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PubMed This is a summary of 24 peer-reviewed journal articles Updated
Infectious Disease

Can I Catch Ehrlichiosis From My Dog? | Inciteful Med

At a Glance

You cannot catch ehrlichiosis directly from your dog through bites, saliva, or petting. It is exclusively spread by tick bites. However, your dog's diagnosis is a strong warning sign that infected ticks are in your shared environment, meaning you should take precautions against tick bites.

No, you cannot catch ehrlichiosis directly from your dog. There is no evidence that the bacteria (Ehrlichia) can be transmitted directly from a dog to a human through biting, saliva, or everyday contact like petting or sharing living spaces [1][2]. Ehrlichiosis is exclusively a tick-borne disease, meaning it is spread to humans through the bite of an infected tick [2][1].

However, a dog’s diagnosis is an important warning sign for you and your family. Because dogs spend a lot of time outside in the grass and brush, they often act as a sentinel species—meaning their illness tells you that disease-carrying ticks are active in your local environment [3][4][5].

What Your Dog’s Diagnosis Means for You

While your dog cannot give you the disease, their diagnosis means you are sharing an environment with infected ticks [6][5][3]. If a tick bit your dog in your yard, on a local trail, or at a nearby park, there is a high risk that you or other family members could also be bitten.

Ticks in North America carry several strains of the bacteria that cause ehrlichiosis. While the specific strain that most commonly infects dogs is different from the one that most commonly infects humans, they are often carried by ticks found in the same environments [1][7][8]. Additionally, some strains can infect both humans and dogs, further highlighting the shared risk [9][10]. Some ticks, like the brown dog tick, can even survive and multiply indoors, creating an ongoing risk in and around the home [6][3].

Action Steps to Protect Yourself

Since your dog has been diagnosed with ehrlichiosis, it is important to take precautions to protect the human members of your household from tick bites:

  • Perform daily tick checks: After spending time outdoors, carefully check your entire body for ticks [11][12]. Pay close attention to hidden areas like under the arms, in and around the ears, inside the belly button, behind the knees, and in the hair.
  • Remove ticks immediately: If you find an attached tick, prompt removal is critical to prevent infection [13]. Use clean, fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible, and pull upward with steady, even pressure [14][15][16]. Do not use heat, petroleum jelly, or chemicals, as these can increase the risk of the tick transmitting the bacteria [14][13].
  • Protect your pets: Ensure your dog is on a veterinarian-recommended tick prevention medication, and brush or check them for unattached ticks before allowing them indoors. This reduces the chance of them bringing ticks into your home [3][4].
  • Use insect repellent and treat clothing: When heading into wooded or brushy areas, use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents. You can also treat your outdoor gear and clothing with products containing permethrin for highly effective extra protection [17][18][19].
  • Watch for symptoms: Be aware of the early signs of human ehrlichiosis, which often begin 5 to 14 days (1 to 2 weeks) after a tick bite [20]. These can include fever, chills, severe headache, muscle aches, nausea, or sometimes a rash [1][21].

If you develop these symptoms, see a doctor immediately and mention your recent potential exposure to ticks. Human ehrlichiosis is highly treatable when caught early, and doxycycline is the standard, effective antibiotic treatment [22][23][24].

Common questions in this guide

Can I catch ehrlichiosis directly from my dog?
No, you cannot catch ehrlichiosis directly from your dog through saliva, bites, or close contact. The disease is spread exclusively to both humans and dogs through the bite of an infected tick.
Why is my dog's ehrlichiosis diagnosis important for my health?
Your dog's illness acts as a warning sign that disease-carrying ticks are active in your local environment. If your dog was bitten in your yard or a nearby park, it means you and your family are also at a high risk for tick bites.
What are the symptoms of human ehrlichiosis?
Early signs of human ehrlichiosis usually appear 5 to 14 days after a tick bite. Symptoms can include fever, chills, severe headache, muscle aches, nausea, and sometimes a rash.
How should I remove a tick if I find one on me?
Use clean, fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin's surface as possible, then pull upward with steady, even pressure. Do not use heat, petroleum jelly, or chemicals, as these can increase the risk of the tick transmitting bacteria.
How is human ehrlichiosis treated?
Human ehrlichiosis is highly treatable when it is caught early. The standard and most effective treatment is a course of the antibiotic doxycycline.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

Curated prompts to bring to your next appointment.

  1. 1.Are there specific tick-borne diseases, like ehrlichiosis or Lyme disease, that are particularly common in our local area?
  2. 2.If I develop flu-like symptoms, how quickly should I come in for an evaluation, and what specific tests should we run?
  3. 3.What tick repellent or preventive measures do you most strongly recommend for humans living in high-risk areas?
  4. 4.Should we consider preemptive antibiotic treatment if I find an engorged tick attached to me?

Questions For You

Tap a prompt to share your answer — we'll use it plus this page's context to start a tailored conversation.

Related questions

Can Ehrlichiosis Become Chronic? Post-Infection FatigueCan You Get Ehrlichiosis More Than Once?Can You Have Ehrlichiosis Without a Rash or Tick Bite?Does Doxycycline for Ehrlichiosis Stain Kids' Teeth?How is Ehrlichiosis Treated During Pregnancy?How Long Does a Tick Take to Transmit Ehrlichiosis?Should You Wait for Ehrlichiosis Test Results?What Blood Tests Are Needed After Ehrlichiosis Treatment?What is Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis in Ehrlichiosis?What's the Alternative to Doxycycline for Ehrlichiosis?

References

References (24)
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    Human monocytotropic ehrlichiosis-A systematic review and analysis of the literature.

    Gygax L, Schudel S, Kositz C, et al.

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    PMID: 39093857
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    Atypical presentation of human ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis in children in Israel.

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    Epidemiological link between canine monocytic ehrlichiosis caused by Ehrlichia canis and the presence of Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu stricto in Argentina.

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    Parasitology research 2021; (120(2)):725-729 doi:10.1007/s00436-020-07005-7.

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    Ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis subcommittee report to the Tick-borne Disease Working Group.

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    Ticks and tick-borne diseases 2021; (12(6)):101823 doi:10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101823.

    PMID: 34517150
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    Ehrlichia canis rapid spread and possible enzooty in northern South Australia and distribution of its vector Rhipicephalus linnaei.

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    Molecular Evidence of Ehrlichia canis (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae) in Ticks (Ixodida: Ixodidae) Associated with Dogs (Carnivora: Canidae) from Nuevo Leon, Mexico.

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This page is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. If you have been bitten by a tick or develop flu-like symptoms, consult your healthcare provider immediately.

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