So it happened, the first time in over a year, I got bitten by a cat. Lovely and deep of course.

How? I was drying a cat, and the cat was getting scared, then relaxed over my arm, and of course, I trusted it, and then I got a quick bite.

It’s always my fault. I always learn from each cat bite, really, that’s how I learned. The hard way.

This time I was too busy chatting to the client and ignored signs. We all make mistakes.

I decided to share exactly how I clean a cat bite and prevent infection (as much as possible).

A cat bite is a high risk when grooming, It is a workplace health and safety risk.   Ideally, we should have controlled the hazard.

Cat= Hazard  

Risk=Cat bite

Control= muzzle or send home.

Step 1) Remove the hazard.  Now there is an incident, we now need to remove the hazard, so quickly cage to cat so it cannot bite you anymore.

Step 2) Flush the wound. Flush with FRESH saline for as long as possible. Do not use tap water. Do not introduce anything that is not saline or a disinfectant. You can now clean the wound with a STERILE gauze and either chlorhexidine or hydrogen peroxide. I personally use hydrogen peroxide. Cat’s teeth have huge amounts of bacteria, we need to make sure we remove as much of this as possible.

Step 3) Take an antibiotic now! You should have some on hand being a high-risk situation. The quicker you take antibiotics the quicker your body can start fighting the bacteria.

Step 4) Do not close the wound unless you continue grooming.  If it is a bite wound, you should stop and go straight to the doctor!  Remember each minute you keep working, is more chance you will have a huge infection.  If a doctor is not available right away, go to a walk-in clinic, or to the emergency department.

Step 5) Follow the doctor’s directions. If you feel a fever coming on, the wound feels hot and red is spreading or you feel faint, you must go to the emergency, even if you only saw a doctor an hour ago. No questions. Draw around the redness of the infection site. Your doctor usually does this, but if you wash it off, draw it again, as any chance of spread can lead to surgery if you leave it too long. Some people require Intravenous (IV) antibiotics straight away, always follow a doctor’s directions, and if you feel like it’s not enough, again, straight to the emergency room.

Please do not leave a bite wound. Even a deep scratch can cause a large infection, always treat scratches straight away too and watch for infection.

While working with animals, tetanus immunisations should be up to date, and if applicable, steps taken to prevent and treat in case of other diseases such as rabies.

Business owners should have policies and procedures set out for the employees, including addressing wounds. An incident report should be filed, and if insurance is being used, the insurance agency should be contacted, and steps should be taken for claiming. In depth SOPs and First Aid Kit contents are included in our Australian Certified Cat Groomer Course.

Who am I?

I’m Lexie Goldsmith,

My slow introduction and low stress handling techniques have been proven over 14 years of grooming cats without sedation and many happy clients, being the go-to cat groomer in my state.

Become a Certified Cat Groomer in 2026 Our Australian Certified Cat Groomer course is the first of its kind, designed for those who want to lead the way in professional, welfare-focused cat grooming.

Perhaps you’re:

• Dreaming of a new career with cats

• A dog groomer ready to expand your skills

• Or a cat groomer seeking official recognition

This is your chance to stand out, gain confidence, and join a new generation of certified professionals.

 The ACCG Course looks beyond the fur, considering each cat’s health, behaviour, age, and medical conditions before choosing a grooming plan. From obesity and arthritis to diabetes, kidney disease, and skin disorders, you’ll master how to adapt your grooming techniques to provide safe, compassionate care for every feline client.

You’ll also cover feline anatomy, behaviour, breed and coat specific grooming, safe handling, business setup, and more.

Start your new grooming journey today: enrol  www.groomernation.com.au/

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