Dog Bite Prevention: What Published Guidance Supports

Key takeaways

• Dog bites a year: about 4.5 million in the US
• Most at risk: children, often by a dog they know
• Most useful single change: Always supervise young children with any dog.
• Commonest mistake: Leaving a baby or young child alone with a dog.
• See a doctor if any of the signs under "When to speak to a doctor" below apply to you.

What it is

Teaching children and adults how to behave around dogs, and what to do if a bite happens. It sits within Injury Prevention. Here are the numbers, taken from the guidance cited at the end.

The numbers, in one place

What helps

These are the changes with the clearest evidence behind them. Start wherever it is easiest to start.

• Always supervise young children with any dog
• Ask the owner before petting a dog, and let it sniff you first
• Teach children to leave dogs alone when they are eating, sleeping or caring for puppies
• For a bite, wash the wound with soap and warm water right away

What to avoid

The common mistakes, including the ones that sound sensible.

• Leaving a baby or young child alone with a dog
• Running from, screaming at or staring down a dog
• Reaching through a fence or into a car to pet a dog

In depth

Most dog bites come from a dog the person knows, often the family dog or a neighbor's. Dogs bite for many reasons: fear, pain, protecting food, toys or puppies, being startled or feeling cornered. Dogs usually give warning signals before biting, but these can be subtle. Learning to read dog body language helps children and adults recognize when a dog is uncomfortable and step back before a bite happens.

Children are especially at risk because they may hug, chase, tease or approach dogs in ways that dogs find threatening. Because of their height, children are more likely to be bitten on the face and neck, which can lead to serious injuries and scarring. Young children cannot always read warning signs, so supervision and teaching are both important.

Dog bites can cause infection because a dog's mouth contains bacteria that can enter the wound. Bites to the hands and puncture wounds are particularly prone to infection. Rabies is rare in pet dogs in the US because of vaccination, but it remains a concern with unknown or unvaccinated dogs. Knowing how to care for a bite and when to seek medical care can prevent complications.

Signs and symptoms

• A dog that turns its head away, licks its lips or yawns when approached
• Showing the whites of the eyes, sometimes called whale eye
• Freezing or going stiff
• Ears pinned back and tail tucked low
• Growling, snarling or snapping
• After a bite: increasing redness, swelling, warmth, pus or fever

Causes and risk factors

• Approaching or petting an unfamiliar dog without permission
• Disturbing a dog that is eating, sleeping, injured or caring for puppies
• Hugging, kissing or climbing on dogs
• Leaving young children alone with dogs
• Running from or chasing dogs
• Dogs that are poorly socialized, in pain or stressed

How it is checked

A doctor will examine the bite to assess its depth, whether it involves muscles, tendons, nerves or bones, and the risk of infection. They will ask about the dog, including whether it is known and vaccinated, and your tetanus history. X-rays may be needed if a bone injury or a tooth fragment is suspected.

The doctor will also assess the risk of rabies. If the dog is healthy and available, it may be observed for 10 days. If the dog cannot be found or shows signs of illness, rabies post-exposure treatment may be recommended. Bites are often reported to local animal control or health departments; rules vary by area.

Treatment and support options

First aid for a bite

Wash the wound with soap and warm water right away, for several minutes. Apply pressure with a clean cloth to stop bleeding. Cover with a clean bandage. For minor bites, apply an antibiotic ointment if advised and watch for signs of infection.

Medical treatment

Your doctor may clean the wound thoroughly, and some wounds may be closed with stitches while others are left open to reduce infection risk. Antibiotics may be prescribed, especially for bites on the hands, face or deep punctures. You may need a tetanus booster.

Rabies prevention

If there is a risk of rabies, your doctor may recommend rabies post-exposure treatment, which involves a series of shots. This is very effective when given promptly. Contact your doctor or health department right away if bitten by an unknown or unvaccinated animal.

If a dog attacks

Stand still like a tree with hands at your sides and avoid eye contact. If the dog attacks, put something between you and the dog, such as a bag or jacket. If knocked down, curl into a ball, protect your face and neck with your arms and stay still.

