Your dog or cat may be your best friend. Even so, pet bites or scratches can still happen.
If you are bitten or scratched by a dog or cat, even your own, infections that can follow are serious. Don’t ignore infection symptoms or wait to seek medical care.
Infections symptoms for pet bites or scratches include:
- Redness and swelling
- Streaks of red near the wound (not the scratches)
- Fever
- Pus from the wound
- Fatigue and weakness
Pet bites and scratches can cause infection.
Cat bites
Cats carry a bacterium in their saliva called Pasteurella multocida, which can make you sick. About 80% of people who are bitten by a cat get infected and symptoms are pretty severe.
“The cat bite can lead to a severe infection,” said Dr. Kristin Verville, a Marshfield Clinic Health System Emergency Medicine specialist. “The bite site will abruptly become red, hot and painful. If the bite is on the finger or hand it can rapidly involve the tendons and be more difficult to treat so it is important to seek medical attention soon after the bite.”
Antibiotics are used to treat the infection. If you think you have this infection, seek medical care immediately, Dr. Verville said.
“Bacterium from a cat bite is very aggressive,” she said. “I’ve had to put people in the hospital even when we managed it in urgent care with IV antibiotics and the infection doesn’t respond. You can become very sick from this. So don’t wait to be seen if a cat bites you.”
Also, rabies can be a health concern with cat bites, especially if you do not know the cat’s vaccination history.
Cat scratches
A cat scratch or bite from an infected cat can lead to cat scratch fever, a bacterial infection that can cause you to get quite sick. It also is possible to get the disease if an infected cat’s saliva gets into an open wound.
“The most prominent symptom is very large and swollen lymph nodes,” Dr. Verville said. “Lymph nodes in the extremity where the scratch has become enlarged and painful. Other symptoms are fatigue, headache, a low-grade fever and blisters or redness at the scratch site.”
Antibiotics are used to treat cat scratch fever but it could be three days to two weeks before symptoms appear.
Dog bites
Symptoms are similar with dog bites or scratches that happen from a dog’s teeth, even though the bacterium is different. Only 5% of people get infected with dog bites. Usually, the bite has to be really deep or severe.
Report dog bites to law enforcement, even if it is your own dog. If a dog bites all the time, this becomes a safety issue.
“We always encourage capturing the animal, especially if it’s not your own,” Dr. Verville said. “We worry about rabies, also, so we don’t want the animal running away.”
Dog scratches
The biggest concern with a dog scratch from their claws is an infection.
To prevent infection, it is important to wash the dog scratch with warm water and soap. Apply pressure with a clean gauze pad if the scratch is bleeding.
Once the bleeding has stopped and the area is dry, apply an antibiotic cream to the dog scratch and cover the wound with a bandage.
“From this point forward, it is important to keep the area clean and change the bandage periodically,” said Dr. Verville.
Bunny bites
A bunny bite can cause an infection, but the biggest concern is usually the bite itself. This is why it is important to clean and dress the area properly afterwards.
You should first wash the bunny bite with warm water and soap, and then dry the area. If the area is still bleeding, apply pressure with a clean gauze pad until the bleeding stops.
You should apply an antibiotic cream to the bunny bite and cover the wound with a bandage.
If you see any signs of infection, talk to a doctor. Rabies can be a health concern with bunny bites, especially if the bunny is wild or is not vaccinated.
Even if you know the cat, dog or bunny has had its shots for diseases like rabies, you should still see a doctor, Dr. Verville advised. “Whether it’s a bite or scratch, they are serious enough that you need to take them seriously and seek care.”
For immediate care, visit Marshfield Clinic Health System.
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my puppy jumped on me and her fang has scratched my nose. it wasnt really a bite. it bleed for a while, i washed it with soap and water, after a minute it stopped bleeding. i applied antiseptic. do i have to worry? thank u in advance
Hello, That sounds painful! Unfortunately, we cannot provide medical advice on our blog. Please talk to your doctor for medical advice related to this cut. Thank you! -Jordan
My cat touched her teeth on my palm, it didn't bleed, just a little mark is there on my hand which vanished a bit after washing hands. The cat has not been vaccinated. Is there any risk? Should I get vaccinated? If so how many doses should I get?
Hi Sarah,
Thank you for reaching out. We recommend discussing this with your provider. They can best advise you since thy are aware of your medical history and past conditions.
-Jake
Hello. Three days ago I was bit by a neighbors outdoor cat. It wasn't even really a bite, it more just scraped me with its fang, and i didn't see any blood. It was kind of like being scraped by a tree branch. I washed the bite with soap and water immediately and you cant even see the scrape anymore, but I'm still worried. Should I see a doctor about it? I don't know the cat's vaccination history or anything about it really, it was the first time I'd seen it.
