Whether you are petting or feeding a stray/feral cat or your own pet, scratches and bites can occur.

A cat can scratch for many reasons. Maybe they are overstimulated, scared, or territorial or just like to play aggressively. Cat bites and scratches, even minor ones, can sometimes lead to complications, whether they are caused by your pet or a stray/feral cat. However, between kittens and adult cats, kittens are the ones that scratch most often because they do not yet know how to control their strength when playing.

So, what should you do if a cat scratches you? Read on to learn the steps for providing first aid for cat scratches.

The 4 Important Steps in Providing First Aid for Cat Scratches

In general, cat scratches cause superficial skin lesions, which can become infected if first aid is not given. Also, various germs can reach the body that can cause infectious diseases like rabies, cat scratch fever, or tetanus.

Here are the steps to treat a cat scratch.

1. Wash the Area With Soap and Water

Wash the wound with warm water and soap for complete cleaning. It is recommended to let the water flow over the wound even if the skin does not seem to be perforated. Keep the affected area under running water for a few minutes.

If there are foreign objects in the wound, such as hair, dirt, or other fragments, remove them carefully.

2. Apply Pressure to Stop the Bleeding

If bleeding is present, apply pressure using a sterile compress or a clean cloth (towel, t-shirt, etc.). If possible, wear latex or rubber gloves to protect yourself and prevent infection.

If the bleeding is severe, apply a sterile bandage to the wound, and press firmly. The dressing should be changed as often as necessary so it does not become soaked with blood.

3. Apply Antibiotic Ointment

After drying the wound/stopping bleeding, apply an antibiotic cream/ointment, and cover it with a sterile gauze pad or a clean cloth.

If the bleeding does not show signs of stopping, postpone the application of the cream, or use an antibiotic powder.

You can apply the antibiotic ointment or powder once or twice a day until the wound shows signs of healing. After the wound starts to heal, you can apply ointments with calendula because this accelerates healing and gives elasticity to the skin.

4. Protect the Wound With a Sterile Bandage

After applying the antibiotic ointment or powder, dress the wound with a sterile bandage to protect it. Change the bandage after each application of the antibiotic ointment or powder. In the case of superficial wounds, keep the bandage only for 1 day.

If the scratch is painful, you can take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication.

What to Do If a Cat Scratched Your Eye

Although eye scratches typically heal quickly and without complications, the ophthalmologist should still examine you and prescribe the proper treatment. Untreated eye scratches can lead to:

What Are Complications That Can Occur From a Cat Scratch?

Cats can scratch with claws and teeth. Regardless of how the scratch was caused, cats can transmit (especially stray or feral) various diseases. Another complication that can occur is the scratched area becoming infected.

Cat Scratch Fever (Cat Scratch Disease)

Cat scratch fever is an infection caused by the bacterium Bartonella henselae. It can be transmitted from an infected cat to humans through a bite, a scratch, or saliva. Those with compromised immune systems, babies, small children, and pregnant people are more prone to developing the disease. It usually occurs when the scratch has been caused by young cats or cats with fleas.

A few weeks after the bacterium has entered the body (following a bite or scratch), one or more lymph nodes near the affected area may swell and become painful. These swollen nodes usually appear in the armpit and neck areas. Other clinical signs that may occur include:

Usually, cat scratch disease disappears without treatment. You can take an analgesic to help relieve pain and discomfort and apply warm compresses to the injured area. Antibiotic treatment is necessary when the person who developed the disease has a weak immune system.

Rabies

Rabies is transmitted mainly through the saliva of infected animals. If a cat has scratched you with their claws, the chances of them infecting you with rabies are very low.

Rabies is 100% fatal. Therefore, the anti-rabies vaccine has to be given as soon as possible after the bite/scratch because it can prevent infection. If you have a cat, it is vital and often mandatory to vaccinate them against rabies regularly.

Tetanus

Tetanus infection is caused by Clostridium tetani bacterium. It is a rare but severe infection that must be treated urgently with antibiotics and tetanus vaccine. Clinical signs may resemble those of cat scratch fever but may also include the following:

Skin Infection

In certain situations, the scratches can become infected and lead to the following clinical signs:

If the infected scratch has led to generalized infection (sepsis), the following clinical signs may occur:

Conclusion

Cat scratches are generally minor and harmless. If you have been scratched, clean the wound with soap and water (or saline solution) for a few minutes, stop any bleeding, apply antibiotic ointment or powder, and bandage the wound with a sterile gauze that you will wear for a day (for superficial scratches) or that you will change daily (in case of deep scratches). Cat scratches rarely lead to complications or infections, especially if it was done by your own cat. In the case of stray or feral cats, the situation is different, and you must consult the doctor and monitor the clinical signs that occur (if any).

Featured Image Credit: Vera Aksionava, Shutterstock

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