Can you get rabies from eating food without washing your hands after petting a dog?

Under normal circumstances, eating food without washing hands after touching a healthy dog that does not carry the rabies virus will not lead to rabies infection. However, if you touch a dog carrying the rabies virus or come into contact with a dog's saliva and then eat without washing your hands, there is a risk of contracting rabies. The detailed analysis is as follows:

If the dog you touched has been regularly vaccinated and is in good health, it likely does not carry the rabies virus. Even if your skin comes into direct contact with the dog’s fur and you eat without washing your hands, any small amount of bacteria or dirt on your hands would be killed by stomach acid in the digestive tract, and rabies will not develop. In such cases, there is no need for excessive concern.

However, if the dog is a stray, unvaccinated, or shows abnormal symptoms such as agitation, photophobia (fear of light), it has a high likelihood of carrying the rabies virus. If you come into contact with such a dog's saliva, the virus may adhere to your hands. Eating without washing your hands afterward allows the virus to potentially enter your body through broken oral mucosa or minor wounds in the digestive tract, thereby increasing the risk of infection.

To reduce the risk, always thoroughly wash your hands with soap and running water after touching any dog. Regularly vaccinate pet dogs against rabies, and avoid contact with unfamiliar or behaviorally abnormal dogs. These routine preventive measures can effectively interrupt the transmission routes of rabies.