Animal and human bites

While most bites from animals and humans are not severe, it's important to seek medical assistance if the bite is serious or if you notice signs of infection. This information addresses bites from humans as well as animals, like cats and dogs, that have broken the skin. For snake bites, please refer to a different page. After being bitten by an animal or a person, there are a few steps you can take. Gently squeezing the wound to encourage a small amount of bleeding (if it isn’t already bleeding) may help lower the risk of infection.