What is kynophobia?

Cynophobia is the fear of all canines, such as dogs, foxes, wolves, coyotes, jackals, dingoes, and dholes. But what is kynophobia?

Kynophobia is the fear of rabies.

What is rabies?

Rabies is a viral disease that spreads to humans and mammals through the saliva of infected animals. An animal with rabies is a rabid animal.

Rabies is infectious and causes inflammation of the brain. It is spread when an infected or rabid animal bites or scratches a human or other animal. Saliva from the infected animal can also be transmitted if the saliva touches the eyes, mouth, or nose. Humans can get a vaccination (injection) against rabies.

Dogs and bats are the most common animals that get and spread rabies. Other animals that can get rabies include rodents, such as rats and mice.

Rabies is rare in humans, especially in the Americas, Europe, Australia, and the Pacific, but some humans have a fear of rabies. They have kynophobia. They are kynophobic. 

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM