Can a dog scratch cause problems

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated September 14, 2024

Contributions sourced from

Health Risks of a Dog Scratch

Dogs are among the most popular animal companions. In fact, its estimated that dogs live in about 38 percent of households in the United States.

Still, as with having any other pet, its important to be aware of the variety of diseases and health risks that may be transmitted from your canine companion. Some of these health risks may be derived from dog scratches that arise from playing, feeding, and coming into contact with an unknown animal.

Not all dog scratches are serious, but its important to be on the lookout for possible signs of infection, and call a doctor to rule out more serious health consequences.

Read on to learn about possible health risks from dog scratches and how to treat and prevent them.

Daily interactions with your dog including playtime can sometimes result in scratches. These might occur from your dogs nails when they step on you or jump up on you, as well as accidentally scratching you with their teeth while playing fetch or during feedings.

When you get scratched by a dog, you may notice red marks on your skin. These may temporarily become painful and swollen and, in more severe cases, lead to more serious health risks. Possibilities may include:

excessive bleeding
infections, such as Capnocytophaga bacteria
tetanus, which is caused by Clostridium tetani bacteria
rabies, a serious viral infection
sepsis, a life-threatening emergency caused by the spread of an infection to vital organs

Any dog scratch including those that seem mild and harmless ought to be treated immediately to prevent infection and other health complications. Consider the following steps:

First, wash (but dont scrub) the dog scratch wound with warm water and soap. Rinse for at least 5 minutes. Pat dry with a clean towel.
If the dog scratch is bleeding, apply pressure to the area with a clean gauze pad.
Apply an over-the-counter (OTC) antibiotic cream or ointment.
Cover the wound with a sterile bandage.

Some dogs carry a bacteria in their mouths called Capnocytophaga. While these bacteria rarely spread to people, theres still a chance of getting sick from exposure to an animals saliva, especially if you have a weakened immune system.

Capnocytophaga infections can progress quickly, even becoming life-threatening. Possible symptoms related to this type of infection include:

swelling
redness and blisters
pus from the bite
fever
headache
muscle or joint aches
abdominal pain
diarrhea
vomiting

Call or visit a doctor if youre experiencing any signs of infection post-dog scratch. Its also a good idea to seek medical attention any time youve been scratched by a dog especially if the dog isnt your own.

Rabies is a type of viral infection that can occur when bitten by an animal thats infected. This is a serious infection that can be fatal in both animals and humans, due to the viruss attack on the nervous system.

While animal-to-animal transmission is possible, its not as common for humans to be infected by household pets in the United States. Part of this reduced risk is attributed to rabies vaccines in domesticated animals.

Still, rabies ought to be considered in the case of a serious wound from a dog, particularly if its a stray dog or one who hasnt been vaccinated against rabies. The virus may be transmitted through an infected dogs saliva from biting or accidental scratching.

How a dog with rabies may behave

A dog who is infected with rabies may have the following symptoms:

behavioral changes
reduced appetite
voice changes/changes to their barks
panting
anxiety and restlessness
attempted attacks on people and other animals
paralysis

What to do if you suspect youve been bitted by a dog with rabies

If youve been bitten or scratched by a dog with an unknown rabies vaccination status, call a doctor. They may recommend treatment with rabies vaccines as well as antibodies.

Humans (with the exception of veterinarians and other professionals who handle animals) dont typically get the rabies vaccine unless theyve been exposed to the virus from an infected animal.

Symptoms of a rabies infection

Symptoms of rabies are slow to develop, taking several weeks or months. Waiting to seek treatment until youre symptomatic may have life-threatening consequences.

Possible signs of rabies in humans may include:

fatigue
fever
headache
weakness
anxiety
hallucinations, and other neurological changes

While its not always possible to avoid all cases of dog scratches, you may help minimize your risk of getting sick by:

washing your hands after playing with and feeding your dog
carefully washing scratches that do occur
bandaging dog scratches and any subsequent open wounds
keeping your dog up-to-date on their vaccines
avoiding contact with other dogs that may be feral or unvaccinated
walking your dog on a leash to prevent exposure to wild animals
asking your doctor if youre up to date on your vaccines

Also, if you have your own dog, you may help reduce the risk of scratches from toenails and bites by training your dog not to jump up on you, and to use their mouths softly during playtime and feedings.

Getting scratched by your dog can happen, especially during feeding and playtime. While you can train your dog to be more gentle, occasional scratches are still inevitable. Your risk may also be greater when coming into contact with a wild dog, or a domesticated one whos not your own.

Washing a dog scratch wound is critical in preventing infections. Depending on the severity of the wound, you may consider calling your doctor regarding next steps.

Seek medical care if youre injured by a dog who isnt yours, if youve been bitten, are bleeding excessively, or are experiencing flu-like symptoms.

Why Is My Dog So Itchy? Possible Causes & Treatment

Are you thinking about your dogs frequent scratching, licking, and rolling around on the rug? You may be feeling itchy yourself, just from watching all this activity!

There are many reasons your dog may be itchy. Many veterinarians believe its best to find the cause of the itch sooner rather than later. While occasional scratching can be normal for dogs, frequent scratching could indicate a medical condition that may get worse over time.

According to a 2023 Nationwide Survey on pet insurance data, for the eleventh year in a row allergic dermatitis (skin allergies) was the top reason dogs were brought into the vet. This condition can make your dog itchy and cause them to show signs like frequent scratching, recurrent ear infections, and skin changes. Continue on to learn more about allergic dermatitis and why August is such a special month.

