Dog bites are more common than you might think. The World Animal Foundation reports that 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year, with most incidents involving familiar dogs rather than strays. While serious attacks make headlines, most bites are minor nips or scratches.

Even small punctures from a “friendly” dog can require quick decisions about rabies and tetanus shots. The size of the wound doesn’t determine the risk, but about the exposure and how you respond.

Here’s what owners often miss, what to do immediately, and what changes if another person’s dog is involved.

Quick Action Steps If you’ve been bitten: Wash the wound right away with soap and running water for about 15 minutes. See a healthcare provider as soon as possible to check on tetanus, antibiotics, and the risk of rabies. If the dog that bit you can be observed for 10 days and stays healthy, rabies post-exposure shots are usually not needed. If the dog is unknown, unavailable, sick, or if public health experts recommend it, you need post-exposure treatment (HRIG + vaccine series). Take photos, jot down notes about what happened, and reach out to your local health department or animal control for advice.

Why Even “Minor” Nips Matter

Dog owners often ask, “Do I need a rabies shot if my dog is vaccinated?” And eventually decide not to take one since they know their dog’s vaccine can protect them. However, most don’t know that such a minor injury can be a serious complication when not treated. Here’s why:

• Rabies is fatal once symptoms appear. This virus attacks the nervous system, and there’s no cure after symptoms start. Decisions about rabies shots are time-sensitive, even for tiny breaks in the skin. The virus can enter through the smallest wound, making every exposure potentially serious.
• Tetanus bacteria thrive in puncture wounds. These bacteria live everywhere in soil and dust, entering through small punctures and scratches that dog teeth create perfectly. Your tetanus immunity wanes over time, and many adults are overdue for boosters without realizing it.
• Other bacterial infections pose real risks. Dogs’ mouths harbor bacteria like Capnocytophaga, which can cause serious infections, especially in people with compromised immune systems, diabetes, or those who drink alcohol heavily. What looks like a minor scratch can lead to sepsis in vulnerable individuals.

Do I Need a Tetanus Shot After a Dog Bite?: First Aid and When to Get Shots

Step 1: Clean Thoroughly

Flush the wound under running water with soap for at least 15 minutes. Cover it with a clean bandage.

Step 2: Seek Medical Care

Go to a clinician if:

• The skin is broken (puncture, scratch, or tear)
• The bite is on the face, hands, or feet
• The person bitten is a child, elderly, or immunocompromised

Step 3: Tetanus Booster Timing

Tetanus protection depends on timing and wound type.

• Clean, minor wounds: Get a booster if it’s been 10+ years since last shot
• Dirty wounds and animal bites: Get a booster if it’s been 5+ years
• Under-vaccinated patients: A clinician may also give TIG (tetanus immune globulin)

Step 4: Rabies PEP Basics

If recommended, you’ll receive post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP):

• Day 0: HRIG (human rabies immune globulin) injected around the wound + 1st rabies vaccine dose (never in the same syringe or site as the vaccine)
• Vaccines: Days 0, 3, 7, and 14 (sometimes day 28 for special cases)
• Previously vaccinated people: No HRIG, just vaccines on days 0 and 3

The 10-Day Observation Dog Bite Rule

The 10-Day Observation Rule for dog bites is a public health guideline to protect against rabies after a bite from a dog, cat, or ferret. If a dog bites someone, it must be confined and observed for 10 days, even if it seems healthy and is vaccinated.

Why 10 Days? Rabies is spread through saliva when the animal is actively infected. If the dog was infectious at the time of the bite, it would show symptoms and likely die within 10 days.

• If a healthy dog, cat, or ferret can be confined and observed for 10 days, and it stays well, it was not shedding rabies at the time of the bite, then PEP is usually not required.
• If the animal can’t be observed, appears sick, or public health advises otherwise, doctors generally recommend starting rabies shots.

Your healthcare provider and local health department will guide this decision. Don’t make the call yourself. Rabies protocols exist for good reason, and the stakes are too high for guesswork.

If Someone Else’s Dog Bites You

When another person’s dog bites you, there are additional steps to help protect your health and legal rights.

1. Report the bite – Most states, like California, require reporting bites that break the skin. This ensures quarantine and observation procedure, checks vaccination status, and helps protect the community.
2. Exchange information – Exchange contact information and insurance details with the dog’s owner immediately.
3. Document everything – Take photos of the wound, keep medical bills, and write down what happened.
4. Who pays? – In many cases, the dog owner is responsible for the medical expenses of a dog bite accident. In such a situation, their owner’s homeowners or renters liability insurance policy may be used to cover the costs.

Legal responsibilities vary by state. Some states hold owners strictly liable for dog bites, while others require proof of negligence or prior knowledge of aggression. To learn more about your rights, especially in California, check out this guide to California dog bite liability.

Common Scenarios Dog Owners Face

• Dog park nip by unknown dog: Clean the wound immediately and consult both a healthcare provider and public health officials. Post-exposure treatment often begins if the dog can’t be located for observation. File a bite report with local authorities.
• Play nip from your own vaccinated dog: Clean thoroughly and check your tetanus status. The 10-day observation period may apply if this was a true bite exposure with skin penetration, even from your own pet.
• Bite from neighbor’s dog: Report the incident, document everything, confirm the dog’s vaccination status and observation plan, and let your healthcare provider decide about post-exposure treatment. Exchange insurance information with the owner.

Prevention Strategies That Work

• Know triggers – Dogs may bite if guarding food, startled awake, or in pain. Quick kid movements can also trigger reactions.
• Set home rules – Teach children to always ask before petting, avoid face-to-face hugs, and never disturb eating dogs.
• Supervise & train – Watch interactions at dog parks, use leashes in public, and consider professional training or muzzle conditioning if your dog is anxious or reactive.

Take Action When It Matters

A minor nip or scratch might not seem serious, but rabies and tetanus are never small issues. Rabies is 100% fatal once symptoms appear but completely preventable with proper care. Your healthcare provider and local health department can guide you through these important decisions. If the bite is from someone else’s dog, report it for public safety and potential insurance coverage.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information and is not medical or legal advice. Always consult healthcare professionals and local health departments for specific guidance.