AAnimals

got a new kitten that keeps scratching and biting me. They are just small but they have broken the skin. What should I be doing? (and humans) have a lot of bacteria in their mouths and under their claws (fingernails), which can cause an infection if a bite or scratch breaks the skin. You should clean the wound immediately by running warm tap water over it for a couple of minutes – even if the skin doesn’t appear to be broken — and remove any objects from a bite, such as teeth, hair or dirt. Encourage the wound to bleed slightly by gently squeezing it, unless it’s already bleeding freely. In that case, put a clean pad or sterile dressing over it and apply pressure.

Take painkillers if it’s sore (children under 16 years old shouldn’t take aspirin) and speak to your pharmacist or minor injury unit.

Animals can act unpredictably and bites aren’t always provoked. However, an animal is more likely to bite if it’s been disturbed or over excited.