Hello,
We recommend seeing a doctor about this – especially since you are unaware of the cat's vaccination history.
Thank you,
Jake
Hello my dog scratched my lip a few days ago and today I woke up and it was swollen and gooey should I be worried? He’s only 2 months old and his claws are really sharp.
Hi Ellen,
Thank you for reaching out. This is something that we recommend reaching out to your provider about. He or she will be able to best advise you due to their knowledge of your medical history and past conditions.
-Jake
My puppy was vaccinated with rabies vaccine…she scratched me with her teeth while playing when I forcefully pulled my hand back… Then there was a scratch on my index finger and it bleeded a little…is it dangerous..? What should I do…?
Hello,
Any time your pet bites you, even if it's minor, we recommend checking directly with your provider. It is best to be safe in these instances.
Thanks,
Jake
I was playing with my puppy.he is unvaccinated(barely 2 months old).I think his teeth touched me while he tried to play bite. there was no mark or scratch or blood. I don't even correctly remember the exact spot.but I felt his teeth touching(I didn't even know it was the teeth as i was turned,my mom told me that.it wasn't pointy at all therefore the doubt) my leg. So I shouldn't worry,right? Still I washed that place with soap and water. Should I get vaccinated or just observe the puppy for any problems for some time to decide?
Hello and thank you for reaching out,
If you have any concern about a potential pet bite or scratch, we always recommend discussing it with your provider. Even if it doesn't seem serious, it is best to be safe in these instances.
Thanks,
Jake
I have 2 dogs and I get scratched by them all the time, but every time I get scratched, the scratch swells up and turns all red but then is back to normal within 30 minutes. Am I allergic to dog scratches?
Hi Will,
Thank you for reaching out. This does sound like a reaction of some sort – we recommend contacting your provider about this. He or she will be able to best advise you due to their knowledge of your medical history and past conditions.
-Jake
My puppy scratch me with his nails.. is there to worry? Hope you will reply
Hello Lexie,
In cases where you get scratched or bit by a pet, we always recommend discussing it with your provider. Even if it doesn't seem serious, it is best to be safe in these instances.
Thanks,
Jake
If my friends puppy scratches me and it continues to burn after 4 hours what should I do
Hello David,
We recommend talking directly with your provider about the symptoms you are experiencing. Due to their knowledge of your medical history and past conditions, they can best advise you.
Thank you,
Jake
My dog ceep scratching his ear
My dog scratched me a little with teeth accidently while playing and a slight cut occoured nefore one month i washed it properley with soap and then cleaned with dettol should I
take advice a doctor
Hello,
In cases where you get scratched or bit by a pet, we always recommend discussing it with your provider. Even if it doesn't seem serious, it is best to be safe in these instances.
Thanks,
Jake
id been scratching my dog for ten mins and my finger tips turned white what dose that mean
Hello Patrice,
One possible reason could be Raynaud's Phenomenon – which you can read more about here if you would like: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/raynauds-phenomenon. However, we strongly recommend talking to your doctor about what you experienced – due to their knowledge of your previous conditions and medical history.
Thanks,
Jake
My dog scratched me and it was a little bigger than a paper cut and he had been vaccinated so shud I take vaccinations??
Hello,
In these instances it is always best to see a doctor about the scratch you received from your dog. It is better to be safe and check – even if it does not seem to be too serious.
Thanks,
Jake
My dog accidently touch my skin but there is no scrach no bleeding no wound. it only damage the upper layer of skin should I have to consult my doctor?
Hello,
In cases where you get scratched or bit by a pet, we always recommend discussing it with your provider. Even if it doesn't seem serious, it is best to be safe in these instances.
Thanks,
Jake
My puppy accidentally scratched my left hand with her teeth should I seek for help and ask for a rabies shot?
Hello Kaye,
In cases where you get scratched or bit by a pet, we always recommend discussing it with your provider. Even if it doesn't seem serious, it is best to be safe in these instances.
Thanks,
Jake
Hi I got a teeth scratch from a 2 month old puppy. There is no blood and the scratches are about half an inch. I wash it with soap and water right away and even applied alcohol. The alcohol didn't even sting and scratch didn't go swollen. But since the puppy has no vaccine yet, I'm concerned. Should I get anti-rabies shot?
Hello,
In cases where you get scratched or bit by a pet, we always recommend discussing it with your provider. Even if it doesn't seem serious, it is best to be safe in these instances.
