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Are cat bites more dangerous than dog bites?

On Behalf of | Feb 18, 2020 | Animal Bites & Attacks

An animal bite, no matter the type, is always something that you should take seriously. After the initial bite, you are not out of the dark in terms of danger. When thinking about dog and cat bites, it is easy to make the claim that dog bites are worse. After all, dogs have larger mouths and have the capability of causing serious damage.  Cat bites are nothing to shrug off either, however. 

According to Healthline, the cat bite wound may look small, but their teeth puncture deep. Because of the nature of the wound, it is easy for it to heal over with the patient unable to clean the bacteria from the wound. When bacteria become trapped, it creates the perfect environment for an infection. 

Cats have a lot of bacteria in their mouths and in their saliva. This bacterium enters the skin upon the bite and can cause dangerous consequences. Additionally, any bacteria on your skin or in the environment at the time of the bite can also enter your wound and lead to infection. In most cases, infections occur after animal bites due to several different types of bacteria. 

To know if you have an infection, keep a look out for the following signs: 

  • Tenderness 
  • Limited use of limb 
  • Red streaks near bite 
  • Fever 
  • Fatigue 
  • Warmth around wound 

Cat bites are more likely to become infected than dog bites. You are at an increased risk if you do not thoroughly wash the bite, if the bite is too deep to clean or if you already have a weakened immune system. 

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