Cat bites can happen to anyone, and they certainly aren’t pleasant when they do happen.

If your cat has bitten you and you aren’t sure what to do next, read on as our AFC Urgent Care Hixson team provides some helpful information on the necessary next steps.

What Should I Do First for an Animal Bite?

First, you should perform first aid on your bite wound. We’ve listed the necessary first-aid steps below.

After you’ve doctored your wound at home, it’s best to visit your doctor or our AFC center to get further treatment. Even if your bite wound isn’t excessively bleeding, cat bites carry a decently high infection risk due to the sharpness of their teeth, which can cause deep puncture wounds that can sink harmful bacteria under the skin.

Necessary First-Aid Steps

• Wash the wound gently with soap and water.
• Apply pressure with a clean towel to the injured area to stop any bleeding.
• Apply a sterile bandage to the wound.
• Keep the wound elevated above your heart to prevent swelling and infection.

How Can I Prevent Cat Bites?

Sure, it’s not possible to prevent every bite from happening, but there are certainly things you can do to avoid most biting instances.

Also, as parents, it’s important to encourage your children to be gentle with your cats and other pets to avoid agitating them, thus increasing the chances of getting bitten. Teach kids not to tease pets, to handle them gently and to stay away from wild or stray animals.

Ways to Prevent Getting Bitten

• Choose your family pet carefully. Be sure to keep their vaccinations current.
• Never leave a young child alone with a pet. He or she may not know how to be gentle with the pet, which can cause the pet to get mad and bite.
• Don’t try to separate fighting animals. You may get bitten in the process.
• Avoid contact with animals that are sick or have unknown vaccination records.
• Don’t disturb animals while they’re eating. Animals often are protective of their food.
• Keep your pets on a leash when in public.

Pet bites are common, so don’t hesitate to visit our AFC Urgent Care Hixson center if you or your child has been bitten!