My daughter Ayla and her kitten are best friends. The kitten chases Ayla, and when Ayla goes to bed Kitten climbs right up with her on the bed and purrs and cuddles. They love each other.
They also play rough, like all kittens do. Sweetie (her name) is still only about 8 weeks maybe 10. While they were playing kitten was doing her biting play and ayla is always fine with it. But this time, sweetie caught her good enough to break the skin.

I looked it up and cat bites can be bad. So now I'm wondering if or when I should take her to the doctor. Or what I should look for if a doctor is needed.

This morning the marks are red but not swollen or puffy, just red. And she isn't complaining about them.

The kitten is healthy, and indoor cat, has all her shots, isn't fixed yet but will be soon.


Thanks for the help guys!

Cats don't carry antibodies in their saliva the way dogs do. The most dangerous are claw scratches because we all know what they do in their litter boxes, yuck !

JP, just keep the wound clean with antiseptic. It should be okay. Of course, if becomes puffy and oozes, then take her to the doctor to have it checked, but by now I don't think it is going to get that way.

Tick

OK thanks tickle :) I've been using antibiotic soap for her to wash her hand, and last night I used peroxide on it. Maybe I should put some antibiotic ointment on it?

ok thanks tickle :) ive been using antibiotic soap for her to wash her hand, and last night i used peroxide on it. maybe i should put some antibiotic ointment on it?

You don't have to overdue the antibiotic; the soap and peroxide (not too much of that as well) will do fine. I use teatree oil a lot for its natural qualities and antibacterial properties.

I would concur with the advise you have received. Not an expert by any means, however,I do have three cats and the bites are not what I worry about, but the scratching. If your kitten is vacinated and is an inside kitty, then less to worry about also. If you choose to use an antibiotic on the sight, polysporin is better overall (as per my dermotolgist.)

Cat bites often are quite painful, and are usually deep enough that surface washing and antiseptic treatments are not effective on those deep infections. I personally have not had any drainage from any bites, but found that a few days of antibiotics made the loss of function go away. The cat's mouth is not sterile, by a long site.

My recommendation is to modify the playing techniques. 'Play', to a cat, is hunting practice. And a successful hunt results in a kill. Introduce the hand as a play object and expect to get bitten, to some degree, at some time.