One of the few downsides of owning a cat is the experience of getting scratched. While it doesn’t happen often, cats do sometimes scratch their owners when they feel anxious or threatened. If you have experienced a cat scratch, you probably know that it can sting very badly. This has been people wondering what is in their nails that cause cat scratches to sting so much.

Why do cat scratches sting?

Cat scratches sting and hurt a lot because of the sharpness of their claw, the level of penetration, location of the scratch, and dirtiness of their claws.

Cat claws are extremely sharp: Unlike dog paws that get dulled out from getting walked on, cat claws are usually retracted and don’t get dull from walking. Additionally, the more a cat scratches on objects, the sharper their paws get. Some cat claws can be sharper than a razor blade, which is why cat scratches can sting.

Cat scratches don’t penetrate deep into your skin: Surprisingly, a more shallow cut will actually sting more. This is because there is less blood, meaning your cells are exposed to air for a longer time since they aren’t covered by blood. When your nerve cells are exposed to air, it creates that stinging feeling.

Location of cat scratches: Another reason that cat scratches hurt and sting so much is because they are usually in sensitive areas. Most cat scratches occur on the hand, arm, or face, which have many nerve cells and can amplify the stinging sensation.

Cat claws are dirty: More likely than not, your cat probably scratched something before they scratched you. If your cat scratched some dirt of wood before you, particles from these materials may still be on their nails and thus reach your skin. These foreign materials can certainly cause your scratch to sting. That is why we highly recommend washing and cleaning your cat scratch immediately after it occurs.

Why do cat scratches hurt so much?

Aside from the stinging, cat scratches also hurt so much because they almost always cause bleeding. This has a phycological effect on the brain, as you can sometimes think something hurts more the second you see blood. Cat scratches also hurt a lot because the scratch can linger for days before it heals, and can cause stinging when you sweat or come in contact with water. Excessive physical activity in the region of the scratch can also cause it to hurt more.

If your cat is also biting a lot, you should check out our article on why does my cat bite my feet?

How to prevent cat scratch from stinging so much

While most cats can trim their own nails naturally, you might have to regularly trim their nails or even declaw them if they continually scratch you.

The best way to stop a cat from scratching you is to get them declawed. However, some people think it is morally wrong to declaw a cat, as it is equivalent to cutting of the tips of a human’s fingers. An easier and cheaper option is to put some kitty caps on your cat’s nails.

We also recommend regularly clipping your cat’s nails. The best way to do this is with safe guard cat nail clippers.

Why do cat scratches burn?

Cat scratches burn for many of the same reasons, including the sharpness of nails, deep wounds, and scratching sensitive skins. Your cat scratch will also burn if the scratch transmits cat scratch disease.

Why do cat scratches itch?

Cat scratches will start to itch as your body naturally responds to treat the wound. Your immune system will try to fight off infection from the scratch, which can cause the skin cells and nerves to be stimulated. The reason this happens is because your body is trying to prevent bacteria from harvesting on the wound.

Cat Scratch Disease

Cat Scratch Disease occurs when the cat spreads the bacterium Bartonella henselae onto your skin. This bacterium originates in your cat’s saliva, and can cause a lot of inflammation if it reaches human skins. In extreme cases, a person with cat scratch disease may develop a rash, inflammation, or even swollen lymph nodes. If you suspect that you have cat scratch disease, you should contact a doctor immediately. It is much better to treat cat scratch disease early before it can spread to other parts of your body.

How to treat a cat scratch?

The best way to treat a cat scratch is to immediately rinse the wound with warm water. After the scratch is cleaned, you should apply Neosporin. Afterwards, you should cover it with a band aid to prevent future infection. If your cat scratch continues to burn, itch, or sting, you should get some Benadryl Extra Strength Cooling Relief Anti-Itch Gel. You can click on the photo below for more info.

Cat scratching everything

If your cat is constantly scratching you, they are most likely scratching everything around them. If your cat is constantly scratching and ruining your furniture, you should check out our article on how to repair cat scratches on leather with olive oil. If your cat is scratching carpet, you should check out how to stop cat scratching carpet at door.

Aside from scratching, cats also love to bite things. To learn more about this behavior, you should check out my article why does my cat bite my ear?