Most dog owners never expect their dogs to bite someone. Yet every year, America sees roughly 4.5 million dog bites, about 800,000 of which require medical attention. This is why it\u2019s so important to understand the risks of dog bites and what you can do to prevent them.<\/p>
In this article, we\u2019ll cover who is most at risk for dog bites, how to mitigate those risks, and what you should do if your dog bites someone. We\u2019ll end by discussing the diseases that may lurk in your pup\u2019s saliva and when to seek medical attention.<\/p>
While most dogs make great companions<\/a>, any one of them can bite. Sometimes dog bites feel out of the blue, but dogs always bite for a reason<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p> Here we\u2019ll cover the most common reasons for dog bites: <\/p> Most aggressive dog behavior comes from a place of fear. Dogs bite if they believe someone who might pose a threat is too close to their personal space.<\/p> A dog that\u2019s startled or confused by a sudden noise or presence can respond with a snap. Especially if your dog has been sleeping, your pup may react defensively to a sudden confusing encounter.<\/p> Sometimes dogs bite when they believe something valuable might be taken away. If your dog has a toy or a treat it\u2019s holding onto, sometimes it\u2019s best to keep your distance.<\/p> Dogs bite and mouth each other while playing. When playing with humans, your dog might not understand how much biting is OK. You can address this with training.<\/p> Dogs are much more likely to bite when they are in pain or stressed out. Even dogs that are very tolerant of people might get overwhelmed if they are sick or injured. Be very careful if your dog seems stressed, sick, or injured.<\/p> Not everyone carries equal risk for dog attacks. Unsurprisingly, people with dogs at home<\/a> are most likely to find their hands turned into chew toys. Most dog bites happen with animals familiar to the victim. The more dogs you own<\/a>, the greater your risk.<\/p> Dogs tend to bite children<\/a> more than adults. Kids are also more susceptible to serious injuries when snapped.\u00a0<\/p> Studies have also found dogs bite more men than women. Among adults, anxious people are more at risk than calm ones. However, no one is immune. <\/p> Next, we\u2019ll discuss how anyone can lower their likelihood of dog attacks.<\/p> While your risk will never be zero, here are a few tips to reduce your chance of getting chomped.<\/p> If you ever find yourself on the wrong end of a vicious dog attack<\/a>, remember these tips:<\/p> Dogs sometimes carry disease in their saliva<\/a>. Our furry friends will chew on sticks, dead animals, grass<\/a>, thrown-out food, and any pungent thing lying around in the park. This leads to a buffet of bacteria between their teeth.<\/p> Here are a few of the diseases you can catch from dog bites and their symptoms:<\/p> Rabies is one of the most dangerous diseases communicable by dogs. Fatal if not treated, this viral infection<\/a> attacks the brain and central nervous system. <\/p> Rabies symptoms include:<\/p> Fortunately, this virus is extremely rare. With only one to three reported U.S. cases a year, catching rabies is like winning the lottery. Except the prize is terrible.<\/p> If caught in time, rabies responds well to treatment. Your chance of death is slim. Still, be careful if you\u2019re bitten by a dog that foamed at the mouth, behaved erratically, or had not been vaccinated. Seek immediate medical attention if you think you might have been exposed.<\/p> Speaking of diseases that attack the central nervous system, you should also probably watch out for tetanus after a dog bite. <\/p> Tetanus spreads by bacterial infection and causes: <\/p> Tetanus mostly appears in wounds or punctures infected with feces or saliva. The spores of Clostridium tetani<\/em>, the culprit organism, can survive a long time outside the body before getting into wounds.<\/p> Like rabies, tetanus can kill you if not treated in time. Tetanus is also relatively rare, with only about 30 U.S. cases a year. Your best defense against tetanus is vaccination<\/a>, as unfortunately, this disease is difficult to treat and often takes months of aggressive antibiotics.<\/p> Afraid<\/h3>
Startled<\/h3>
Protecting \/ Guarding<\/h3>
Playing<\/h3>
In Pain or Stress<\/h3>
Who is Most at Risk for Dog Bites?<\/h2>
Lowering Your Risk of Dog Bites<\/h2>
What To Do When a Dog Bites You<\/h2>
Protect Yourself During the Attack: <\/h3>
Treat the Wounds <\/h3>
See a Healthcare Provider if:<\/h3>
Report the Bite<\/h3>
Diseases Transmittable by Dog Bites<\/h2>
Rabies<\/h3>
Tetanus<\/h3>
Pasteurella<\/h3>