It’s true — the bite from a cat can be toxic and dangerous. Approximately 40,000 people are bitten by cats in the United States every year. “It is a serious danger,” says Peter Muller, a doctor of veterinary medicine and the owner of Briarcliff Animal Hospital in Atlanta. “A cat bite can result in a serious bacterial infection of Pasteurella multocida,” Muller explains. “It can be treated very easily with penicillin, but left unchecked, especially in the elderly or those with compromised immune systems, it can potentially grow underneath your skin, spread throughout your lymph system, and, in some rare cases, lead to death. That’s why it’s always a good idea to see a doctor right away after a cat bite.”