Is it only when a person is bitten by a rabid dog that they can get rabies?

Generally speaking, rabies is not transmitted only by bites from dogs with rabies. Other animals carrying the rabies virus may also spread the disease, and the virus can even be transmitted indirectly through specific routes. The details are as follows:

Besides dogs with rabies, other mammals such as cats, bats, foxes, and wolves may also carry the rabies virus. If scratched or bitten by these animals, the virus can enter the human body through wounds. Among them, cats pose the second-highest transmission risk after dogs. Bats require particular caution due to their wide variety of carried viruses and highly concealed transmission patterns. Even animals that appear healthy may still be infectious if they are in the virus's incubation period.

The rabies virus can also spread through broken skin or mucous membranes—for example, by contact with saliva, blood, or other secretions from infected animals, or by injuries caused by objects contaminated with these secretions. Therefore, it's important not only to avoid bites from suspicious animals but also to wash hands promptly after contact with animals and take protective measures when handling animal wounds.

In daily life, avoid contact with stray or wild mammals. Domestic pets should receive rabies vaccinations regularly. If scratched or bitten by an animal, regardless of whether the animal shows abnormal behavior, immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water, disinfect it with iodine, and seek rabies vaccination as soon as possible.