First Aid For Dog Bite

Animal bites and scratches that break the skin can sometimes cause infection. Some bites need stitches while others heal on their own.

Rarely, bites from wild animals can lead to rabies, a life-threatening infection. Bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes cause most rabies cases.

What to Do

• Wash the bite area with soap and water. If the bite is bleeding, put pressure on it using sterile gauze or a clean cloth.
• If the bleeding has stopped, put antibiotic ointment on the area.
• Cover the area with a bandage or sterile gauze.

Get Medical Care If:

• The bite was from: a wild or stray animal, a pet that isn’t up-to-date on rabies shots, an animal that is acting strangely
• The bite has broken the skin.
• The bite is on the face, head, neck, hand, foot, or near a joint.
• A bite or scratch becomes red, hot, swollen, or more painful.