Download FREE Practo app
Get ₹200 HealthCash
Ate dog sniffed food
Hi,
I am 34 M based in UK. I was travelling in train and having chips suddenly a dog came out of nowhere and sniffed the chips packet. Not sure if traces of its saliva touched the chips. I ate the chips. Will I get Rabbies from this?
Thanks in advance
Answers (18)
Get your queries answered instantly with Care AI FREE
20000+ health queries resolved in last month
Most probably you are safe
Since rabies virus wouldn't be absorbed from the gut
But allergic reactions might happen
So take a CBC just to be sure
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Didn't find the answer you are looking for?
Talk to experienced doctor online and get your health questions answered in just 5 minutes.
+167
If you want to discuss your problem in more detail, feel free to message me on WhatsApp at nine one one nine two five five six nine nine for a detailed free discussion
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Rabies not occur by oral route ,, don't worry
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Don't worry, you won't
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
No, don't worry. Relax
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Not at all.without bite or scratch or broken skin how can rabies virus enter your body ? So no worry ,you are safe.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
— this situation does NOT pose a rabies risk.
Rabies transmission requires:
• A bite that breaks skin
• Saliva entering an open wound
• Saliva contacting mucous membranes (eyes, mouth) directly
In your case:
• The dog only sniffed the chips packet
• No bite
• No scratch
• No direct saliva contact into wound
Even if microscopic saliva touched the chips, rabies virus:
• Does not survive well outside the body
• Gets inactivated quickly in the environment
• Is destroyed by drying and exposure
Also important:
You are in the UK, which is classified as rabies-free in terrestrial animals (dogs do not carry rabies domestically).
This scenario does not require vaccination.
Next Steps
✔ No rabies vaccine needed
✔ No testing required
✔ No medical action required
Only seek medical advice if:
• You were bitten
• Skin was broken
• There was direct saliva contact with open wound
Otherwise, this is not considered an exposure.
Health Tips
✔ Avoid feeding or interacting with stray animals
✔ Wash hands after handling food in public places
✔ Do not panic over indirect contact scenarios
✔ Remember: rabies requires direct exposure
Your situation carries no realistic transmission risk.
If you are experiencing repeated anxiety about rabies exposure in low-risk situations, I can help you understand actual risk categories clearly and break this worry cycle.
Booking an online consultation can give you structured reassurance and evidence-based guidance so you don’t stay stressed unnecessarily.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Can help you, kindly consult and provide detailed history for proper diagnosis and further management
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Hello,
Rabies does not spread by smelling or sniffing food. It spreads through direct bite, scratch, or fresh saliva entering an open wound.
In your case, the dog only sniffed the chips packet and you later ate the chips. This is not considered a rabies exposure. Even if there were minimal saliva traces on the packet, rabies virus does not survive well outside the body and is not transmitted by eating food.
What you should do:
• No rabies vaccine is required for this incident.
• Just observe your health normally.
• Seek medical care only if you had a bite or open wound exposure.
There is no need to worry about rabies in this situation.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Please consult .
Answered
Flag this answer
0/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Gaurav Jaiswal
General Physician
7 yrs exp
Jhansi
Avoid fried and spicy food
Water intake more
Green vegetables more
Fiber meal
Walk
Do connect and consult
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Ravi Kumar Nadella
General Physician
18 yrs exp
Hyderabad
No
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Ashita Kuruvilla
General Practitioner
8 yrs exp
Kolkata
Need few more details for further evaluation. Kindly consult
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Rachna Pande
Internal Medicine
42 yrs exp
Bhopal
No risk.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Sajid Ali
General Practitioner
4 yrs exp
Kanpur
Relax, don't worry
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Vetsa Sri Krishna Chaitanya
General Physician
7 yrs exp
Rajahmundry
Need a few more details please consult for further evaluation and treatment
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Kamal Kumar
General Physician
7 yrs exp
Rewari
No
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Suraj Sharma
General Practitioner
4 yrs exp
Jaipur
Do consult
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Articles you may like
Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
The question asked on this page is a free question. You can ask a free health question by downloading the Practo app.
Articles you may like
Tell us what's troubling you
Tell us what's troubling you
Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.