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Why Cat Bites Should Always Be Taken Seriously
If you or someone you know is bitten by a cat, you should always be concerned. Cat bites lead to infections in humans and other animals that are difficult to treat much more often than do dog bites.
In fact, a recent Mayo Clinic study showed that one out of every three cat bites that occur on a person's hand leads to hospitalization. Of those people, around 2/3 require surgery on the injured hand.
Why Are Cat Bites So Dangerous?
Cats have sharper teeth than dogs, and they often puncture more deeply when they bite, but the hole in the skin is small and heals over quickly. This allows bacteria from the cat's mouth to be deposited deep into the tissue and quickly sealed in.
When a bite is on the hand, the chances are good that bacteria is deposited near a joint or tendon sheath, and these areas are enclosed spots that are quite prone to bacterial growth. Antibiotics usually can't get into joints or tendon sheaths to kill the bacteria, so surgery is usually required. The area must be opened up and flushed out. Any damage that the infection has already done to those sensitive structures must then be repaired.
When a bite is not on the hand, it can still be dangerous. Certain types of bacteria that are common in cats' mouths, including Pasteurella multocida, can quickly spread to surrounding tissue and even get into the blood stream, resulting in cellulitis and septicemia, which is extremely dangerous.
Children, seniors, those who are immune compromised, and people who are sick are at even greater risk of developing serious problems from cat bites.
Not only that, but sometimes the tip of a cat's tooth, especially if the kitty is young, may be left inside the wound, as well. X-rays are often done to ensure that hasn't happened.
Don't Dismiss the Seriousness of a Cat Bite
If you are bitten by a cat, wash the area right away with warm water and soap. Avoid scrubbing vigorously or using chemicals on the area, which may irritate the tissue.
Visit your doctor right away to determine if further treatment is warranted. Your doctor will also need to determine whether rabies prophylaxis is necessary. Rabies is transferred through saliva, and it is almost 100% fatal when it isn't treated immediately.
Customer Experiences
Mondo Deluxe, Muffin Blanket
We bought the mondo deluxe and are so happy we did. The bed on top is EVERYTHING. Until now, we’ve just had a standard post that had a 4” top that our cats would sit upright on. This elevated bed has allowed them to remain up high but in a WAY more comfortable position. I had considered the Purrfect View that has the additional side perch and post but am glad I stuck with the simplicity of this setup. I will say that my cats are jumping from the ground directly into the bed, so maybe the purrfect view would be good for smaller cats who have trouble reaching the top of the 41” bed? But who am I kidding - we know cats…they’ll get what they want when they want it. One of our cats, Harry (orange and white in pics) is the biggest portliest cat we’ve ever known. He’s pushing 22 pounds and as you can see from the pic, easily almost reaches the top of the bed to take the muffin blanket when he stands up …. which is 41” tall. I would swear he’s 50 feet long, but no matter his length (he tries to eat my measuring tape when I try to measure) he seems VERY comfortable in the 17” bed and the post holds up well to his beastly girth jumping and landing on top. Can’t recommend this post enough.
Mondo Deluxe, Muffin Blanket
We bought the mondo deluxe and are so happy we did. The bed on top is EVERYTHING. Until now, we’ve just had a standard post that had a 4” top that our cats would sit upright on. This elevated bed has allowed them to remain up high but in a WAY more comfortable position. I had considered the Purrfect View that has the additional side perch and post but am glad I stuck with the simplicity of this setup. I will say that my cats are jumping from the ground directly into the bed, so maybe the purrfect view would be good for smaller cats who have trouble reaching the top of the 41” bed? But who am I kidding - we know cats…they’ll get what they want when they want it. One of our cats, Harry (orange and white in pics) is the biggest portliest cat we’ve ever known. He’s pushing 22 pounds and as you can see from the pic, easily almost reaches the top of the bed to take the muffin blanket when he stands up …. which is 41” tall. I would swear he’s 50 feet long, but no matter his length (he tries to eat my measuring tape when I try to measure) he seems VERY comfortable in the 17” bed and the post holds up well to his beastly girth jumping and landing on top. Can’t recommend this post enough.
Mondo Deluxe, Muffin Blanket
We bought the mondo deluxe and are so happy we did. The bed on top is EVERYTHING. Until now, we’ve just had a standard post that had a 4” top that our cats would sit upright on. This elevated bed has allowed them to remain up high but in a WAY more comfortable position. I had considered the Purrfect View that has the additional side perch and post but am glad I stuck with the simplicity of this setup. I will say that my cats are jumping from the ground directly into the bed, so maybe the purrfect view would be good for smaller cats who have trouble reaching the top of the 41” bed? But who am I kidding - we know cats…they’ll get what they want when they want it. One of our cats, Harry (orange and white in pics) is the biggest portliest cat we’ve ever known. He’s pushing 22 pounds and as you can see from the pic, easily almost reaches the top of the bed to take the muffin blanket when he stands up …. which is 41” tall. I would swear he’s 50 feet long, but no matter his length (he tries to eat my measuring tape when I try to measure) he seems VERY comfortable in the 17” bed and the post holds up well to his beastly girth jumping and landing on top. Can’t recommend this post enough.