Prevention

• Teach children to ask before petting any dog, including dogs they know
• Choose a dog that suits your family and get advice from a veterinarian or trainer
• Socialize and train your dog, and spay or neuter as advised by your veterinarian
• Keep your dog's vaccinations, including rabies, up to date
• Give dogs a safe space to retreat to away from children

Day to day

Living with a dog and children together works best with clear rules and supervision. Teach children to be gentle, not to bother the dog while it eats or sleeps, and to let the dog come to them. Separate them when you cannot supervise. Watch your dog for signs of stress, and give it breaks from busy family activity.

If your child has been bitten, they may feel scared of dogs afterward. Help them rebuild confidence gradually, perhaps with calm, well-behaved dogs under supervision. Some children develop anxiety or nightmares after a serious bite; talk to their doctor if this happens. If your own dog bit someone, talk to your veterinarian or a professional trainer about the cause.

For specific groups

Young children

Young children are the most likely to be seriously hurt by a bite, and because of their height they are often bitten on the face. Never leave them alone with a dog, even a familiar one. Teach them simple rules and model calm behavior around dogs.

People with weakened immune systems

People with diabetes, liver disease, no spleen or weakened immune systems are at greater risk of serious infection after a bite. Seek medical care promptly for any bite.

Delivery and service workers

Mail carriers, delivery drivers and utility workers often meet unfamiliar dogs. Approaching cautiously, carrying a barrier such as a bag and asking owners to secure dogs reduces risk.

Questions to ask your doctor

• Does this bite need stitches?
• Do I need antibiotics for this bite?
• Do I need a tetanus shot?
• Is there any risk of rabies from this bite?
• What signs of infection should I watch for?
• How can I help my child cope after being bitten?

More questions, answered

Are some dog breeds more likely to bite?

Any dog can bite. A dog's behavior depends on many factors, including its training, socialization, health and the situation. Judging risk by breed alone is not reliable.

Should I report a dog bite?

In many areas, dog bites must be reported to local animal control or the health department, especially for rabies monitoring. Your doctor can tell you about local requirements.

Do all dog bites need antibiotics?

Not all. Your doctor will consider the depth and location of the bite and your health. Bites to the hands, face, near joints or deep punctures are more likely to need antibiotics.

How can I tell if my dog is uncomfortable around children?

Watch for signs such as turning away, lip licking, yawning, showing the whites of the eyes, freezing, growling or moving away. Give the dog space and separate it from children if you see these signs.

Can a dog bite cause rabies?

It is rare from pet dogs in the US because of vaccination, but it is possible with unvaccinated or unknown animals. Contact your doctor or health department right away after a bite from an unknown dog.

What should I teach my child to do if a dog approaches?

Teach them to stand still like a tree, with hands at their sides, and avoid staring at the dog. Most dogs will lose interest and walk away. Running or screaming can trigger the dog to chase.

Related topics

• What the Guidance Really Says About Malaria Prevention (Travel Health)
• Listeria in Pregnancy: What Published Guidance Supports (Food Safety)
• Foods to Avoid in Pregnancy: What the Evidence Actually Says (Pregnancy and Postpartum)
• Wound Care: What the Evidence Actually Says (Skin Health)

Where to go next

• A Q and A on Dog Bite Prevention
• The Short Guide to Dog Bite Prevention
• Dog Bite Prevention — the reference entry
• Injury Prevention: The Complete Guide
• Safe Sleep for Infants: Sorting the Evidence From the Noise
• Car Seats and Seat Belts: Sorting the Evidence From the Noise

When to speak to a doctor

See a doctor for any bite that is deep, will not stop bleeding, is on the face or hands, shows redness, swelling or warmth, or comes from a dog whose vaccination status is unknown; ask about tetanus and rabies. Call 911 for severe bleeding or a serious attack.

Where this comes from

• CDC — Preventing Dog Bites
• American Academy of Pediatrics — Dog Bites: Prevention and Treatment

How this page was put together

Every figure, recommendation and warning above is taken from the guidance named in Where this comes from. Nothing on this page is inferred, summarized or generalized beyond what those bodies publish: where they give a number, it is their number, and where they are silent, so are we. Pages are rebuilt whenever the underlying record changes. Sign-off by a named clinician, where it has happened, is shown at the top of the page along with the date.

Medical disclaimer

This article is general information, not medical advice. It cannot account for your own history, medication or circumstances. Always speak to your doctor, pharmacist or another qualified health professional before making changes that affect your treatment, and never delay seeking medical advice because of something you have read here. In an emergency, call 911.