Domestic pet cats don’t usually have rabies virus on their paws. The rabies virus is mainly found in cat saliva, so cat claws generally do not have the rabies virus, and the only time a cat has just licked its own paws is when it causes them to have the virus. Therefore, when being scratched by a cat’s claw, the only way to get infected with the rabies virus is if the cat has just licked its claw and scratches the human resulting in a break in the mucous membranes of the skin or even bleeding, although this is unlikely. Cats cause humans to become infected with the rabies virus more often than not from licks as well as bites that cause the human blood system to become infected with the rabies virus from the cat’s saliva and develop rabies. Therefore, if you have been exposed to rabies through licking or biting by a cat or dog, it is recommended that you get vaccinated against rabies to protect yourself, regardless of whether or not the dog or cat carries the rabies virus. Consult your doctor for further treatment.