Can Dogs Get Malaria?
The real mosquito threat to dogs is heartworm, which prevention easily guards against.
No, dogs do not get human malaria. The malaria parasite that infects people is not carried to dogs by mosquitoes. However, dogs can get other serious mosquito-borne and tick-borne diseases, most importantly heartworm, plus tick-borne illnesses like babesiosis that are sometimes loosely compared to malaria. Prevention still matters a great deal.
The Facts
Key points
- Human malaria parasites do not infect dogs
- Mosquitoes still matter because they spread heartworm
- Some tick-borne diseases resemble malaria in how they attack blood cells
- Prevention protects against the diseases that do threaten dogs
What Dogs Really Face
- Heartworm. A mosquito-borne, potentially fatal disease, and the top concern.
- Babesiosis. A tick-borne illness that damages red blood cells.
- Other tick diseases. Such as Lyme disease and ehrlichiosis.
- All preventable. Good parasite control guards against them.
How to Protect Your Dog
- Use heartworm prevention. A year-round preventive is essential.
- Control ticks. Keep up effective tick prevention too.
- Repel insects. Use a dog-safe repellent, never one with DEET.
- Avoid peak times. Skip walks at dawn and dusk in mosquito season.
- Remove standing water. Empty containers where mosquitoes breed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dogs catch malaria from mosquitoes?
No. The malaria parasites that infect humans are not transmitted to dogs, so dogs do not get human malaria. However, mosquitoes still pose a serious threat to dogs because they transmit heartworm, which is why prevention against mosquito-borne disease still matters.
What mosquito-borne disease should I worry about instead?
Heartworm is the big one. Spread by infected mosquitoes, heartworms grow in the heart and lungs and can be fatal if untreated. It is far more relevant to dogs than malaria, and it is easily prevented with a year-round vet-recommended heartworm preventive.
Are there malaria-like diseases in dogs?
Yes. Some tick-borne diseases, such as babesiosis, attack red blood cells in a way that is sometimes loosely compared to malaria, causing fever, weakness and anemia. These are spread by ticks, not mosquitoes, and are prevented with good tick control.
How do I protect my dog from these diseases?
Keep your dog on year-round heartworm prevention and effective tick control, use a dog-safe insect repellent, avoid walks at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes swarm, and remove standing water where they breed. These simple steps guard against the diseases that really threaten dogs.
⚠️ Emergency? If your dog may have swallowed something toxic or is seriously unwell, contact your vet or a pet poison helpline immediately (in the US, the Pet Poison Helpline is 855-764-7661).
Sources: American Kennel Club (akc.org), VCA Animal Hospitals (vcahospitals.com) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (avma.org). This guide is for general information and is not a substitute for advice from your own veterinarian. See our editorial & review policy.
