feed wild or stray animals
• Keep bats out of your home
• Assume that any bat you see has rabies
• Advise children to stay away from bats and ask them to tell you if they have had contact with bats

Protect your pets from rabies

All dogs and cats three months of age and older must be vaccinated against rabies as required by the Rabies Immunization Regulation. Get your pet vaccinated at a rabies vaccine clinic or find a veterinarian.

• Keep your pet away from wild animals that may carry rabies, such as raccoons, foxes and skunks or other unfamiliar pets
• Know where your pet is at all times when outdoors
• Keep your pets on a leash, especially when walking on trails
• Keep pets indoors at night and don't feed them outside where food can attract wildlife
• If your livestock will come in contact with people other than the usual caregivers (i.e petting zoos, pony rides), they must be vaccinated. Livestock includes animals such as: horses, cows, bull, steer, calf, sheep

What to do if you are bitten or scratched by an animal or if you've had contact with a bat

• If the animal has an owner, get their contact information so that Public Health can follow up with them
• Immediately wash the area thoroughly with soap and water to reduce the chance of infection
• Call your family doctor, urgent care facility, or hospital emergency department
• Report the bite, scratch or contact with a bat to Public Health at 519-575-4400, or report online through the Animal Bite Reporting Form

If your pet bites or scratches someone:

• Give your name and contact information to the person bitten or scratched
• A Public Health inspector will contact you to gather information on your pet and discuss the next steps

What does Public Health do in a rabies investigation?

When notified of a biting incident, Public Health inspectors will find out if there is a risk of rabies exposure.

• If the animal involved can be located:
  • The Public Health inspector will place the animal under observation in the animal owner’s home for at least 10 days to make sure it doesn’t show any signs of rabies.
  • During the confinement period, the animal must:
    • Not have contact with people and other animals, except for the usual household residents
    • Be kept on a leash and under direct control at all times when taken out for a walk
    • Not have any vaccinations until after the confinement period has ended
    • Not under any circumstances be released from the owners care or destroyed (except for humane purposes as determined by a veterinarian)
• If the animal involved cannot be found or if the animal involved is a wild animal:
  • The Public Health inspector will work with the person who was bitten, and their physician, to ensure proper post-exposure care.
    • This may include rabies vaccination for protection from the rabies virus.
• If the animal involved has died:
  • The Public Health inspector will request that the animal undergo testing for the rabies virus. 

People at higher risk for rabies

• Travellers - Speak with your doctor about pre-travel vaccination if you will be travelling to a country where rabies is a concern
• People working closely with animals (e.g. veterinarians, animal control officers)
• Spelunkers

Additional resources

• Animal Bite Reporting Form
• Public Health Ontario Rabies
• Public Health Risks Associated with Dog Importation

The Ministry of Natural Resources is looking for samples, specifically, dead wildlife that were sick or acting strangely that have had no human or domestic animal exposure. Please note that the head and brain must be intact for it to be testable. Please call the Wildlife Health Information Line at 1-888-574-6656 or email rabies@ontario.ca.