Can Dogs Get Disease From Pet Turtles?

I’ve got two dogs and a few turtles under one roof. It’s cute, sure—but it’s also a health hazard if you’re not careful.

Dogs are curious. Turtles carry bacteria. That combo can go wrong fast.

So the big question is: Can your dog get sick from your pet turtle? Yes. And the risk is higher than you think.

Let me break it all down.

Can Dogs Catch Diseases from Turtles?

Yes, they can.

Turtles can carry bacteria, parasites, and viruses. These can spread through direct contact, dirty water, or even just your dog licking your hand after you’ve cleaned the turtle tank.

The most common and dangerous one? Salmonella.

Dogs can get it by:

• Licking turtles
• Drinking water from the turtle tank
• Eating turtle poop (yep, it happens)

Real Story: What Happened to My Dog

One of my dogs kept hanging around the turtle tank.

I thought it was harmless—until he got sick.
Vomiting, diarrhea, fever, no energy.

Vet ran some tests. It was Salmonella—likely from licking the turtle or drinking from the tank. I had to isolate my turtles and keep the tank area sealed off.

That’s when I started taking this seriously.

Curious about Issues + Turtle Health? Let’s keep it simple and clear. Why Is My Turtle Sleeping Vertically? Normal?

Common Diseases Dogs Can Get from Turtles

Here’s a quick rundown of what turtles can pass to dogs:

Disease	How Dogs Get It	Symptoms	Treatment
Salmonella	Licking turtles, tank water, or contaminated surfaces	Vomiting, diarrhea, fever, tiredness	Vet care, antibiotics, fluids
Campylobacteriosis	Contact with turtle poop	Bloody diarrhea, stomach pain	Medication, hygiene care
Leptospirosis	Drinking turtle tank water with infected urine	Muscle pain, kidney failure, fever	Vaccination, vet treatment
Paratyphoid	Dirty tank water or food	Fever, diarrhea	Vet-prescribed meds, hydration
Mycoplasmosis	Breathing shared air, contaminated surfaces	Coughing, breathing trouble	Antibiotics, cleaning environment
Parasitic infections	Contact with turtle/snake feces	Digestive issues, weight loss	Deworming, vet support

Can a Dog Get Sick Just by Licking a Turtle?

Yes.

Even if your turtle looks healthy and lives in a clean tank, it might still carry salmonella or other bacteria. One lick is all it takes.

Dogs are fast and sneaky. Unless you’re watching 24/7, they might lick a turtle without you even noticing.

So don’t rely on “clean tank = safe turtle.” That’s not how it works.

What If My Dog Ate a Turtle?

This is rare but serious.

If a dog eats a baby turtle, the soft shell can still cause damage. The hard parts can cut up the digestive tract. Plus, there’s the bacterial risk.

Get to the vet immediately. You’ll likely need X-rays and antibiotics.

And if your dog swallowed a full turtle shell? That’s a surgical case.

Are Some Turtles Riskier Than Others?

Yes. Here’s a quick table:

Turtle Type	Disease Risk to Dogs
Red-eared slider	High
Painted turtle	Medium
Snapping turtle	Low (but aggressive)
Box turtle	Medium
Musk turtle	Low

Red-eared sliders are the most common and also the biggest salmonella carriers. Keep that in mind if you have one.

Can Dogs and Turtles Live Together?

Technically yes. But they should never share the same space unsupervised.

Dogs might:

• Lick or bite turtles
• Knock over tanks
• Drink turtle water
• Eat turtle poop

Turtles might:

• Bite puppies if they feel threatened
• Carry bacteria that spread through the air or surfaces

So no, they don’t “get along.” And no amount of training changes that.

Vet Tips for Turtle-Dog Homes

Tip	Why It Matters
Keep pets separate	Avoid direct contact, licking, or aggression
Wash hands after handling	Prevent bacteria transfer to dogs and humans
Clean tanks thoroughly	Dirty tanks are breeding grounds for bacteria
Don’t share supplies	Avoid indirect contact between species
Watch for sickness	Early signs = faster recovery
Consider pet insurance	Infections can cost more than you think