Armadillos & Dog Safety

Armadillos: Danger Assessment

Answer Upfront: Armadillos are generally not aggressive but pose a moderate physical and health risk to curious dogs. They are defensive animals that will scratch or bite only when cornered or attacked by a dog. They are not predators and prefer to flee or curl into their armor when threatened.

Primary Risks: The danger armadillos present falls into two main categories: physical injury and disease exposure. Both risks are amplified by a dog's natural curiosity and hunting instincts.

1. Defensive Injury: Armadillos possess powerful claws designed for digging and burrowing. When threatened, they can use these claws to inflict deep scratches or lacerations on a dog. They also have sharp teeth and will bite if they cannot escape, potentially causing puncture wounds that are highly susceptible to infection.
2. Disease Transmission: Armadillos are the only known wild animal in the United States that naturally carries and transmits Mycobacterium leprae, the bacteria responsible for Hansen’s disease (leprosy) in humans. While transmission to dogs is rare, direct contact with the animal, its burrows, or its feces presents a theoretical risk. Furthermore, armadillos frequently carry common external parasites like fleas and ticks, which can easily transfer to a dog during an encounter.

Key Takeaways for Dog Owners

Armadillos prioritize avoidance; they will flee or curl up before attacking. Their primary defense mechanism is their speed, followed by their bony shell (carapace). They are not equipped for offensive combat against a larger animal like a dog.

Most dog injuries occur when the dog chases, corners, or attacks the armadillo. The dog initiates the conflict, and the armadillo responds defensively. A dog’s natural instinct to sniff, paw, or bite the strange, armored creature triggers the armadillo’s self-preservation response.

While disease transmission (especially leprosy) to dogs is extremely rare, direct contact should always be prevented. The primary concern regarding disease is the potential for the dog to bring parasites or bacteria into the home environment, potentially affecting humans or other pets.

Supervision and leash control are the most effective preventative measures. Since armadillos are nocturnal or crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk), these times require heightened vigilance, especially in areas where armadillos are known to forage.

Preventing Armadillo Encounters

Preventing encounters relies on making your property unattractive to armadillos and maintaining strict control over your dog when outdoors. Armadillos are primarily attracted to yards that offer easy access to food (grubs and insects) and secure shelter.

Yard Management Checklist:

• Secure Fencing: Install fencing that extends underground (or use a concrete footer) to prevent burrowing entry. Armadillos are excellent diggers and can easily tunnel under standard perimeter fences. The underground barrier should ideally extend 12 to 18 inches deep.
• Remove Attractants: Eliminate food sources, particularly grubs and insects, which form the bulk of the armadillo diet. Treating the lawn for these pests makes the yard less appealing for foraging. Avoid leaving pet food outdoors overnight.
• Tidy Yard: Remove brush piles, debris, and low-lying shrubs that provide shelter. Armadillos seek dense, dark areas to rest during the day. Keeping the yard clear reduces potential daytime hiding spots.
• Block Access: Securely close off crawl spaces, porches, decks, and sheds where armadillos might den. Use hardware cloth or solid barriers to seal all openings larger than a few inches.

Outdoor Supervision:

• Always use a leash in areas known for armadillo activity. This is crucial during peak activity hours (dusk and dawn). A leash allows the owner to immediately pull the dog away from a potential encounter before the armadillo is cornered.
• Practice and reinforce "Leave It" and "Come" commands to immediately recall the dog during an encounter. These commands must be reliable, as a quick response is necessary to prevent injury.
• Avoid walking near known burrows or dense, overgrown areas at dusk or dawn. Armadillo burrows often look like large, shallow holes, sometimes surrounded by disturbed dirt.

Risks & When to See a Vet

If an encounter occurs, immediate assessment and potential veterinary intervention are necessary, especially if physical contact was made. Wounds from wild animals carry a high risk of bacterial contamination.

Any puncture wound or deep laceration from a wild animal should be treated as an emergency. Even small wounds can harbor significant bacteria deep beneath the skin, leading to abscesses or systemic infections if not properly cleaned and treated with appropriate antibiotics.