Cat tetanus: what to know

Tetanus is caused by bacteria entering damaged skin and producing a toxin that affects the nervous system. A cat is not the cause of tetanus itself; the concern is the puncture, scratch, or other break in the skin and the conditions within the wound.

Early tetanus may cause jaw tightness, difficulty opening the mouth, painful muscle stiffness, trouble swallowing, or spasms. These symptoms need urgent medical assessment. Do not wait for symptoms before asking about wound care and vaccination protection.

Wash the wound promptly with running water and soap, then cover it with a clean dressing. Do not close a deep puncture yourself. A clinician can assess tissue damage, infection risk, the animal exposure, and whether you need a tetanus booster or other preventive treatment.

Record when the injury happened, how it occurred, whether the skin was broken, and the date of your last tetanus-containing vaccine if known. Seek advice even when the wound looks small because cat teeth can make narrow punctures.

Get same-day medical advice for a bite, a deep scratch, a puncture, a wound on the hand or face, increasing redness, swelling, warmth, drainage, fever, or reduced movement. Go to emergency care for jaw stiffness, severe spasms, difficulty swallowing, breathing difficulty, or rapidly worsening illness.

A clinician will use the wound and vaccination history to decide next steps. Read [Tetanus Vaccination](/treatments/preventive-care-and-vaccination/tetanus-vaccination/) for more about protection and booster discussions.

Ask whether the wound needs cleaning, drainage, antibiotics, or closure; whether your tetanus vaccination is up to date; and which changes should trigger review. Tell the clinician about immune problems, medicines that affect immunity, and any previous vaccine reaction.