Health Issues - Cat Bites and Scratches Cat bites and scratches can be worse than we might think. It happens far less often than dog bites, but according to some studies, cat bites are considered twice as dangerous.
I have handled more than 1,000 cats in rescue and shelter environments during the past 20 years. Just the "law of averages" dictated I would experience some bites and scratches during that time. I even suffered a few serious bites from ferals, but I healed quickly and simply allowed those incidents to go into the no-big-deal file in my brain. (Never do that.)
Then, earlier this month, I was scratched by one of my own cats, the most common scenario for bites and scratches. I was treating my cats' ears that day and Mystery suddenly reacted by squirming away using his hind legs. I had just clipped his front claws but didn't think his back feet needed it. Oh, but I was wrong.
He punctured the back of my hand with a rear claw. Undeterred, I finished my cat care tasks for the day.
Within a week, my hand had swollen badly and I found myself at the urgent care clinic, getting the proper medications for self care at home, with a warning that a poor response would require hospitalization, since I had let it go so long. (Never do that, either.)
I'm doing well, happily, and no further care is needed. But this highlights a potential problem all cat guardians should at least be aware of. No need to get rid of Fluffy, but please do use caution and know what to do if anything goes wrong.
Here is a great article to help you be observant and cautious of such problems in your personal situation:
https://www.thepurringtonpost.com/dealing-with-a-cat-bite/
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