First Aid for Animal and Human Bites

Animal and human bites can introduce bacteria deep into tissues, cause significant bleeding, and carry risks of infections such as tetanus, rabies, and bacterial cellulitis. Prompt first aid reduces complications and improves outcomes.

All bites from wild animals and non-immunized domestic animals carry the risk of rabies. Rabies is almost invariably fatal in humans after neurological symptoms have developed; there is only one known case of survival. Therefore, it is imperative that you seek emergency medical attention if bitten by a wild animal or an unknown domestic animal.

Rabies is most common in racoons, skunks, bats and foxes; dogs, cats, rabbits, squirrels and other rodents rarely carry rabies. If a bite victim has not had a tetanus shot within the last five, he or she should get a booster shot within 48 hours of being bitten.

Classification of Animal and Human Bites

• Dog bites: Often cause crushing injuries and lacerations; risk of Pasteurella and staphylococcal infections.
• Cat bites: Produce deep puncture wounds; high risk of Pasteurella multocida infection.
• Human bites: Risk of Eikenella corrodens, hepatitis B/C, and HIV; often occur on hands during fights.
• Wild animal bites: Possibility of rabies exposure from raccoons, bats, foxes, and skunks.

First Aid Treatment for Animal Bites

• If the animal bite does not break the skin, and there is no danger of rabies, wash the skin thoroughly with soap and water, apply an antibiotic cream, and cover the area with a clean bandage.
• If the bite does break the skin, apply pressure with a clean, dry cloth to stop the bleeding, and seek medical attention.
• If you do not know whether the animal has been immunized for rabies, seek urgent medical advice.
• If there is increased pain in the area of the bite, redness, swelling, or oozing, these are signs of infection; seek medical attention immediately.

First Aid Treatment for Human Bites

A human bite can be as dangerous or more dangerous than an animal bite because of the types of bacteria and viruses contained in our mouths. A cut to the knuckles sustained during a fight is also considered a human bite.

• Seek medical attention for any human bite. If the victim hasn’t had a tetanus shot within five years, get a booster shot within 48 hours of the injury.
• Stop any bleeding by applying direct pressure with a bandage or clean cloth.
• Thoroughly wash the wound with soap and water.
• If available, apply an over-the-counter antibiotic cream to prevent infection.

When to Seek Professional Medical Care

Seek urgent evaluation if any of the following apply:

• Wound is deep, gaping, or involves tendons, joints, or bones.
• Bleeding persists after 10–15 minutes of firm pressure.
• Bite involves the hands, feet, face, neck, or genitals.
• Signs of infection develop despite home care (red streaks, swelling, fever).
• You cannot confirm the animal’s vaccination status or suspect rabies exposure.
• The victim has diabetes, liver disease, or a suppressed immune system.

Treatment

To care for a minor animal bite or claw wound, such as one that only breaks the skin, take these steps:

• Wash the wound with soap and water.
• Apply an antibiotic cream or ointment and cover the bite with a clean bandage.

Prevention & Prophylaxis

• Monitor for early signs of infection: increased pain, redness, warmth, swelling, or purulent discharge, and fever. Seek care if these appear.
• A healthcare provider may prescribe prophylactic antibiotics—especially for cat bites, hand wounds, or immunocompromised patients—to prevent deep tissue infections.
• Verify tetanus immunization status; administer a booster if the wound is deep or dirty and the last dose was over 5 years ago.
• For bites by wild animals or unvaccinated pets, consult public health authorities about rabies post-exposure prophylaxis.

Potential Complications

• Bacterial cellulitis or abscess formation
• Tenosynovitis or septic arthritis (common with hand bites)
• Tetanus or rabies infection
• Transmission of bloodborne viruses (Hepatitis B, C, HIV)

REFERENCES

1. Thompson DA. Animal bite. In: Adult Telephone Protocols Office Version. 4th ed. American Academy of Pediatrics; 2022.
2. Bats. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/exposure/animals/bats.html.
3. Baddour LM, et al. Animal bites (dogs, cats, and other animals): Evaluation and management. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search.
4. John Furst, First Aid for Animal and Human Bites, January 16, 2019, https://www.firstaidforfree.com/first-aid-for-animal-and-human-bites/ 
5. Larry M Baddour, Marvin Harper, Patient education: Animal and human bites (Beyond the Basics), last updated: May 29, 2024, https://www.uptodate.com/contents/animal-and-human-bites-beyond-the-basics

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