Cat bite hospitalisations almost triple in past decade
Cat bites and scratches hospitalised 3,459 Australians in 2024-25, nearly triple the 1,219 cases recorded ten years earlier.
Cat bites and scratches are a growing threat. In the past decade, cat-related hospitalisations have almost tripled, reaching 3,459 cases in 2024-25.
Cat bites and scratches are now the third most common reason for animal-related hospital admissions. More Australians are hospitalised by cat wounds than by venomous snake bites.
The danger comes from cats' sharp, narrow teeth and claws. They penetrate deep into tissue, causing puncture and crush injuries that introduce serious infections.
A GP advises anyone bitten or scratched by a cat to immediately wash the wound with soap and cold water. Seek treatment if the skin is broken, as antibiotics are often needed to prevent infection.
- 3,459
- Hospitalisations in 2024-25
- 1,219
- Cases in 2015-16
- Third most common
- Ranking by animal cause
- Venomous snake bites
- More common than
Why it mattersCat wounds that seem harmless can rapidly turn into serious infections; prompt cleaning and medical attention are critical even for small bites.
AustraliaAffects Australian cat owners and anyone handling cats; doctors say the rising hospitalisation rate reflects both the danger and the need to take even minor cat wounds seriously.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 25 min ago
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