While dogs and wildlife can often exist together without any issues, sometimes contact between the two can have negative impacts on these populations. Here are a few highlights a few challenges that can arise from contact between dogs and wildlife.

Disease Transmission

Diseases can be transmitted from wildlife to dogs, and some potentially from dogs to humans. Some diseases to be aware of include Rabies, Leptospirosis, Echinococcosis, Giardiasis, and Racoon Roundworm.

Physical Injury

Dogs interacting with wildlife can be life threatening for both dogs and wildlife. Potential injuries include bites, cuts and scrapes, and even broken bones.

Wildlife Impacts

Dogs can displace wildlife. This can result in movement of wildlife into areas with humans, which can increase the possibility of negative human-wildlife encounters. The presence of dogs can disturb natural wildlife behaviors, which can result in stress in wildlife that can end up negatively impacting their health. The impacts are not always reversible.

For all these reasons, it is important to try and minimize the negative impacts of dogs interacting with wildlife. If your dog has had contact with wildlife, discuss your preventative options with your veterinarian to keep you and your dog healthy.