How to Treat a Cat Bite

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If a frisky kitty has sunk their fangs into a family member, this guide will show you how to treat that wound and avoid the dreaded cat scratch fever.

Step 1: Wash the wound
Wash the wound immediately with soap and warm water. Scrub the area for several minutes to remove saliva and bacteria from the cat bite.

Tip
Don't scrub too hard, but be thorough. While it may be painful, an infection is even worse.

Step 2: Follow with an antiseptic
Rinse all the soap from the wound and then follow with a good antiseptic such as iodine or hydrogen peroxide.

Step 3: Apply pressure
Apply firm pressure to the puncture marks from the cat's teeth to stop any bleeding. Keep the wound elevated to prevent the wound from swelling.

Step 4: Cover with gauze
Cover the bite with an antibiotic ointment and then wrap it in clean gauze once the bleeding has stopped. Apply clean bandages at least twice a day until healing starts.

Tip
A tetanus booster or rabies vaccine may be needed if the animal is a stray. Animal bites in humans can be deadly.

Step 5: See a doctor
See a doctor if things get worse. Have a baby or small child checked out, even if the bite is minor. Swift action will make any pet bite less traumatic and painful.

Did You Know?
Cat Scratch Disease, or CSD, is caused by a common bacteria, which 40 percent of all cats carry at some point in their life.

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