Is Rabies Related to Kittens? Many People Are Misled by the Disease's Name

When people hear the word "rabies," many instinctively assume that only dogs can carry and transmit the disease, and consequently let their guard down around their feline companions at home. In reality, the very name of this disease containing the character for "dog" is actually the biggest cognitive misconception—cats are also one of the primary hosts and sources of transmission for the rabies virus. With the increasing number of pet-owning households, incidents of being scratched or bitten by cats are not uncommon. Once rabies develops, the fatality rate is nearly 100%.

This article, based on the latest epidemiological data, clarifies the true relationship between rabies and cats, as well as how to scientifically respond after being scratched or bitten.

I. Rabies is Preventable, Controllable, but Incurable

Rabies is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by the rabies virus, classified as a Class B infectious disease under Chinese law. Once rabies develops, the fatality rate is almost 100%. It is mainly caused by bites and scratches from animals carrying the rabies virus, such as dogs and cats.

In recent years, the number of rabies cases and deaths in China has shown an upward trend. According to the China CDC, there were 248 reported cases and 231 deaths in 2025, representing a 48.5% increase in cases and a 56.1% increase in deaths compared to 2024, which saw 167 cases and 148 deaths.

Data from monthly reports by the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration

National Disease Control and Prevention Administration's "2024 National Overview of Notifiable Infectious Diseases"

II. Don't Overlook It: Cats Are Also an Important Source of Infection

Both dogs and cats are major sources of rabies transmission. Dogs are the primary source of rabies in China, accounting for over 95% of cases. However, the proportion of rabies transmitted by cats is gradually increasing, rising from 2.44% in 2020 to 5.56% in 2021 [2].

Pet ownership in China is also on the rise. In 2025, the number of dogs and cats in urban China reached 126 million, an increase of 2.21 million (1.8%) from 2024. Among these, cats accounted for 65.9%, approximately 72.89 million, an increase of 1.36 million (1.9%) from 2024 [3].

Meanwhile, the vaccination rate for rabies vaccines among cats actually decreased by 7.7% in 2025, dropping to just 30.9% [3].

On one hand, the cat-owning population is growing, the probability of being scratched or bitten is increasing, and cat vaccination rates are low. On the other hand, among the approximately 40 million people exposed to rabies annually in China, only about 35% receive the rabies vaccine [4]. Under this double risk, complacency toward cats could lead to irreversible consequences.

III. After Being Scratched or Bitten by a Cat, Standardized Treatment Is Also Necessary

According to the "Rabies Exposure Prevention and Disposal Work Specifications (2023 Edition)," rabies exposure refers to being bitten, scratched, or having mucous membranes or broken skin licked by a rabid animal, a suspected rabid animal, or a host animal whose health status cannot be determined; or having open wounds or mucous membranes directly contact saliva or tissue that may contain the rabies virus.

In other words, as long as you are scratched, bitten, or have your mucous membranes or broken skin licked by a cat, it constitutes rabies exposure. Rabies exposure is classified into three levels based on risk:

Level I Exposure: Contacting or feeding animals, or having intact skin licked.

Treatment: Clean the exposed area; no medical treatment required.

Level II Exposure: Bare skin being lightly bitten, or minor scratches/abrasions without obvious bleeding.

Treatment: Wound treatment and rabies vaccination should be administered. For Level II exposures in severely immunocompromised individuals, or when the wound is on the head or face and the health status of the animal cannot be determined, treatment should follow Level III exposure protocols.

Level III Exposure: Single or multiple penetrating skin bites or scratches; broken skin being licked; open wounds or mucous membranes contaminated by saliva or tissue; or direct contact with bats.

Treatment: Wound treatment, injection of rabies passive immunizing agents, and rabies vaccination should be administered.

Conclusion

The number of pet cats is steadily increasing. When living and playing with your kitten, it is inevitable to occasionally get scratched or bitten. Once scratched or bitten, it is crucial to respond promptly and according to standardized protocols. The first step is immediate wound irrigation: thoroughly wash all bite and scratch wounds for approximately 15 minutes using soapy water (or other weak alkaline cleaners or professional irrigation solutions) alternately with running water under pressure. Then, seek standardized medical treatment at a healthcare facility as soon as possible—especially for Level II and Level III exposures, it is essential to complete the full course of rabies vaccination in a timely manner.