All animal bites require treatment based on the type and severity of the wound.
Whether the bite is from a family pet or an animal in the wild, scratches and bites can become infected and cause scarring Animals can also carry diseases that can be transmitted through a bite. Approximately 5 percent of dog bites and 20 to 50 percent of cat bites become infected. Bites that break the skin and bites of the scalp, face, hand, wrist, or foot are more likely to become infected. Other animals can transmit rabies and tetanus. Rodents such as mice, rats, squirrels, chipmunks, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, and rabbits are at low risk to carry rabies.