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Animal bites can happen at home, outdoors, or around pets your family knows well. Most bites are minor, but some can lead to infection or, in rare cases, rabies. This guide explains what to look for, how to prevent bites, and when to get medical help.
What counts as an animal bite?
A bite or claw wound from a pet, farm animal or wild animal
Types of Bite Wounds
Type of Wound | What It Means | Infection Risk |
|---|---|---|
Bruise | Skin not broken | No risk |
Scrape, Scratch, or Abrasion | Top layer of skin removed | Low risk |
Cut or Laceration | Goes through skin into deeper tissue | Some risk |
Puncture Wound | Small, deep hole (common with cat bites) | Higher risk |
Pet Bites
|
|
Most bites come from familiar dogs and cats.
Indoor dogs and cats are usually vaccinated and low-risk for rabies.
The main concern is infection, especially with cat bites and bites on the face, hands, feet, and genitals.
Small Indoor Pet Animal Bites.
Small indoor pets are at no risk for rabies.
Examples of these pets are gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, or mice.
Tiny puncture wounds from these small animals also don’t need to be seen.
They carry a very small risk for wound infections.
How to Prevent Animal Bites
Around Pets
Always supervise young children around animals.
Teach children not to bother animals that are eating, sleeping, or caring for babies.
Avoid rough play like tug‑of‑war or wrestling.
Teach children to move calmly around animals.
Teach your child to ask a dog owner for permission before petting any dog.
Let a dog sniff you or your child before petting. Stay away from the face and tail.
Around Wild Animals
Stay away from wild or stray animals.
Do not touch dead animals.
Keep garbage cans closed to avoid attracting wildlife.
What To Do Right After a Bite
1. Clean the Wound
Wash with soap and water for 5 minutes.
Rinse under running water for a few more minutes.
2. Stop Bleeding
Press a clean cloth or gauze on the wound for 10 minutes.
3. Use Antibiotic Ointment
For small cuts, apply ointment 3 times a day for 3 days.
4. Reduce Pain or Swelling
Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen as needed.
For bruises, apply a cold pack for 20 minutes once.
Most minor wounds heal in 5–7 days.
Rabies
Which Animals Can Carry Rabies?
Rabies is rare but very serious. It spreads through saliva from infected animals.
Some wild animals can have rabies. Rabies is a disease that can kill people. Bites or scratches from any large wild animal can pass on rabies. Any bite by a wild animal should be considered a risk for rabies until proven otherwise.
Higher‑risk wild animals:
🦇 Bats - 90% of cases of rabies in humans are caused by bats. Bats have spread rabies without a visible bite mark.
🦝 Raccoons
🦨 Skunks
🦊 Foxes
🐺 Coyotes
Lower‑risk animals: 
🐿️ Squirrels, chipmunks, prairie dogs
🐇 Rabbits
🐁 Mice, rats
🐹 Indoor pets like hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs
Important: Any contact with a bat should be reported to your child’s doctor, even if you don’t see a bite.
Rabies Prevention
If the animal cannot be tested or watched for 10 days, your child may need:
Rabies immune globulin (injected around the bite)
A series of 4 rabies vaccines over two weeks
For rabies post-exposure prophylaxis, go to the Emergency Room - this is NOT something CPCMG is able to provide.
Click here for more information from San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency.
When to Call the Doctor
Contact your child’s doctor if:
The bite is a puncture wound (especially from a cat).
The bite is on the face, hand, foot, or genitals.
The wound is large or the skin edges don’t come together easily.
You see signs of infection: pus, redness, swelling, red streaks, or there is a swollen gland above the bite
Your child’s pain suddenly gets worse.
Your child has a fever.
A wild animal or bat was involved.
When to Seek Emergency Care
Go to the emergency room if:
Your child may need rabies treatment. This is NOT something CPCMG is able to provide.
The bleeding won’t stop.
The bite is severe or on the face.
📚 References
This content was adapted from HealthyChildren.org and American Academy of Pediatrics Patient Education materials. Reviewed by AR DO, JW MD, Patient Education Committee.