How to Treat a Cat Bite

Co-authored by Chris M. Matsko, MD and Annabelle Reyes

Last Updated: July 11, 2024 Fact Checked

Most cat bites occur when cat owners are bitten by their pets. But even if your cat has all their shots, it is important to take care of the wound and monitor it closely so you will notice immediately if it starts to get infected. Cats have long fangs, so their bites can be deep and prone to infection.^{[1]
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Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Cleaning Minor Bites at Home

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1
Assess the severity of the bite. Sometimes cats just give warning nips without breaking the skin, but other times the bites can result in deep punctures from their fangs.^{[2]
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- Inspect the bite and look for areas where the skin may have been broken.
- Keep in mind that a child may be crying and scared, even if the bite did not break the skin.
2
If the bite is from your own cat and is shallow, wash it at home. If your cat’s teeth did not break the skin, or if they broke the skin but did not puncture it deeply, you should be able to clean the bite at home.^{[3]
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- Thoroughly wash the bite with soap and clean tap water, allowing the water to flow over the bite and remove dirt from the wound.^{[4]
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  Go to source} Hold the bite under running water for several minutes.
- Gently squeeze the bite to help the blood flow. This will help remove dirt and bacteria from the inside of the wound.^{[5]
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- Note: For bites from your own cat that puncture the skin deeply, or for any bite from an unknown cat, you’ll need to seek out medical attention with a healthcare provider to prevent infection.^{[6]
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3
Prevent infection in a minor bite by applying an over-the-counter antibiotic cream. Smear a pea-sized amount of topical antibiotic cream over all areas where the skin was broken.^{[7]
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- Triple antibiotic creams are widely available and effective.^{[8]
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  PubMed Central
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- Talk to a doctor before using these medications on infants or if you are pregnant.
4
Protect the wound with a band aid. This will help keep dirt and bacteria out as it heals. Cover all areas where the skin was broken with a clean bandage.^{[9]
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- Because cat bites usually cover a small area, you will probably be able to cover it with an over-the-counter adhesive Band Aid.
- Dry the bite completely first, to help the Band Aid stick.

Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Seek Medical Care for Severe Bites

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Go to the doctor if your bite is too serious for you to care for it adequately. This includes bites that:^{[10]
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- Are on the face
- Bleed a lot and won’t stop
- Have damaged tissue that needs to be removed
- Are on joints, ligaments, or tendons
- Have deep puncture wounds from the cat’s fangs
- Are from an unknown or unfamiliar cat^{[11]
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Discuss your treatment options with your doctor. Depending on your particular bite and health condition, your doctor may:^{[12]
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- Close wounds to stop bleeding
- Remove dead tissue to prevent infection
- Do X-rays to assess damage to joints
- Recommend reconstructive surgery if you have severe damage or risk of scars
3
Take antibiotics if your doctor prescribes them. This can help reduce your chances of getting an infection. They are frequently prescribed for severe cat bites, particularly for people who have weakened immune systems from conditions like diabetes or HIV, or are undergoing chemotherapy.^{[13]
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- Amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin) is generally acknowledged to be the antibiotic of choice for cat bites.^{[14]
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Part 3

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Determining the Risk of Disease Transmission

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Determine the cat’s immunization status. Unvaccinated cats may be infected with diseases that can be transmitted through bites and are dangerous for people. ^{[15]
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- If the cat is a pet, consult the owner about whether the cat is up-to-date on its shots. If the cat is yours, check your records to see when it was last vaccinated.
- Go to the doctor immediately if the cat is wild, feral, or you can’t confirm that it was up-to-date on its shots.^{[16]
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  Research source} Even if the cat looked healthy, you should still go to the doctor if you can't confirm that the cat had its shots. The cat could still have been carrying a disease, but just not have been symptomatic.
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Get vaccinated if necessary. People who have been bitten by cats are at risk for several diseases.^{[17]
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Go to source} Your doctor may recommend you be vaccinated for:
- Rabies. While some animals with rabies may be clearly ill, including the classic symptom of foaming at the mouth, the disease can be transmitted before the symptoms become obvious. If there is a chance you were infected with rabies, the doctor will vaccinate you against the infection.^{[18]
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- Tetanus. Tetanus is caused by bacteria in dirt and animal feces. This means that if your wound looks dirty or deep, and you haven’t had a tetanus shot within the last five years, your doctor may give you one to be sure that you won’t get infected.^{[19]
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3
Monitor the wound for signs of infection. Go to the doctor immediately if you have any of the following signs of infection: ^{[20]
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- Redness
- Swelling
- Increasing pain over time
- Pus or fluid coming from the wound
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Fever
- Chills and shivering

Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Preventing Cat Bites

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Learn how to recognize when cats are feeling threatened. Most cat bites occur when cats feel that they have to defend themselves. If you have pet cats, teach your children to understand your cats' body language. A cat that is scared may:^{[21]
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American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
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- Hiss
- Growl
- Lay his ears flat against his head
- Display piloerection, in which the fur stands up, making the cat look bigger than usual
2
Be gentle to cats. Avoid playing rough with cats to prevent bites and scratches.^{[22]
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Research source} Frequent situations in which a cat may become aggressive include:
- When she is cornered
- If her tail is pulled
- If she is held when she is struggling to get away
- If she is startled or hurt
- During rough play. Instead of allowing your cat to wrestle with your hands or feet, drag a string and let the cat chase that.^{[23]
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Avoid interacting with stray cats. Strays often live in cities or towns, but they may not be used to close contact with humans. They can pose a risk to your health, so don’t try to pet them or pick them up.^{[24]
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- Don't feed stray or feral cats in areas where they will come into contact with children.
- Cats that are not used to people may react unpredictably.

Expert Q&A

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Question

I have a minor cat bite on my finger. Is this a serious problem?

Chris M. Matsko, MD
Family Medicine Physician
Dr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With over 25 years of medical research experience, Dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh Cornell University Leadership Award for Excellence. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. Dr. Matsko earned a Research Writing Certification from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) in 2016 and a Medical Writing & Editing Certification from the University of Chicago in 2017.

Chris M. Matsko, MD

Family Medicine Physician

Expert Answer

No, I would put some antibiotic ointment on it and a bandage and keep it covered. If the bite gets worse or shows signs of infection then you should see a doctor.

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If you’re concerned about infection, always air on the side of caution and contact your doctor. They may prescribe you prophylactic antibiotics to be safe.^{[25]
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