When Holiday Pet Excitement Leads to Urgent Care

You got your kids the puppy they’ve been begging for. Christmas wish granted!

Day 1: Pure joy. Day 2: Lots of energy. Day 3: “Mom, the puppy bit me!”

You look at your child’s hand. There are teeth marks. It broke the skin. It’s starting to swell.

Wait… do puppies bite this much? Is this normal? Should you be worried?

Why Kids Get Bitten More

Here’s what most parents don’t realize: children are more likely to get bitten or scratched by pets than adults.

Why?

• They move unpredictably (running, jumping, shrieking with excitement)
• They’re at face level with small dogs and puppies
• They don’t read warning signs (ears back, growling, stiff body)
• They want to hug and squeeze (which animals often don’t like)
• They put their hands where puppies bite during play

And puppies? They explore everything with their mouths. Including your child.

When to Bring Your Child to Night Watch

Come in right away if:

• The bite or scratch broke the skin
• It’s on their face, hands, or near joints
• It’s a puncture wound (deep, narrow)
• Bleeding won’t stop after 10 minutes of pressure
• Signs of infection (redness, swelling, warmth, pus)
• You’re not sure if the pet is fully vaccinated

🐱 Cat Scratches: Tiny But Trouble

Got a kitten instead? Those needle-sharp claws can cause Cat Scratch Disease.

What is it? Bacterial infection from bacteria in cat saliva that gets on their claws. Can cause fever, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue in children.

Symptoms appear 3-14 days after the scratch:

• Red bump or blister at scratch site
• Swollen lymph nodes (especially under arms or neck)
• Fever
• Your child feeling tired or unwell

Cat scratches need treatment. Don’t ignore them.

Teaching Kids to Be Safe with New Pets

Prevention is key. Teach your children:

• “Gentle hands” No pulling, grabbing, or squeezing
• “No face kisses” Keep faces away from puppy mouths
• “Let sleeping pets lie” Don’t wake or startle them
• “No hands in mouth” Use toys for play, not fingers
• “Back away if scared” If the pet seems upset, give space
• “Tell a grown-up” Always report bites/scratches immediately

How We Help at Night Watch

At Night Watch, we treat animal bites and scratches in children regularly:

• Gentle, thorough wound cleaning
• Child-friendly evaluation (checking for nerve/tendon damage)
• Stitches if needed (with numbing medicine first)
• Antibiotics to prevent infection
• Parent education on wound care and pet safety

🏡 What to Do at Home Immediately

If your child gets bitten or scratched:

• Wash the wound immediately with soap and running water (5+ minutes)
• Apply pressure if bleeding
• Don’t panic (it scares your child more)
• Bring them to Night Watch for proper evaluation

🐾 New pets + excited kids = occasional injuries. We’re here when it happens.