Mondo Deluxe, Muffin Blanket
We bought the mondo deluxe and are so happy we did. The bed on top is EVERYTHING. Until now, we’ve just had a standard post that had a 4” top that our cats would sit upright on. This elevated bed has allowed them to remain up high but in a WAY more comfortable position. I had considered the Purrfect View that has the additional side perch and post but am glad I stuck with the simplicity of this setup. I will say that my cats are jumping from the ground directly into the bed, so maybe the purrfect view would be good for smaller cats who have trouble reaching the top of the 41” bed? But who am I kidding - we know cats…they’ll get what they want when they want it. One of our cats, Harry (orange and white in pics) is the biggest portliest cat we’ve ever known. He’s pushing 22 pounds and as you can see from the pic, easily almost reaches the top of the bed to take the muffin blanket when he stands up …. which is 41” tall. I would swear he’s 50 feet long, but no matter his length (he tries to eat my measuring tape when I try to measure) he seems VERY comfortable in the 17” bed and the post holds up well to his beastly girth jumping and landing on top. Can’t recommend this post enough.
Mondo Deluxe, Muffin Blanket
We bought the mondo deluxe and are so happy we did. The bed on top is EVERYTHING. Until now, we’ve just had a standard post that had a 4” top that our cats would sit upright on. This elevated bed has allowed them to remain up high but in a WAY more comfortable position. I had considered the Purrfect View that has the additional side perch and post but am glad I stuck with the simplicity of this setup. I will say that my cats are jumping from the ground directly into the bed, so maybe the purrfect view would be good for smaller cats who have trouble reaching the top of the 41” bed? But who am I kidding - we know cats…they’ll get what they want when they want it. One of our cats, Harry (orange and white in pics) is the biggest portliest cat we’ve ever known. He’s pushing 22 pounds and as you can see from the pic, easily almost reaches the top of the bed to take the muffin blanket when he stands up …. which is 41” tall. I would swear he’s 50 feet long, but no matter his length (he tries to eat my measuring tape when I try to measure) he seems VERY comfortable in the 17” bed and the post holds up well to his beastly girth jumping and landing on top. Can’t recommend this post enough.
Mondo Deluxe, Muffin Blanket
We bought the mondo deluxe and are so happy we did. The bed on top is EVERYTHING. Until now, we’ve just had a standard post that had a 4” top that our cats would sit upright on. This elevated bed has allowed them to remain up high but in a WAY more comfortable position. I had considered the Purrfect View that has the additional side perch and post but am glad I stuck with the simplicity of this setup. I will say that my cats are jumping from the ground directly into the bed, so maybe the purrfect view would be good for smaller cats who have trouble reaching the top of the 41” bed? But who am I kidding - we know cats…they’ll get what they want when they want it. One of our cats, Harry (orange and white in pics) is the biggest portliest cat we’ve ever known. He’s pushing 22 pounds and as you can see from the pic, easily almost reaches the top of the bed to take the muffin blanket when he stands up …. which is 41” tall. I would swear he’s 50 feet long, but no matter his length (he tries to eat my measuring tape when I try to measure) he seems VERY comfortable in the 17” bed and the post holds up well to his beastly girth jumping and landing on top. Can’t recommend this post enough.
Mondo Deluxe, Muffin Blanket
We bought the mondo deluxe and are so happy we did. The bed on top is EVERYTHING. Until now, we’ve just had a standard post that had a 4” top that our cats would sit upright on. This elevated bed has allowed them to remain up high but in a WAY more comfortable position. I had considered the Purrfect View that has the additional side perch and post but am glad I stuck with the simplicity of this setup. I will say that my cats are jumping from the ground directly into the bed, so maybe the purrfect view would be good for smaller cats who have trouble reaching the top of the 41” bed? But who am I kidding - we know cats…they’ll get what they want when they want it. One of our cats, Harry (orange and white in pics) is the biggest portliest cat we’ve ever known. He’s pushing 22 pounds and as you can see from the pic, easily almost reaches the top of the bed to take the muffin blanket when he stands up …. which is 41” tall. I would swear he’s 50 feet long, but no matter his length (he tries to eat my measuring tape when I try to measure) he seems VERY comfortable in the 17” bed and the post holds up well to his beastly girth jumping and landing on top. Can’t recommend this post enough.
Mondo Deluxe, Muffin Blanket
We bought the mondo deluxe and are so happy we did. The bed on top is EVERYTHING. Until now, we’ve just had a standard post that had a 4” top that our cats would sit upright on. This elevated bed has allowed them to remain up high but in a WAY more comfortable position. I had considered the Purrfect View that has the additional side perch and post but am glad I stuck with the simplicity of this setup. I will say that my cats are jumping from the ground directly into the bed, so maybe the purrfect view would be good for smaller cats who have trouble reaching the top of the 41” bed? But who am I kidding - we know cats…they’ll get what they want when they want it. One of our cats, Harry (orange and white in pics) is the biggest portliest cat we’ve ever known. He’s pushing 22 pounds and as you can see from the pic, easily almost reaches the top of the bed to take the muffin blanket when he stands up …. which is 41” tall. I would swear he’s 50 feet long, but no matter his length (he tries to eat my measuring tape when I try to measure) he seems VERY comfortable in the 17” bed and the post holds up well to his beastly girth jumping and landing on top. Can’t recommend this post enough.