Thanks,
Jake
When I was 16 years old I got bitten by our dog in my hand and its really deep and got vaccinated (I forgotten the details but I was injected about 3-5 times thats runs almost 2-4 weeks and as far as I remembered the doctor said it will help me boost my immunity for 5 to 10 years something like that) now that I'm 20 years old I was playing with our dog and accidentally wounded by her teeth for about 2 milimeter and I make it bleed and wash with running water then soap should I still need to vaccinated??
Hello Mirajane and thank you for reaching out,
We recommend consulting with your doctor about the wound you got from your dog. Even if it doesn't seem serious and was an accident, your doctor can best advise you due to their advanced knowledge of your medical history and past conditions.
Thank you,
Jake
hi my dog's teeth scratch my nail cuticle. should this affect me? or do i need to take anti rabbies?
Hi Chrisha,
Thank you for reaching out. There is a possibility that this could affect you, so it's always best to go into your doctor to get it checked out in these situations. Even if it doesn't seem serious, it is best to be safe.
Thank you,
Jake
My dog 's teeth accidentally touched my left hand and made a wound last August 2. Before this happened, I already had my rabies vaccine last July 13. Do I need to take another shot? My dog already had the anti-rabies vaccine.
He was eating a bone, I took it from him because he is not allowed to eat one, the bone feel from the table because of the cat, but he suddenly got it from me and his teeth accidentally hit my hand.
Hi Kyle,
Unfortunately, we are limited in the individualized medical advice we can provide on this platform. We recommend consulting with your doctor about your wound. Even if it doesn't seem serious, it is best to be safe and your doctor can best advise you due to their knowledge of your medical history.
Thank you,
Jake
A dog accidentally hit my skin with his teeth and its just a small wound at it bleeds just a little blood on it,should i consult to a doctor?
Hello and thank you for reaching out,
Yes – we recommend consulting with your doctor about the wound you received. Even if it doesn't seem serious, it is better to be safe in these instances.
Thank you,
Jake
Same with my brothers case but after that my brother doesnt feel anything weird. He said that he feels fine just a little nervous and shaky at first .We already cleaned his finger straight after the accident but im still worried that it maybe really dangerous or maybe im just overthinking
Hello and thank you for reaching out,
We recommend contacting your brother's doctor even if it doesn't seem too serious. In these situations, it is best to take precautions and your brother's doctor would be best able to advise him.
Thanks,
Jake
Hi, my un-vaccinated dog scratched me with her teeth a while ago, the wound is really small like 3 mm but it bled, not it's closed should I be concerned?
Hello and thank you for reaching out,
Even if the symptoms you are experiencing do not seem serious, we recommend consulting with your doctor. It is best to check and be safe.
Thanks,
Jake
My dog scratched my lip and it bleed slightly. Do I need to get a shot?
Hi Stephanie,
We recommend talking to your provider directly about the symptoms you are experiencing. Due to their knowledge of your past conditions and medical history, they can best advise you about whether you need a shot.
Thank you,
Jake
My dog scratched my arm. The scratch it red, itchy, and bumpy. Should I be worried?
Hello Tee,
Even if the symptoms you are experiencing do not seem to serious, we still recommend talking to your provider directly about what you are experiencing. Due to their knowledge of your past conditions and medical history, they can best advise you.
Thank you,
Jake
I was outside playing with a homeless dog and it scratched me but i didnt hurt or anything but when i came home i found out that it left marks, its not deep or anything but ahould i see a doctor
Hello Emily,
We strongly recommend seeing a doctor about the marks.
Thank you,
Jake
Hi my dog bit me it didn't cause a wound but the bite left a mark red but its not deep and itchy i also washed it with soap should i be worried…..hope you'd reply
Hello Adrian,
Thank you for reaching out.
When it comes to dog bites, it is recommended that you talk directly with your doctor – even if you are not experiencing too many symptoms.
'Even if you know the cat or dog has had its shots for diseases like rabies, you should still see a doctor, Peterson advised.
“Whether it’s a bite or scratch, they are serious enough that you need to take them seriously and seek care,” Peterson said.'
If you have a Marshfield Clinic Health System doctor, you can use My Marshfield Clinic to securely send and receive messages: https://www.marshfieldclinic.org/MyMarshfieldClinic
Thank you,
Jake
My dog scratched me and I’m beginning to develop fever. I feel warm. And now during this pandemic, should I be worried?
Hello Ameer,
We recommend talking to your provider directly about what you are experiencing, to be safe. Due to their knowledge of your past conditions and medical history, they can best advise you.
