How To Treat A Cat Scratch

Introduction

Before we get into the nitty gritty of how to treat a cat scratch, I want to point out that all cats have bacteria in their mouths and claws, which can cause an infection if scratched by one. So even though cat scratches aren’t usually serious for most people, it’s important to know what you need to do if you find yourself with a scratch from a feline.

Wear gloves.

Wear gloves to protect your hands, the cat’s paws and claws. A cat’s claws are sharp and can easily puncture skin, causing scratches on both sides of the glove. Make sure you wear long-sleeved shirts and pants as well; many cats are prone to scratching when they’re stressed out or feeling territorial.

Clean the scratch wound thoroughly with soap and water.

Immediately after being scratched, the wound should be cleaned thoroughly with soap and water. Use a clean cloth or paper towel to wipe away any dirt or debris that’s in the area; then use soap and water to clean out any bacteria from around the cut. Finally, dry it off with another clean cloth (or paper towel).

Apply a little antibiotic ointment to the wound.

It is important to keep the wound clean and dry. Apply a little antibiotic ointment to the wound. Repeat as needed, but don’t use ointment on broken skin or around the eyes or mouth. Do not apply ointment if you think your cat might lick his or her paw and ingest it (this is called licking). Your pet should be brought to a veterinarian immediately if he or she has ingested any of the medication in an attempt to get rid of symptoms such as pain, swelling, redness, warmth and drainage from a scratch.

Bandage the wound with an adhesive bandage.

If the cat scratch is small, you can simply bandage it with an adhesive bandage. You should choose a bandage that’s clean and dry, and make sure it’s not too tight or loose. The wound should be covered until it heals completely.

If the cat scratch bleeds, apply pressure by pressing down on the area with a clean cloth or towel until the bleeding stops. If possible, elevate the injured arm above heart level to help reduce swelling.

Change the bandage once a day, especially if it gets wet or dirty during this time period. If you notice a foul odor coming from your wound (a sign of infection), contact your doctor immediately as you may need antibiotics to treat this condition

Observe the wound for signs of infection.

If you’ve sustained a cat scratch, it’s important to observe the wound for signs of infection. Signs of an infected cat scratch can include:

Redness
Swelling
Pus coming from the wound

If you see any of these symptoms, see a doctor immediately, as you may be at risk for rabies or another serious infection. If you’re not seeing any of these signs and/or your cat has been vaccinated against rabies, there’s no need to worry about infection and you can focus on treating your scratch.

Cat scratches are not fun, but they are easy to treat.

Wear gloves. A cat scratch can be easily infected, so it’s important to wear gloves when handling the wound. The most common bacteria found in cat claws is Pasteurella multocida, which causes a skin infection called cellulitis or erysipelas that can spread rapidly and become life-threatening if left untreated. If you don’t have gloves on hand, be sure to thoroughly sanitize your hands before touching anything else after cleaning up the scratch wound with soap and water!
Clean the scratch wound thoroughly with soap and water (and maybe some hydrogen peroxide) for at least 10 minutes before applying antibiotic ointment or antiseptic spray (like Neosporin). Once again, make sure your hands are very clean before doing this—you don’t want any germs getting into your body through an open wound! There’s no need to rinse off after treatment either—just pat dry gently with a clean towel (if possible) once all liquid has been absorbed by gauze bandage wrap around fingers twice daily until healed completely

Conclusion

This wound is going to heal up just fine soon enough, so no need to worry about it. Just follow the steps above and you’ll be on your way to a nice long life with your feline friend for years to come!