Can a Cat Bite Transmit Rabies?
Yes, cat bites can absolutely transmit rabies, and in fact, more cats than dogs have been reported rabid in the United States during recent decades, making feline rabies an important public health concern. 1
Why Cats Are High-Risk Rabies Vectors
Cats have surpassed dogs in reported rabies cases in the continental United States, with the majority of cases associated with raccoon rabies in the eastern United States 1
The high number of rabid cats is attributed to:
Rabies virus is shed in cat saliva several days before clinical signs appear, making apparently healthy cats potentially infectious 2
Immediate Management Algorithm for Cat Bites
Step 1: Wound Care (Critical First Step)
- Immediately wash and flush the bite wound thoroughly with soap and water for approximately 15 minutes 3
- This simple measure alone can markedly reduce the likelihood of rabies transmission 1, 3
- Apply an iodine-containing or similarly viricidal topical preparation to the wound where available 3
Step 2: Assess the Cat's Status
If the cat is a healthy domestic pet (owned, identifiable):
- Confine and observe the cat for 10 days 1
- Cats that remain alive and healthy for 10 days after the bite would not have been shedding rabies virus at the time of the bite and were not infectious 1
- Any illness during confinement must be immediately evaluated by a veterinarian and reported to the local public health department 1
- If rabies signs develop, euthanize the cat immediately and submit the head for laboratory testing 1
If the cat is stray, unwanted, or cannot be captured:
- Initiate rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) immediately 1, 3
- Either euthanize the cat immediately and submit for testing, or begin PEP without delay if the animal cannot be observed 1
Step 3: Risk Factors That Increase Rabies Likelihood
- Unprovoked attacks are more likely to indicate rabies than bites occurring when attempting to feed or handle the cat 1
- Regional epidemiology matters—consult local health departments about rabies prevalence in your area 1, 3
- Cats with unknown or inadequate vaccination history carry higher risk 1
- Cat bites to the hand carry the greatest risk of infection (both rabies and bacterial) 4
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Protocol
For previously unvaccinated persons exposed to a cat that cannot be observed or tests positive:
- Rabies immune globulin (RIG): 20 IU/kg body weight on day 0, with as much as possible infiltrated into and around the wound 3
- Rabies vaccine series: days 0,3,7,14, and 28 1, 3
- This is a medical urgency, not an emergency, but should not be delayed once exposure is confirmed 1, 3
Critical Pitfalls to Avoid
- Do not delay PEP while attempting to locate an escaped cat—begin prophylaxis immediately if the cat cannot be observed 1, 3
- Inadequate wound cleansing dramatically increases transmission risk—thorough washing is essential and can be lifesaving 1, 3
- Failing to infiltrate RIG directly into the wound site reduces effectiveness 3
- Do not assume a cat is low-risk because it appears healthy—virus shedding precedes clinical signs by several days 2
- Delayed reporting of illness in a confined cat during the 10-day observation period can result in unnecessary human exposure 1
Special Considerations
- The 10-day observation period is reliable only for domestic cats (and dogs and ferrets)—not for other animals or wild animal hybrids 1
- A cat with documented current rabies vaccination is unlikely to become infected, though rare breakthrough cases have been reported 1
- Cat bite wounds have high infection rates (over 50% harbor Pasteurella multocida), so tetanus prophylaxis and bacterial infection control measures are also indicated 3, 4
- In developing countries where canine rabies is endemic, cats represent an emerging public health issue as dog vaccination programs improve 5