Thank you,
Jake
What does it mean if your dog scratches you and the scratch puffs up
Hello,
We recommend talking to your doctor about your scratch as soon as you can. Here is additional reading on the topic that may be helpful: https://www.petmd.com/news/view/what-do-if-dog-scratches-you-37086
Thanks,
Jake
About four days ago while I was sitting on the couch, my cat jumped on me. He's an inside cat ! But after I got him off me, the next day my left leg became sore & then numb from my hip to my knee. It still is as of the 26th day of June. Do you think this could be a result of the numbness I'm experiencing.
Hi Amanda,
This could be a result of the numbness you are experiencing. However – as Dr. Peterson noted in the article -'Even if you know the cat or dog has had its shots for diseases like rabies, you should still see a doctor.
Whether it’s a bite or scratch, they are serious enough that you must need to take them seriously and seek care.'
Thanks,
Jake
Hi I got scratched by my boyfriends dogs tooth while we were playing. This happened earlier and I had rinsed it and put polysporin and a bandaid on for awhile . Took it off later the same night and it’s a-bit red and a little swollen. I’m scared because it’s on my left hand. Not sure when the right time is to go to the doctor. Curious because if worse tomorrow I most likely will see a doctor to be safe that there is no infection.
Hi Sarah,
If you have any concerns about the scratch, we recommend talking to your doctor. Unfortunately we cannot offer too much guidance on this platform since we can't see the scratch itself.
-Jake
hello im dani, im twelve,
my dog bit me but it doesnt bleed.. its only swelling super mildly. is it serious? im worried
Hi Dani.
Unfortunately we cannot responsibly answer that without seeing the scratch itself.
If you are worried, we recommend talking to a nurse line or your doctor/care team about the scratch.
-Jake
Hello! So sorry to be a bother, especially if the answer is just that I need to check with my medical provider. However, this only happened very recently, so I’m not too worried yet, hence why I didn’t consult a doctor straight away. A puppy with unclipped claws—fully vaccinated French bulldog—scratched my left arm—the inside crease of my elbow and just above, near the visible veins in your arm/elbow crease, and now, while no additional red other than initial contact—flesh grazes, no open wounds—over half of my arm is throbbing uncomfortably and in pain. Is this correlation instead of causation? Am I being an idiot? Should I consult medical?
Hello and thank you for reaching out,
We recommend contacting your doctor about the symptoms you are experiencing as soon as you can.
Thank you,
Jake
I was bitten by my cat 2 days ago but I haven’t feel any symptoms is that serious?
Hello and thanks for reaching out,
If you have questions about the cat bite, we recommend you call your doctor or a nurse line to explain what happened. They can provide you the medical advice you're looking for.
-Jake
I was outside with my cat when she seen 2 dogs. I picked her up and she jumped out my hands and scratched me in fear. My hands feel tingly and I feel like they will become swollen. Please advice?
Hello,
Thanks for reading and reaching out. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide medical advice on this platform. We recommend talking to your doctor as soon as you can. If you are a Marshfield Clinic Health System patient, you can message your doctor on My Marshfield Clinic: http://marshfieldclinic.org/mymarshfieldclinic
Jake
I broke up my dogs fighting two weeks ago and my fingers got bit pretty badly– I thought they'd heal up fine with home first aid, but now my one finger is swollen, red, has a white circle in it and a white line beside it. it doesn't really hurt, but it's noticeably swollen and weird colored. should I go to the ER? I am kinda freaking out, plz help
Abbey,
Hi Abbey,
We are unable to provide medical advice on this platform. We recommend talking to your primary care provider or seeing a doctor as soon as you can. If you are a Marshfield Clinic Health System patient, you can message your doctor on My Marshfield Clinic: http://marshfieldclinic.org/mymarshfieldclinic
Jake
Yesterday I was scratched in the crease of my left elbow by a friend's dog while entering their home. It was an accidental superficial scratch. Very minor, it barely broke the first layer of skin. Not even deep enough to bleed. Within a few hours I was experiencing tenderness under my left armpit. Within a few hours after that that tenderness had increased in severity and had spread to my left shoulder blade my side and was causing sharp pains in my chest. Today the pain is still isolated to the left side but now the tenderness has spread as far as my leg. Random sharp pains in my chest still. I think the pain or tenderness I should say is lymphatic. I believe I've identified a swollen lymph node just above the scratched elbow on the back side of my arm. Should I be concerned. I'm otherwise healthy 31 with no health conditions and have always had a very strong immune system. If I was infected by bacterium or in anyway by the very minor dog scratch could it spread and have effects that quickly?
