What To Do if You Get Bitten By a Dog

You’ve been bitten by a dog. Ouch! But now what?

Even if you think your injury is minor or “no big deal,” there are steps you need to take immediately to treat the wound. And any bite that breaks skin needs same-day medical attention.

“The top concern with dog bites is infection,” says emergency medicine physician Stephen Sayles III, MD. “In some cases, you may need antibiotics or even hospitalization, so it’s really important to see a doctor as soon as you can after being bitten.”

Dr. Sayles explains what to do after a dog bite and why the risk of infection is so high when it comes to this type of wound.

Immediate first aid after a dog bite

A dog’s front teeth grab and compress your tissue, while their smaller teeth tear the skin. The result is an open, jagged wound. If you’re bitten, take these steps right away:

1. Wash the wound with mild soap and run warm tap water over it for five to 10 minutes.
2. Slow the bleeding using a clean cloth and light pressure.
3. Cover the wound with a clean, nonstick bandage that still allows the skin to breathe.
4. Seek medical treatment as soon as possible — ideally, the same day. See your primary care provider, or seek treatment at an urgent care or emergency department.

Dog bites are prone to infection, so that last step is essential.

“The sooner you’re seen, the lower your risk of infection,” Dr. Sayles emphasizes. “If you have diabetes or are immunocompromised, the risk is even higher — so don’t delay.”

But why are dog bites at such a high risk of getting infected? It all comes down to the bacteria in dogs’ mouths. Dog bites can introduce bacteria like Pasteurella, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus.

Overall, roughly 3% to 18% of dog bites become infected. And Dr. Sayles says that Pasteurella is found in about half of them.

“There’s also the possibility that unvaccinated or feral dogs can carry and transfer rabies and rare diseases,” he adds. “So, your doctor will want to know as many details as you can provide about the dog that bit you — including whether it’s been vaccinated and if it’s available for observation.”

Seeking medical care after a dog bite

In addition to asking about the dog that bit you, here’s what else your healthcare provider may do:

• Clean the wound. A provider will irrigate (rinse) the wound with sterile saline solution. They may also debride it, which means removing dead skin or dirt, before applying another layer of ointment.
• Prescribe antibiotics. “Not all dog bites require antibiotics,” Dr. Sayles clarifies. “But your provider may prescribe a course of antibiotic medication to help ward off infection if the wound is deep, if it’s on your face or hands, or if you have a weakened immune system or other health conditions that raise your risk.”
• Give you a tetanus shot. This vaccine lowers the risk of tetanus, a serious bacterial infection. Each shot is good for 10 years. But because dog bites are generally considered contaminated wounds, you may need a booster shot if it’s been more than five years since your last one.
• Tend to other injuries. In addition to bites, a dog’s strong jaws can cause “crush injuries” you can't see, like bone bruises and muscle contusions. Your provider will ask about any other pain you’re feeling and determine treatment, if needed.

Wondering about stitches?

“It depends on the wound,” Dr. Sayles says. “For bites in certain locations — like the face — or for clean, low-risk wounds, your provider may close the wound with stitches. But for bites that are at higher risk of infection, like those on the hands, the wound may be left open to heal on its own.”

Your provider will make that call based on the bite’s location, depth and risk of infection.

Follow-up care

“Ultimately, caring for a dog bite is about keeping bacteria from causing an infection,” Dr. Sayles says. While your bite is healing, you should:

• Keep it clean and dry for the first 24 hours. For the first day or so, don’t submerge your wound in water, like by taking a bath.
• Change your bandage several times a day. Swapping in a new clean, dry bandage helps protect the wound from new bacteria that could cause infection.
• Air it out eventually. Once the wound has scabbed over, it’s OK not to cover it up with a bandage. Just be careful not to let it get dirty.

During this time, it’s critical that you watch for signs of infection, like:

• Redness around the wound that feels warm to the touch
• Red streaks going up your arm or leg
• An increase in pain and/or swelling
• A foul smell, either from the wound itself or drainage coming out of it
• A fever higher than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius)
• Chills

If you notice any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention at an emergency department or urgent care facility.

The healing process

There’s no clear timeline for how long it takes for a dog bite to heal. It all depends on specifics, like:

• Where you were bitten
• How deep the wound is
• Whether it became infected
• Individual health factors, including age and overall health

Minor dog bites typically heal within about two weeks, Dr. Sayles says, while severe bites can take months to heal — especially if they require stitches or surgery, or if they become infected.

And signs of even minor bites can stick around longer than you might expect.

After the skin scabs over or the scabs fall off, you may still feel hard lumps beneath your skin. These are typically hematomas, pooled blood beneath the surface, which can take weeks to heal — even after the skin around them has closed. Other injuries, like bone bruises and muscle contusions, can also take months to fade.

One more thing: If you’ve been attacked by a dog, don’t ignore any emotional trauma you experience afterward. Anxiety and hypervigilance are common after dog attacks — some people may experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

“Even after your physical wounds have healed, it’s important to tend to your mental health and well-being,” Dr. Sayles advises. “If you’re struggling in the aftermath of a dog attack, talk to a mental health provider who can help.”