How to Treat Cat Bites

Cats can make wonderful pets, but they can be a little moody. A cat is more likely to bite than a dog, especially if frightened or startled, even if you own the cat. Cat bites are serious business. Felines carry far more bacteria in their mouths than dogs, and even a small bite can lead to big trouble if neglected. The following article will give you some pointers on how to clean and treat a cat bite. In addition, go to the doctor.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• water, soap, peroxide, betadine, antibiotic ointment, bandage material

Cleaning the Wound and Dressing

1. Flush the wound out with warm water and use an anti-bacterial soap. Most cat bites are punctures, so be sure to rinse it out well. It's probably a deeper wound than you think.

2. Rinse the wound with peroxide. The bubbling action will help raise anything in the wound to the surface and allow you to remove it by rinsing with water again.

3. 
   Betadine

   Clean the wound with Betadine. This brown surgical scrub will kill any remaining bacteria, and will sterilize the area. Be careful, Betadine stains clothing and carpets!

4. Apply antibiotic ointment to the wound. This will help prevent infection.

5. Dress the wound. If a band-aid will work, that's great, but you may need to wrap it with a gauze patch and some bandage material. This will prevent dirt and grime from getting in the wound.

6. Go to the doctor. The bite is probably much deeper than you think, and four out of every five cat bites become infected. You probably need some prescriptions antibiotics if the wound is anything more than a scratch. You don't want a nasty staph infection! Be safe!

Tips & Warnings

• Clean the wound immediately
• Use a sterilizing agent such as Betadine
• See your doctor if the wound breaks the skin
• Do not skip the doctor's office!