Though cats are soft and cuddly, they may bite or scratch when they’re spooked. When a cat bites, it may not seem like a big deal — it can be cute when they’re playing — but some cat bites can pose significant health risks.
1. Are Cat Bites Dangerous?
Cats carry many bacteria in their mouths capable of causing infections in bite wounds.
Though house cats are often vaccinated against the most serious diseases, like rabies, stray cats aren’t usually vaccinated and can carry several diseases. In fact, the infection rate from a cat bite is fairly high. According to a 2018 research review, infection occurs in about 50 percent of cat bites in children. Roughly 400,000 cat bites occur in the United States each year. Cat bites with infections can become not only painful, but also red or discolored, and swollen. If left untreated, cat bite infections can spread to other parts of the body, causing a condition called septicemia (blood poisoning), which requires hospitalization. In rare cases, these infections can be fatal.
2. Diseases that can be carried by cats
There are tons of dangerous bacteria flourishing inside a cat’s mouth. Cats’ teeth are sharp and pointy. When they bite you, they are essentially injecting bacteria deep into your skin’s tissue.
The puncture hole can quickly seal over and trap bacteria from the cat’s mouth under your skin.
The warm and dark inner layers of your skin are optimal for the growth of the bacteria. Skin infections, known as cellulitis, can occur quickly after a bite.
Here are some of the potential infectious diseases that can happen after a cat bite:
Pasteurella multocida
Pasteurella multocida is a type of bacteria frequently found in the mouths of cats that can cause infections after a bite or scratch.
In fact, a 2013 research review showed that Pasteurella is the most common organism isolated from both cat and dog bites. Immunocompromised people are at a higher risk of developing a severe infection from these bacteria.
Cat scratch disease
Cat scratch disease (CSD) (also known as cat scratch fever) is an infection caused by the bacteria Bartonella henselae. CSD is transmitted when a cat carrying the infection: scratches, bites, licks
The following animals are at the highest risk of carrying the infection:
kittens less than 1 year old
cats that hunt
stray cats
flea-infested cats
It’s important to know that CSD is most common in children. According to Poison Control, CSD is usually not serious, but people with weakened immune systems are at risk of developing a more serious infection.
Rabies
Cats, like many other mammals, can carry rabies. This virus is almost always fatal when untreated, but it’s extremely rare. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are only 1 to 3 casesTrusted Source in the United States each year.
Most domestic cats are already vaccinated against rabies. If you know the cat that’s bitten you has a rabies vaccine, it’s unlikely that you’ll contract rabies. But if an unvaccinated cat has bitten you, you must take the bite seriously. Once symptoms are present, rabies is typically fatal. You may need to begin rabies treatment if the cat that’s bitten you shows any rabies symptoms. If you’re bitten by a stray, it may be necessary to capture the animal so it can be observed.
Don’t try to capture the cat yourself. Instead, call the animal control office in your area.
If you can’t capture the cat, you might need to start rabies vaccination as a precaution.
Tetanus
Tetanus is a serious infection caused by a bacterium called Clostridium tetani. It’s recommended that you have a tetanus booster after a cat bite if it’s been more than 5 years since you’ve had the vaccine.
3. How do you know if a cat bite is infected?
The most common symptoms of infection from a cat bite include:
redness or discoloration
swelling
inflammation
warmth
a bump or blister where the bite wound is located
More serious symptoms of a cat bite infection include:
pus or fluid emerging from the wound
loss of feeling near the wound
red or discolored streaks near the wound
swollen lymph nodes
fever or chills
night sweats
fatigue
muscle weakness
inability to use your hand (if your hand’s been bitten)
You should also seek medical treatment as soon as possible if you start to experience these more serious symptoms.
4. Cat bite infection complications
An infection from a cat bite can lead to more serious complications if not treated right away. These include:
brain disease (encephalopathy).
osteomyelitis, an infection in your bones
sepsis
amputations
death
5. What to do if a cat bites you
Animal bites that don’t break your skin, as well as scratches that just graze the surface of your skin, have a minimal risk of infection.
You should still clean the wound area with soap and water, but it’s unlikely you will have to take any action.
Puncture wounds from a cat bite have a high risk of infection. Bites on the hand are also at a high risk of infection. Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and cover with a sterile bandage.
If a cat hasn’t been vaccinated for rabies, contact a doctor to decide if you need treatment known as rabies postexposure prophylaxis (PEP).
PEP isn’t generally needed if the cat isn’t showing signs of rabies, but the cat should be monitored for at least 10 days to be sure.