What You Should Know About Dogs Getting Scratched By A Cat

Cats often avoid confrontation with dogs whenever possible. However, if a dog keeps taunting them, they may fire a warning shot in the form of a hiss, swat, or scratch.

The most common place where cats scratch dogs are on their face, which often results in eye injuries. The scratch could damage the eye’s surface, leading to an ulcer on the eye, which can be pretty sore. It could also lead to a puncture injury if the cat’s claw becomes embedded in the eye.

If a cat scratches your dog’s face, you should get them to a vet as soon as possible to have their eyes checked out. Scratches on the body are often less severe and may heal without visiting the vet. However, there is a likelihood your dog may get an infection since bacteria is introduced through the cat’s claws.

The common infection dogs may experience from a cat’s scratch is Bartonellosis, otherwise known as Cat Scratch Fever. The infection does not affect every dog that gets scratched by a cat, but those who are infected may experience fever, lethargy, breathing issues, enlarged lymph nodes, joint pain, and weight loss. Usually, it is best to contact your vet if you notice your dog is sick after a cat scratch.