Cat Scratches: Risks, Infections, and What to Do Next

Understanding cat scratches: from minor injuries to infections and when to contact a doctor.

By Sneha Tete, Integrated MA, Certified Relationship Coach

Created on Sep 26, 2025

Understanding cat scratches: from minor injuries to infections and when to contact a doctor.

Cat Scratches: Should You Be Worried?

Cats are adored for their playful personalities and companionship. However, as any cat owner or cat lover knows, sometimes playtime can lead to scratches. Most cat scratches are harmless and heal quickly, but under certain conditions, they can cause infections — ranging from mild to serious. This comprehensive guide explains what happens when a cat scratches you, potential risks such as cat scratch disease, steps for care, and when you need to consult a healthcare professional.

Are Cat Scratches Dangerous?

For most people, cat scratches result in nothing more than minor skin irritation or a small wound that heals on its own. However, because cat claws can carry bacteria, there is always a risk of infection, particularly for individuals with compromised immune systems, older adults, and young children. In rare cases, even healthy individuals may develop complications that require medical attention.

Why Cat Scratches Can Cause Infection

Bacteria on claws: Cats use their claws to dig, scratch, and hunt. Their claws can carry dirt, bacteria, and pathogens from the environment.
Cat behavior: Cats often scratch during play, as a defense mechanism, or accidentally. Kittens are especially likely to scratch due to their energetic playfulness.
Wound penetration: Even shallow scratches may allow bacteria to enter the skin.

What Is Cat Scratch Disease?

Cat scratch disease (CSD), also known as cat scratch fever, is a bacterial infection caused by Bartonella henselae. It is typically transmitted to humans through a scratch or bite from an infected cat, or less commonly, when an infected cat licks a person’s open wound.

Most cats carrying this bacterium show no signs of illness but act as healthy hosts. According to health sources, cat scratch disease most often affects children under 15 due to their close contact with young cats and kittens.

How Common Is Cat Scratch Disease?

It remains uncommon, but thousands of cases are reported in the United States each year.
Those with a healthy immune system usually experience mild illness.
Severe cases and complications are most prevalent in individuals with weakened immunity.

How Do Cat Scratches Lead to Infections?

When a cat’s claws break the surface of your skin, bacteria from their claws or mouth may enter the wound. The most common pathogens involved in infections from cat scratches are:

Bartonella henselae (cat scratch disease)
Staphylococcus and Streptococcus (can result in local skin infection)
Pasteurella multocida (common in both dog and cat bites)

Cats can acquire Bartonella henselae from fleas; thus, flea control is a key aspect in prevention.

Symptoms of Cat Scratch Disease

After a cat scratch, most people experience:

Redness or swelling at the site
Mild pain or tenderness
Small bump or blister (pustule or papule) at the injury site

If cat scratch disease develops, further symptoms may include:

Swollen lymph nodes typically near the scratch or bite site (most common sign), which may be painful
Fever
Fatigue and malaise
Headache
Loss of appetite

Symptoms usually develop in this order:

Time After Scratch	Symptom
3–10 days	Bump or blister at scratch site
1–7 weeks later	Swollen lymph nodes appear

Potential Complications

Cat scratch disease is usually mild. Rarely, however, it may lead to serious complications, particularly in people with weakened immune systems:

Encephalopathy (brain infection)
Neuroretinitis (eye infection)
Osteomyelitis (bone infection)
Parinaud oculoglandular syndrome (eye and lymph node problems)
Severe, lasting swelling in nodes

When to Call a Doctor

You should seek medical attention if:

You develop a fever or flu-like symptoms after a cat scratch or bite
The scratch becomes increasingly red, swollen, hot, or painful
Pus or discharge appears at the site
You notice swollen lymph nodes that persist or worsen
You have a weakened immune system (such as from HIV/AIDS, cancer treatment, organ transplantation)
Symptoms fail to improve after a few days of self-care

How to Care for a Cat Scratch

If you’re scratched by a cat, prompt and proper wound care can greatly reduce your risk of developing an infection. Steps you should take include:

Wash your hands with soap and water before touching the wound.
Clean the wound immediately with soap and running water. Wash for at least 5 minutes.
Apply an antiseptic such as hydrogen peroxide, povidone-iodine, or an alcohol-based solution.
Cover with a sterile bandage to protect the wound from further contamination.
Monitor for signs of infection for several days after the scratch.

It is also important to avoid picking at or scratching the wound again, and refrain from letting cats lick open wounds.

