Doctors warn cat bites and scratches can cause severe infections

Cat bites and scratches can cause serious infections, including sepsis, and should be treated promptly, an Australian GP has warned. Rebecca Hoffman, a GP and chair of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners’ NSW/ACT faculty, said cats’ narrow teeth and sharp claws could penetrate deeply into tissue. Bacteria in saliva and on claws can then enter the body through puncture wounds.

The warning follows the experience of Nicky Stewart, who was bitten and scratched while rescuing her cat, Frankie, from a stray dog nine years ago. Her wrist quickly swelled and she became light-headed. She eventually required surgery and spent three days in hospital.

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare figures show that cat bites or strikes were the third most common reason for hospitalisation linked to contact with a person, plant or animal during the 2024–25 financial year. The number of cat-related hospitalisations rose from 1,219 in 2015–16 to 3,459 in 2024–25, according to the data. The figure was higher than hospitalisations associated with venomous snake bites.

Hoffman said outdoor and stray cats could present greater risks because of their exposure to other animals. People with diabetes or weakened immune systems may also be more vulnerable to serious infection. She advised anyone bitten or scratched to wash the wound thoroughly with soap and cold water.

If the skin has been broken, the person should seek care from a GP or urgent-care clinic. Fever, discoloured skin and other signs of worsening infection require emergency treatment because sepsis can be fatal.