Cat Bites: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention Tips

A cat bite usually does not cause a major wound. Often it is almost invisible. However, if an animal bites its teeth deeply, it can cause inflammation. Do not underestimate such bites, even if they occurred during contact with your pet.

Why cat bites?

Poorly socialized cats sometimes grab a variety of objects with their teeth. The reason for this is because the cat is not trained to follow the set limits. This is most often the case with cats that are taken from their mother too quickly.

Then the animal usually does not bite heavily. Otherwise, it can happen when your pet is nervous or scared. In this situation, care must be taken when communicating with the cat, because as a defensive action, it can even bite the host up to blood.

And a cat bite, while not usually leaving visible wounds, can be very dangerous.

Why is it dangerous to be bitten by a domestic cat?

The fact that a bite from an unfamiliar cat requires the intervention of a doctor seems obvious – the animal can get sick. Often caregivers do not feel similar anxiety about their pets whose health is known.

This is wrong thinking. Cats have bacteria in their mouths (such as Pasteurella multocida) that can cause diseases that are dangerous to humans.

Cats’ wounds are usually not large, but deep bites are deep. Long fangs can reach deep into the tissues. The bite usually occurs on the hands, where tendons, joints, or bones are directly under the skin, which can bring germs out of the cat’s mouth and away from human skin.

What to do in case of a cat bite?

When the cat bites you, try to stay calm. A cry or a sudden handshake will make the already nervous animal more nervous and bite harder. It is best to relax your hand and loosen the cat’s jaws, then move to a safe distance.

The first thing to do, regardless of the depth of the wound, is disinfection. During a cat bite, the injuries are washed with saline or disinfectant.

You must temporarily allow the wound to bleed, as this will rid the body of pathogenic microorganisms. The wound is then covered with a sterile bandage. In the case of a shallow bite, this procedure is usually sufficient. On the other hand, if the wound is deep, see your family doctor to get the right antibiotic.

How to proceed later?

You have to be vigilant for the next few days. If you develop a fever, pain, or swelling after a cat bite, talk to your doctor again. This may even be a sign that the wound needs surgical cleansing.

The development of a systemic infection should not be allowed, i.e. bacteria get into the bloodstream. For people suffering from certain diseases or weakened immunity, this situation can even lead to fatal septic shock.

A case that requires special treatment is a bite from an unknown cat. The victim can receive a prophylactic series of injections against rabies, depending on the doctor’s decision.

How to protect yourself from a cat bite?

People who come into contact with cats on a daily basis should consider the possibility of being buried, but it is worth trying to avoid such situations by following a few basic rules:

• Teach kittens from the first moment that biting is not an acceptable form of play;
• Do not play with parts of the cat’s body – arms, legs;
• Observe the cat’s body language and do not touch any animal (or do so safely) when it is anxious or disturbed;
• Do not get caught between fighting cats (it is better to pull them away, for example, separate them with a pillow, blanket, piece of cardboard);
• If possible, do not force the cat to do anything (such as sit on your knees, etc.);
• Go to a specialist with your cat who shows aggressive behavior on a daily basis – it could be caused by an illness or behavioral problems;
• Do not touch an alien cat without protection.