AUSTIN, Texas (Sept. 22, 2025) – Rabies may seem like a distant threat, but it hasn’t gone away. This year has seen new animal rabies cases in
Texas,
Maryland,
North Carolina and
Connecticut, reminding us that the deadly virus is still a danger to unvaccinated pets.
The
New York Times recently reported that vaccine skepticism has become common among pet owners. A
2023 survey of 2,200 U.S. dog owners found that 52% were hesitant to vaccinate their dogs, and 37% believed vaccines were unsafe.
Ahead of World Rabies Day on Sept. 28, veterinarians at Thrive Pet Healthcare are setting the record straight on common myths about rabies risk, vaccination rules and testing limitations.
“We see far too many pet owners delay rabies boosters or skip them entirely because they think the risk is low,” said Dr. Anthony Coronado, veterinarian and Vice President of Emergency Medicine at Thrive Pet Healthcare. “Rabies is almost always fatal to your unvaccinated pets once symptoms appear, and it only takes one bite from an infected animal.”
7 Common Myths About Rabies
Myth 1: Only wild animals such as raccoons or bats carry rabies.
Fact: Bats, raccoons, foxes and skunks are the top carriers in the United States, but unvaccinated dogs, cats and livestock also can get rabies and spread it. Each year, around 60 to 70 dogs and more than 250 cats are diagnosed with rabies nationwide.
Myth 2: My indoor cat doesn’t need a rabies shot.
Fact: Even indoor pets are at risk. Bats, the leading cause of human rabies in the United States, can enter homes unnoticed. One exposure is all it takes.
Myth 3: You can test a pet for rabies while it’s still alive.
Fact: There is no reliable test for rabies in live animals. Diagnosis requires brain tissue testing after death. Prevention is the only defense.
Myth 4: If my pet gets bitten, I’ll know right away if it’s rabies.
Fact: Rabies can incubate for weeks or months. Infected animals may show subtle behavioral changes like unusual aggression or lethargy before more severe symptoms appear. Once symptomatic, rabies is almost universally fatal.
Myth 5: I can skip or delay the rabies vaccine if my pet isn’t around wildlife.
Fact: Rabies doesn’t always come from the woods. In 2025, rabid animals have been found in city neighborhoods, backyards and near schools.
“Don’t wait for an exposure or a local outbreak to get serious about rabies prevention,” said Dr. Coronado. “If your pet is bitten, a current rabies vaccination can mean the difference between a booster shot and a heartbreaking quarantine or euthanasia order.”
Myth 6: Rabies vaccines aren’t legally required everywhere.
Fact: Rabies vaccination is legally required for dogs in all 50 states and for cats in most states. Local laws may vary, but skipping the vaccine could bring fines or worse if an exposure occurs.
Myth 7: My pet got the three-year rabies vaccine, so I’m good for three years no matter what.
Fact: Some localities require annual rabies vaccination regardless of the vaccine used. Others honor three-year vaccines only if they’re administered on time. A lapse may reset the schedule. Check with your veterinarian.
Protecting Your Pet Protects Your Community
If your pet has contact with a potentially rabid animal or gets bitten by wildlife, contact your veterinarian immediately. If you believe you’ve been exposed, seek medical care without delay.
All Thrive Pet Healthcare primary care hospitals offer rabies vaccines. To find your nearest location and urgent or emergency veterinary care, visit
ThrivePetCare.com.