Treatment for Cat Scratch Disease and Related Infections

For healthy people, cat scratch disease or a mild bacterial skin infection will usually resolve without intervention. However, antibiotics may be needed in certain cases:

Antibiotic use: If lymph node swelling persists, symptoms are severe, or the patient is at risk for complications (immunocompromised), antibiotics such as azithromycin, doxycycline, or other suitable agents may be prescribed.
Pain relief: Over-the-counter analgesics (acetaminophen, ibuprofen) can help manage pain from swollen nodes.
Drainage: In rare instances, a doctor may need to drain nodes or abscesses.
Immunocompromised patients: Always require closer monitoring and, in nearly all cases, antibiotic therapy.

If there are other signs suggestive of more severe complications (eye symptoms, neurological symptoms, persistent fever), further testing and more aggressive treatment may be needed.

How Cat Scratch Disease Is Diagnosed

Doctors typically diagnose cat scratch disease based on your symptoms and recent history of exposure to cats. They may perform:

A physical exam, looking for swollen lymph nodes and wound location
Blood tests to confirm the presence of Bartonella henselae antibodies (ELISA, PCR)
In rare cases, a lymph node biopsy to rule out other causes of swelling

Often, no testing is necessary if the clinical picture is clear and the person is otherwise healthy.

How to Prevent Cat Scratch Disease

While it’s not possible to guarantee prevention, especially for cat owners, several strategies can greatly reduce your risk:

Practice gentle play: Avoid roughhousing that may encourage scratching or biting. Teach children to handle cats gently.
Wash promptly: Always wash hands and skin after playing with cats; clean scratches or bites right away.
Do not allow cats to lick open wounds, eyes, or mouth.
Control fleas: Use veterinarian-approved flea control products. Fleas transmit Bartonella henselae between cats.
Cover open wounds: Keep cuts or abrasions covered while handling cats.
Avoid feral or stray cats: They are more likely to carry the bacterium due to less health monitoring.

Reducing Risk for Vulnerable People

Certain groups must be especially careful around cats, particularly kittens. These include:

People with HIV/AIDS
Organ transplant recipients
Cancer patients on chemotherapy
Young children (under five years old)
Older adults with chronic diseases

These individuals should discuss pet safety with their healthcare provider and may need to take extra steps, such as:

Avoiding adoption of kittens or stray cats
Speaking to veterinarians about flea prevention rigorously

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can a cat scratch cause sepsis?

Sepsis from a cat scratch is extremely rare in healthy people, but severely immunocompromised individuals can be at higher risk. Prompt treatment of infection and close monitoring are important for those with weakened immunity.

How long does cat scratch disease last?

Symptoms usually resolve within 2–8 weeks. In some cases, lymph node swelling may persist for several months.

Should I be concerned if a stray cat scratches me?

Yes, stray cats present a higher risk as they are more likely to carry infectious agents. Clean the wound immediately and consult your healthcare provider for further advice. Tetanus and rabies (though very rare from cats) may also need to be considered.

Do I need antibiotics for every cat scratch?

Most cat scratches heal without antibiotics. However, if you develop infection signs—such as worsening redness, swelling, pus, fever—or if you have a weak immune system, consult your doctor to determine if antibiotics are needed.

Can I get cat scratch disease more than once?

Yes, reinfection is possible if you are scratched or bitten by a cat carrying Bartonella henselae, especially in the absence of proper flea control or if your immune system is compromised.

Summary Table: Cat Scratch Risks and Recommendations

Situation	Action	When to See a Doctor
Minor scratch, no symptoms	Clean wound, monitor	If symptoms of infection develop
Swollen lymph nodes, fever	Self-care, monitor closely	If severe, not improving, or immunocompromised
Persistent or severe pain, pus, fever	Self-care as above	Seek immediate medical advice
Immunocompromised individual, any scratch	Clean and monitor closely	Contact doctor even with minor symptoms

Key Takeaways

Most cat scratches are minor and heal on their own, but always clean wounds promptly.
Cat scratch disease is usually not serious for healthy adults, but can cause uncomfortable symptoms and, rarely, complications.
If you are immunocompromised, a child, or elderly, discuss cat-related risks with your healthcare provider.
Control fleas and avoid rough play with cats to prevent both scratches and disease.
Seek medical attention for persistent symptoms, signs of infection, or severe illness after a scratch.

References

Author

Sneha TeteBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Sneha is a relationships and lifestyle writer with a strong foundation in applied linguistics and certified training in relationship coaching. She brings over five years of writing experience to thebridalbox, crafting thoughtful, research-driven content that empowers readers to build healthier relationships, boost emotional well-being, and embrace holistic living.

Read full bio of Sneha Tete