Cat scratches generally need to be vaccinated because rabies is mainly spread by dogs, cats and other animals. Once scratched by a cat, there is a risk of rabies infection, and failure to vaccinate may result in a rabies attack. Cats in general will often lick their paws, so saliva will remain on their paws, and if the cat is infected with rabies virus, the virus will remain on the paws. If a cat scratches a person, the rabies virus will enter the body through a break in the mucous membrane of the skin, causing the person to develop rabies. Therefore, once scratched by a cat, you must get a rabies vaccine, especially if there is bleeding from a cat scratch, first clean the wound quickly, squeeze the blood outward from the wound, then rinse with flowing water for more than 30 minutes, and then go to a nearby CDC or hospital outpatient clinic for a rabies vaccination. If the full rabies vaccine has been given within six months, it can be discontinued at this time. However, if more than six months have elapsed, a booster shot is required. Instead of five shots, two or three shots are usually required. If it has been more than three years since the last complete rabies vaccination, the full rabies vaccination is required.