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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Cat bit my DD age 3. What to do

54 replies

Tiredallthetime97 · 09/09/2022 11:41

A cat on our road bit my toddler on her arm this morning. She had a fleece on so wasn’t directly on her skin but the bite went through her fleece and has broken the skin slightly. I washed her arm. Is there anything else I need to do?

OP posts:
workinitout · 09/09/2022 11:43

Disinfect it. Leep am eye on it. Keep her away from cats. They do bite.

Connie2468 · 09/09/2022 11:44

She needs to be seen by a nurse, call your GP. Cat bites that break the skin always need to be checked.

BobMortimersPocketMeat · 09/09/2022 11:46

www.nhs.uk/conditions/animal-and-human-bites/

Happenchance · 09/09/2022 11:47

Cat bites are nasty pasties. It needs to be checked.

villainousbroodmare · 09/09/2022 11:48

Needs antibiotics for certain . Cat bites are filthy and invariably get infected.

ofwarren · 09/09/2022 11:49

Usually have to have antibiotics for a cat bite

Flossie2shoes · 09/09/2022 11:50

Happenchance · 09/09/2022 11:47

Cat bites are nasty pasties. It needs to be checked.

Top marks for getting nasty pasties into your reply.
Op, agree with the others - get it looked at. My Mum got a horribly infected hand after an argument with her cat over a tablet.

Changeismine · 09/09/2022 11:50

I adore cats but if they bite anyone, it's a dirty, germ filled bite and someone medical needs to look at the wound and advise.

AnnaMagnani · 09/09/2022 11:50

I have had millions of cat bites and only needed antibiotics once.

That time it was obvious within minutes.

AppleKatie · 09/09/2022 11:51

I would keep an eye for a couple of days, if it looks red or otherwise infected go to the doctors, otherwise don’t worry about it.

Somuchgoo · 09/09/2022 11:58

We had a cat with a serious attitude problem and she bit me (drawing blood) on a daily basis. I didn't get any medical attention or I'd have moved into the hospital. However she was predominantly indoor, and the bites were all from her.

With a random cat, I'd be a bit more careful, though I'd probably just disinfect and clean and keep an eye on it at first instance rather than start antibiotics.

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 09/09/2022 12:00

I've had 5 cats during the time I have had 2 DC. None of us have ever needed antibiotics. Just make sure you have cleaned it properly and keep an eye on it

LuffleGro · 09/09/2022 12:02

The risk is cat scratch fever I would thoroughly clean and disinfect the wound and keep a close eye on it and look out for symptoms.

ZeroFuchsGiven · 09/09/2022 12:05

What on earth was your 3 year old doing to a random cat that it felt the need to bite?

Crunchymum · 09/09/2022 12:14

AnnaMagnani · 09/09/2022 11:50

I have had millions of cat bites and only needed antibiotics once.

That time it was obvious within minutes.

This.

And if wasn't a bite. It was severe scratches (I stupidly got between my cat fighting with another and they both turned on me). I ended up on x2 antibiotics for 10 days and needing a tetanus!!!

A bite, through a fleece won't warrant any medical treatment. By all means ring 111 to double check.

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 09/09/2022 12:19

ZeroFuchsGiven · 09/09/2022 12:05

What on earth was your 3 year old doing to a random cat that it felt the need to bite?

Not much is needed. Cats can be twats

Acatnamedfox · 09/09/2022 12:23

ZeroFuchsGiven · 09/09/2022 12:05

What on earth was your 3 year old doing to a random cat that it felt the need to bite?

Why are you victim blaming?

Bestcatmum · 09/09/2022 12:25

My cat bit my neighbour (after me telling her 500 million times not to pet the cat because she is feral) and she developed sepsis because their saliva is full of toxins and neighbour had to go to hospital for IV antibiotics so do please get the bite checked.

ZeroFuchsGiven · 09/09/2022 12:36

Acatnamedfox · 09/09/2022 12:23

Why are you victim blaming?

Show quote history

Victim blaming? Grin
It was a genuine question, My cat is probably the queen of arsehole behaviour and is very prone to biting and scratching but that is generally when she feels trapped or scared, she doesnt maul toddlers in the street, but possibly would try if they done something like try to pick her up.

BlueKaftan · 09/09/2022 12:39

The cat is the victim. Toddlers should be taught to stay away from cats they don’t know and be gentle with the ones they do know.

HangOnToYourself · 09/09/2022 12:41

I'd take her to your local pharmacy for them to look at it and advise. I think they can now prescribe antibiotics if they think its necessary

Original poster
Tiredallthetime97 · 09/09/2022 12:46

Thanks. I spoke to the GP and she wants her to come in just to make sure. My DD was just putting her arm out to stroke her and he bit. Speaking to somebody on our road the cat regularly goes to other peoples houses and has been known to be quite vicious before. He does have a home but is always out apparently

OP posts:
DixonD · 09/09/2022 12:50

A bit dramatic.

I’ve had cats since the 80s. Bitten, scratched, pretty much everything. I have a scar from one scratch.

NEVER had an antibiotic or even seen anyone to check it.

Cats do bite. A lot. You can’t go to the GP every time they do it. They would be inundated.😂

BadNomad · 09/09/2022 13:06

Cats are crazy. I have always rough-played with mine. They love it. Been bitten and clawed countless times without any issues, except one time that left a scar. There wasn't anything remarkable about that incidence. It just scarred.

CoastalWave · 09/09/2022 13:12

Don't. Stroke. Random. Cats.

God knows why you would think it was a good idea?!