Possible Cause of Your Dogs Itchy Skin

So, whats behind your dogs itchy skin? It may be caused by a medical condition called skin allergies. This means your dogs body overreacts to an allergen in the environment or to food, which makes them feel itchy. There are several potential culprits:

Flea allergy: Flea bites can create extremely itchy areas on your dog. They can be found anywhere on the body, but are most common at the hind legs, tail base, and rear end. Just because you dont see any fleas on your dog does not mean they arent there keep in mind that a bite from a single flea can make your dog very itchy.
Food allergy: Your dogs itching might be caused by a food allergy. Some dogs are allergic to common dog food ingredients such as beef, chicken, and dairy products.1 Food allergies in dogs can lead to changes to the skin around their paws, face, armpits, and belly.
Environmental allergy: Your dog may be allergic to environmental triggers like pollen, mold spores, or dust mites. Environmental allergens can cause allergic itch during certain seasons, or even year-round. Dogs with environmental allergies will often have changes to the skin around their face, belly, and paws.
Contact allergy: Your dog may be allergic to substances it encounters daily. These can include things like household cleaners, shampoos, insecticides, and plants. Dogs with contact allergies will often be itchy in the area that touched the contact allergen.

Skin allergies can make your dog uncomfortable. They can also lead to secondary health problems if there is a delay in treatment. When a dog licks or scratches an area excessively, it can damage the skin and lead to skin infections and wounds. These can cause changes like hair loss, body odor, and inflammation. Severe skin infections and wounds may even be painful for your dog.

How to Relieve Your Dogs Itchy Skin

When your dog experiences these skin changes because of skin allergies, it can be tempting to try an over-the-counter treatment or home remedy. However, using an OTC or at-home solution may not relieve your dogs itch. The following treatment options are commonly available and may offer some itch relief but may not be the best option for your dog.

Over-the-counter shampoos and oils. Treatments like coconut oil and itch-relief shampoos only provide temporary relief. Your dogs itch may come back because the root cause has not been addressed.
Antihistamines. While studies have shown that antihistamines may relieve allergies in humans well, antihistamines are less helpful in relieving itch in dogs with environmental allergies. In fact, it has been shown that antihistamines likely offer little to no benefit in treating environmental allergies in many dogs.
Prescription steroids. Steroids prescribed by a vet can be effective in reducing itchiness in your dog, but they may cause side effects5 in your furry friend. Dogs on prescription steroids often experience increased urination, thirst, and weight gain. They can also experience behavior shifts such as increased aggression.

August is Itchy Pet Awareness Month. If your dog is scratching frequently in August or any time of year, schedule an appointment with your vet to discuss the most effective ways to relieve your dogs itch. If your dog has skin allergies, then a prescription treatment from your vet may be needed to get your favorite sidekick feeling better. So, call your vet today!

American poet Ogden Nash said, Happiness is having a scratch for every itch. For your dog, happiness is relieving the source of every itch.

5 Skin Conditions Dogs Can Pass On To Humans

If you are like most dog parents, then you frequently give your dog hugs and snuggle up to them.

You might even allow your dog to sleep in the same bed as you.

Did you know there are some pretty serious skin problems that you can get from your dog?

Here are 5 dog skin conditions (plus one painful disease) that dogs can pass onto humans

How Dog Skin Conditions Transfer To Humans

Dogs typically get these skin conditions while playing outside, in dog parks, or while roaming the neighborhood.

However, believe it or not, your dog can actually pass on a skin condition to you without having the skin condition himself!

For example, one way that a dog can pass on a skin condition is by being petted. If someone pets your dog and they have a skin condition, if your dog rubs on you or you pet him, then you have a good chance of getting the skin condition yourself.

Who knew???

Like people, all animals carry germs But pets also carry certain bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi that can cause illness if transmitted to humans. Humans get these animal-borne diseases when theyre bitten or scratched or have contact with an animals waste, saliva, or dander. Source

5 Skin Conditions Dogs Can Pass Onto Humans

#1 Im sure youve heard of people getting Staph Infections, like MRSA, while in the hospital. Did you know that you can get a Staph Infection from your dog? Some Staph Infections cannot be treated with common antibiotics. Dogs pick up the bacteria for a Staph Infection from a person. Then, if your dog bites another person (or, if his saliva simply enters through a cut on the persons hand or some other open wound), the Staph Infection gets passed on to that person as well.

#2 Another skin condition that you can get from your dog is Scabies. Scabies is caused by a mite that is known to hang around kennels and pet shops. Scabies is a red bumpy rash with white flakes and the mites (known as Sarcoptic Mites and Mange) appear to be moving under the skin. Ive had experience with Scabies. When Iwas around 8, my entire family got infected with Scabies. It itches really bad. Our family doctor treated it with a prescribed lotion. A friend of mine also got Scabies from a dog that she rescued.

Here are 3 other dog skin conditions that can be passed on to humans:

#3 Ringworm This is actually a fungus, not an actual worm. (Its highly contagious to humans and other pets.)
#4 Hookworm This can cause abdominal pain, anemia, and diarrhea. (Heres more about how hookworms can infect humans.)
#5 Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Your dog gets this from a tick bite. (My same friends dog also got Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, in addition to the Scabies.)

What About Lyme Disease?

While not a skin problem, another serious medical condition that you can get from your dog is Lyme Disease.

Ifa tick that has infected your dog getsonto your own body, then you would be exposed to Lyme Disease as well. Lyme Disease can be painful and debilitating for both humans and dogs.