What should I do if my cat scratched through the skin and caused a small amount of bleeding?

Generally, when the skin is scratched by a cat and slight bleeding occurs, the following measures can be taken: wound cleaning, hemostasis, wound disinfection, wound covering, and vaccination. If any abnormalities occur, prompt medical attention is recommended. A detailed explanation is as follows:

1. Wound cleaning: Immediately and gently clean the skin around the wound with warm water and soap to remove dirt and bacteria, effectively reducing the risk of infection.

2. Hemostasis: For minor bleeding, apply gentle pressure to the wound using a clean gauze pad or cotton ball to help stop the bleeding. Avoid pressing directly with fingers to reduce the risk of introducing bacteria.

3. Wound disinfection: After cleaning the wound, disinfect it with iodine tincture, iodophor, or medical alcohol to kill any potentially present pathogenic bacteria.

4. Wound covering: After the bleeding stops, cover the wound with a sterile dressing or adhesive bandage to keep it dry and clean. Change the dressing regularly to avoid bacterial growth due to moist conditions.

5. Vaccination: For safety, it is recommended to consider receiving a rabies vaccine under a doctor's guidance to prevent the risk of infection. This is especially important when the wound is deep or the cat's health status is uncertain.

In daily life, avoid stray animals to prevent scratches and bites. If you own a pet cat, ensure it receives complete vaccinations on schedule.