Key Takeaways
- Cat bites are high-risk for infection because their sharp teeth act like needles, trapping bacteria deep in the skin.
- Always wash any cat bite that breaks the skin with soap and running water for at least 5-10 minutes.
- Bites on the hands, wrists, or near joints are especially dangerous and require immediate medical evaluation.
- See a doctor if the bite is deep, in a high-risk area, or if you are immunocompromised.
- Watch for signs of infection like redness, swelling, increasing pain, or fever, which can appear within 12 hours.
What Is a Cat Bite?
A cat bite is an injury caused when a cat’s teeth break the skin.
Because feline teeth are sharp, slender, and curved, they act like needles, creating deep but narrow puncture wounds.
This is very different from a typical dog bite, which is more likely to crush or tear the tissue. The danger of a cat bite lies in its deceptive appearance.
The small puncture hole on the surface often seals over very quickly, trapping bacteria deep within the tissue where it is difficult to clean and has a perfect environment to multiply.
Because feline teeth are sharp, slender, and curved, they act like needles, creating deep but narrow puncture wounds.
This is very different from a typical dog bite, which is more likely to crush or tear the tissue. The danger of a cat bite lies in its deceptive appearance.
The small puncture hole on the surface often seals over very quickly, trapping bacteria deep within the tissue where it is difficult to clean and has a perfect environment to multiply.
Why Do Cat Bites Get Infected?
Why Are Cat Bites So Dangerous? The high risk of infection comes from the shape of a cat’s teeth. Unlike a dog’s teeth which tear, a cat’s teeth are like sharp hypodermic needles.
- Deep Injection: They inject bacteria (specifically Pasteurella multocida) deep into the tissue, tendons, or joints.
- Trapped Bacteria: Because the puncture wound is tiny, the skin surface seals over quickly. This traps the bacteria inside a warm, low-oxygen environment perfect for infection.
- Hand Risks: Bites on the hands and wrists are particularly dangerous because bacteria can easily infect the complex joints and tendon sheaths, leading to permanent damage if untreated.
Cat Bite Infection Symptoms
Cat Bite Infection Symptoms Symptoms typically appear within 12 to 24 hours. Do not ignore:
- Redness & Swelling: Spreading redness around the wound.
- Red Streaks: Thin red lines tracking up the arm or leg away from the bite. This is a medical emergency.
- Heat: The area feels warm to the touch.
- Pus: Oozing fluid or abscess formation.
- Systemic Signs: Fever, chills, or swollen lymph nodes.
How Long After a Cat Bite Does Infection Set In?
An infection from a cat bite can develop very quickly. While some slower-growing infections, like cat scratch disease, can take up to 10 days or more to show symptoms, a bacterial infection like cellulitis can begin within just a few hours. The median time for a Pasteurella infection to become apparent is often around 12 hours after the bite. This rapid onset is why medical professionals treat cat bites so seriously and why prompt first aid and evaluation are critical. The exact timeline can vary depending on the depth of the bite, its location, the specific bacteria involved, and the person’s overall immune health.
Cat Bite Treatment
Proper treatment for a cat bite begins immediately with first aid. The single most important step is to thoroughly clean the wound to flush out as much bacteria as possible. This means washing the wound with soap and water, then rinsing it under pressure from running water for at least 5 to 10 minutes. After cleaning, cover the wound with a clean dressing and monitor it. Because the infection risk is so high, it is recommended to see a physician as soon as possible for any cat bite that has broken the skin, especially if it’s a deep puncture. A healthcare provider will assess the wound, clean it again (a process called irrigation), and determine the best course of action. This may include a prescription for antibiotics, a tetanus booster shot if you are not up to date, and, if the cat’s vaccination status is unknown, an evaluation for rabies risk. Deep puncture wounds are often left open (not stitched) to allow them to drain and prevent bacteria from being trapped.
Antibiotics for Cat Bite
Antibiotics are a primary treatment for many cat bites precisely because the infection rate is so high.
A doctor is very likely to prescribe antibiotics, particularly if the wound is deep, located on a high-risk area like the hand or a joint, or if there was a delay in seeking treatment.
Antibiotics are also frequently given as a preventive measure (prophylaxis) for individuals with weakened immune systems. The antibiotics chosen will be effective against the common spectrum of bacteria found in a cat’s mouth, especially Pasteurella multocida. While a very shallow, superficial scratch in a healthy person may just be monitored, it is common for even minor-looking cat bites to be treated with antibiotics to prevent a serious infection from taking hold.
In severe cases, or if an oral antibiotic isn’t working, hospitalization for intravenous (IV) antibiotics may be necessary.
A doctor is very likely to prescribe antibiotics, particularly if the wound is deep, located on a high-risk area like the hand or a joint, or if there was a delay in seeking treatment.
Antibiotics are also frequently given as a preventive measure (prophylaxis) for individuals with weakened immune systems. The antibiotics chosen will be effective against the common spectrum of bacteria found in a cat’s mouth, especially Pasteurella multocida. While a very shallow, superficial scratch in a healthy person may just be monitored, it is common for even minor-looking cat bites to be treated with antibiotics to prevent a serious infection from taking hold.
In severe cases, or if an oral antibiotic isn’t working, hospitalization for intravenous (IV) antibiotics may be necessary.
How to Treat a Cat Bite at Home
Immediate First Aid: What to Do After a Cat Bite If you are bitten, act fast to reduce the viral/bacterial load:
- Wash Immediately: Don’t just rinse. Scrub with mild soap and running water for at least 5–10 minutes.
- Flush the Wound: Let water run over the wound under pressure to flush out bacteria.
- Apply Ointment: Apply an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment.
- Cover: Use a sterile bandage.
- Monitor: Watch closely for the next 12 hours. If it swells or gets red, go to the doctor.
