Key takeaways

  • If you experience a dog bite, move to a safe area to avoid further injury. If the bite is severe, call 911 immediately for medical assistance.
  • If the skin is not broken, you may not need urgent medical assistance. Instead, clean the area with warm water and soap, apply an antibiotic ointment, and monitor the bite for symptoms of infection.
  • To prevent dog bites from other people’s dogs, ask before petting, report stray dogs, and watch out for signs of hostility. Proper socialization and training can reduce the risk of your dog biting someone.

Some dogs bite when they feel threatened, but others may bite when they’re roughhousing with you during playtime, or in situations that they’re not trained or prepared for.

Whether it’s your dog or a friend’s, it’s worth thinking ahead and taking precautions to make sure no dog ever feels that it has to bite you or has the opportunity during a normal routine.

This article explains how to react when a dog bites you, proper care to take, and ways you may be able to prevent bites from your or other dogs.

The most appropriate way to handle a dog bite depends on its severity. If possible, it’s important to move to a safe area away from the dog to prevent further injury.

If someone is with you and the bite is severe, have them seek help or call 911 to get medical treatment as soon as possible.

If 911 gives you specific first aid instructions, follow their advice. Otherwise, the following first aid steps may be beneficial.

Is the skin broken?

If the bite has broken your skin, do the following:

  1. Rinse the area: If possible, rinse the area immediately with warm, clean water and gentle, unscented soap.
  2. Apply a small amount of pressure to the area: This increases bleeding temporarily and gets out excess bacteria.
  3. Put a cloth over the wound: Applying a clean cloth and pressure can help stop the bleeding.
  4. Use antibiotic lotion or ointment: Once the bleeding at the bite has slowed down, add ointment and firmly wrap it with a clean bandage.
  5. Change the bandage regularly: Do this especially if it bleeds through.

Skin not broken?

If the skin is not broken and you aren’t bleeding, use the following first aid steps:

  1. Rinse the bite with warm water and soap.
  2. Apply an antibiotic ointment to help kill bacteria.

Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the following symptoms:

  • redness or irritation
  • swelling
  • warmth or tenderness
  • pain is getting more intense
  • bleeding getting worse
  • fever
  • visible tissue underneath, such as bones or muscles
  • loss of ability to move any limbs that were bitten
  • injury oozes discharge or pus
»More on this:Signs of infection

Here’s a quick rundown of what to expect from medical attention.

  • A minor wound still needs examination: Even if you’ve cleaned it thoroughly and don’t have any symptoms, an exam can prevent possible infection. You may need to get a rabies or tetanus vaccine if you aren’t already vaccinated.
  • Quick treatment is crucial: Prompt treatment helps prevent long-term infection risk or permanent tissue damage. A dog’s saliva can contain many types of bacteria, including Capnocytophaga canimorsus, which can cause severe infection.
  • If your bite is open and bleeding, your doctor may use surgical adhesive: They may prefer this over stitches in certain areas because your body may reject the stitches.
  • In especially severe cases, your doctor may need to perform surgery: They may use a skin graft to replace any lost or damaged skin, or create a skin flap with surrounding tissue to ensure the wound heals fully.

Dogs carry bacteria in their mouths, such as Capnocytophaga, that can cause infections that can be dangerous or deadly without treatment.

The following tips can help you prevent infection after a dog bite:

  • Rinse the bite with water and gentle soap: Do this as soon as possible after a dog bites.
  • Apply antibiotic ointments: This will help kill bacteria on your skin.
  • Put a bandage on the bite: Do this after you’ve cleaned the affected area and change the bandage regularly.
  • See your doctor right away: Call your doctor if you notice any symptoms of infection, which can start to appear anywhere from 24 hours after the bite up to a few weeks afterward. The risk of infection after dog bites ranges from 2% to 25%.

Dog bites can put you at specific risk of developing rabies or tetanus infections, as well as:

Other things to keep in mind

  • Get treatment for any infection symptoms: This includes fever, swelling, and heat at the site of the bite, or excessive pus.
  • Finger or hand bites are also dangerous: The hand contains many complex blood vessels, nerves, and muscles that can be irreparably damaged.
  • You can minimize long-term damage: Prompt treatment can help eliminate infectious bacteria and minimize wounds that may lead to visible scarring.

For other people’s dogs and strays, here are some tips to avoid and prevent bites:

  • Ask before touching: Don’t pet someone else’s dog unless you ask first. Let it sniff you before you attempt to pet it. If it seems unhappy or unfriendly, avoid petting it.
  • Don’t approach an unaccompanied dog in public: If it approaches you, stay still and don’t make any sudden movements or loud noises.
  • Report any stray dogs: You can call your local animal control or humane society.
  • Watch for signs of hostility or anxiety: This includes baring teeth, growling, barking, and ears or fur standing up straight, as well as whining, putting their tail between their legs, and yawning loudly.
  • Don’t panic or run away if a dog starts chasing you: Face it head-on and try to make yourself look bigger while still trying to keep your distance. If a dog knocks you over, curl into a ball with your head tucked and your arms over your ears and neck.

Learn more about dog behavior

Is it biting or nipping? Is it aggressive or playful? Is it from a lack of training, age, or not getting enough exercise? Many factors can affect dog behavior.

Learning more about dog behavior and body language can help you avoid dangerous situations and reduce your risk of bites.

First, make sure you choose a dog breed that’s right for your living situation and your lifestyle so you can keep the risk of bites low. Here are some tips:

  • Learn about a dog’s breed or mix: Many pet groups and even some rescues focus on individual breeds or mixes. Talk with people who own and care for that type of dog to learn its quirks and needs.
  • Consider activity level: Choose a breed that meets the exercise requirements you can provide. If you won’t be able to offer lots of activity, opt for a breed with reduced needs.
  • Consider space: If you have limited space, choose a smaller, more sedentary dog that needs less exercise or stimulation. You can also consider older dogs of various breeds whose energy levels and activity needs are appropriate for a less-active lifestyle.
  • Have a family? Choose a breed or dog that’s good around people and kids. Some breeds are already suitable for family life, but others may require training and socialization to be well behaved around kids.
  • Have other dogs or pets? Make sure you’re ready to train or socialize your pup to prevent them from fighting with other animals and potentially causing harm to those around them.

Check out this breed selector from the American Kennel Club if you’re still not sure.

»More on this:Practical puppy tips

Have a dog that bites or nips?

If you have a dog whose behavior you’re having trouble with, consider a behaviorist or training classes. If you have a dog that isn’t a good fit for you or your family, you may be able to get help from local organizations.

Anyone who experiences a dog bite should speak with a healthcare professional. People with severe bites may need urgent care.

It’s important to properly wash and disinfect dog bite wounds to reduce the risk of infection. Prompt treatment can also help prevent long-term damage.

To help prevent dog bites, learn about dog behavior and body language, and avoid approaching unaccompanied dogs or petting dogs without permission. Socializing and training your dog can help prevent aggression.