My unvaccinated kitten scratched me. Should I be worried about rabies?

Question

My kitten of 8 weeks is not vaccinated yet with anything and she scratched me a couple times. Previous to being owned by me, she was owned by somebody who raised her in a domestic household. She doesn't have any signs of being bitten and is not showing any particularly peculiar symptoms. She is healthy seeming, playful and friendly. Should I get checked for rabies or another disease when I vaccinate her? What is your advice? Pet's info: Cat | Persian | Female

Linda G, MS, DVM · Accepted Answer

Hello. While we generally do not worry about rabies in very young animals, it can happen. Most times this is from mishandling wild or feral animals, so a kitten raised in a household is generally very safe. You should also know that we do not even vaccinate kittens & puppies until they are 12-16 weeks of age. You do not need to do anything at this point except to make sure your scratches do not get infected. Take Luna to a vet or groomer on a regular basis to have her nails trimmed as there will be other times that she will probably scratch you. She is old enough to begin receiving her other regular vaccinations & she should be checked & treated for any potential intestinal parasites. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

My unvaccinated kitten scratched me. Should I be worried about rabies?

Most Helpful Answer

Related Questions

Why is my mouse's eye swollen, cloudy, and has pus?

My pet is breathing hard, not eating, and lethargic. What's wrong?

My pet has red spots all over. What's causing them and what to do?

My pet keeps scratching its ear. What's causing this problem?

My small pet is limping and can't bear weight. Should I see a vet?

My dwarf hamster has a shut eye and is limping. What should I do?

Share