Hi Mason,
Thank you for reaching out. We are unable to provide medical advice on this platform. We recommend talking to your primary care provider. If you are a Marshfield Clinic Health System patient, you can message your doctor on My Marshfield Clinic: http://marshfieldclinic.org/mymarshfieldclinic
Jake
My dog scratched my foot and left a deep in print, but it did not break the skin. My foot is numb and often has a pins and needles feeling to it. Do I need to do anything or will this go away?
Hello Zoe,
We reached out to Paula and she said she can't give advice on this platform. Numbness and tingling needs an assessment and she recommends seeking medical advice from your primary care provider.
Thanks and I hope that helps,
Jake
My dog scratched the inside of my mouth and my lips are swollen does that mean anythunt
Hi Lily,
Unfortunately we can't provide medical advice on this platform. We recommend reaching out to your primary care provider. If you are a Marshfield Clinic Health System patient, you can message your doctor on My Marshfield Clinic: http://marshfieldclinic.org/mymarshfieldclinic
Jake
My son was scratched by his dog's paw. It was an open wide scratch with some blood.How long does it take for infection/sepsis to set in? Or me to know he's safe from infection.
Hi, Ceil.
This article may be helpful for you: https://www.petmd.com/news/view/what-do-if-dog-scratches-you-37086
"Clean and dry the skin, and then apply a small amount of antibiotic ointment and cover the wound with a bandage. Make sure to check the scratch for signs of infection, which include increased heat, redness, swelling, pain or red streaking on the skin. Monitor the wound for at least 72 hours, and if you experience any of those symptoms, seek the attention of a medical professional immediately."
If you are at all concerned with symptoms you or your family are experiencing (at any time), it's important to contact your doctor or a nurse's line who can give you individual medical advice.
-Kirstie
It was 24 hrs before it was cleaned n ointment was put on it. IT'S been 3 days n scratch is healing…So is it safe to say it did not get infected?
Hi, Ceil. Unfortunately we cannot responsibly answer that without seeing the scratch itself.
If you are worried, a nurse line or your son's doctor/care team can answer any questions you may have. -Kirstie
My dog has been given vaccination I don't no whether the dog has scratched or bitten my 3 year old boy 10 days ago should I need medical attention
Hi, Ranjani.
You can find some comfort in knowing "Only 5 percent of people get infected with dog bites. Usually, the bite has to be really deep or severe." As the story also mentions, though, you should "Report dog bites to law enforcement, even if it is your own dog. If a dog bites all the time, this becomes a safety issue."
If you have questions about the scratch or bite, we recommend you call your doctor or a nurse line to explain what happened and how the area is healing. They can provide you the medical advice you're looking for.
-Kirstie
Hello, I was scratched by my puppy on my foot last night and it didn't bleed but the skin was broken. I haven't took an anti-rabies shot yet since my parents told me that I still have a vaccine in my system because I was vaccinated last 2014 due to a dog bite. The puppy is a month old when she scratched me. I don't know if it's from her tooth or her nail. But I felt a sting and numb around the scratch. Should I get an anti-rabies vaccine? How many years is the vaccine will last?
Hi, Jessica. Have you called your doctor? He/she can help you decide whether you need the vaccine.
"If you’re bitten by an animal that could have rabies, you can get the rabies vaccine to keep you from developing the disease. A doctor can help decide if you need the vaccine." -Source: https://www.vaccines.gov/diseases/rabies/index.html
-Kirstie
My dog scratched me and it didn’t leave a mark is there any way I can get an infection? And for future reference what is considered breaking skin is it bleeding, flesh or is it as simple as a red mark
Hi Hunter,
Thanks for reading Shine365 and for reaching out. We strongly recommend reaching out to your primary care provider or doctor about your question. For additional reading, this article may be helpful: https://www.petmd.com/news/view/what-do-if-dog-scratches-you-37086
-Jake
Hello.. Within 12 months.. I was bite a dog, scratched by another filthy dog ( i had a bad reaction and at a time when immune system was low fromm hyperglycemia and toxicity for applying liquid bandage on me…) then a cat scaratched three various times. I havent gotten a thorough examination from my many healthcare providers..they are more concerned about me going to a psych evaluation..while failing to atleast give me a diagnostic evaluation re: animalbites or scratches.. so its untreated..whatever is causing my fatigue..forgetfullnesd and now lil multicolor things like tiny flealike things come out of my skin
im forgetful alot .. vision is decreasing one eye " kinda looks like glaucoma" i have 90 vision loss ..I dont know what is causing all of it..But..I was injured multiple times..I dont understand why drs wont treat me properly..This has been a nightmare.