The following text is from an authoritative expert on rabies: Professor Zushu Xian
　　 Anxiety caused by scratches from domestic cats and dogs is the most common, and I have answered many inquirers. This is due to the high number of pets in cities and inadequate rabies prevention publicity and education.
American experts say: person infected with rabies caused by scratches from cats or dogs infected with rabies is extremely rare, even if it occurs.
(Note that the cat and dog scratches mentioned here refer to scratches from cats or dogs infected with rabies, not healthy cats or dogs.
　　 Do you have the possibility of being infected with rabies? First, you must ask: does the dog that bit you or the dog you contacted possibly have rabies?
　　 1. In our country, rabies almost always occurs in rural towns, small cities, and urban-rural fringe areas, especially in provinces and regions in the south.
Larger cities (excluding their affiliated suburban counties) have hardly reported rabies cases for many years.
Therefore, animal bites under the following circumstances can basically exclude the possibility of rabies infection:
1) Domesticated dogs and cats within large cities;
2) Dogs and cats with known background, raised at home, not stray animals;
3) These dogs and cats have not been in contact with suspected rabid dogs, nor been bitten by dogs of unknown origin;
4) The animals show no signs of illness or abnormal behavior, and there is a reason for the bite, such as teasing, guarding food, protecting offspring, or pain;
5) The animals have been vaccinated;
6) The disease control center informs that no rabies cases have occurred locally in recent years;
7) The bite occurred more than 10 days ago, and the dog or cat is healthy as usual.

Conditions 1)—5) can be determined at the time of being bitten or contacted. Having these five conditions can provide reassurance. Combined with information from the disease control center confirming no local rabies, one can be at ease. If condition 7) applies, regardless of conditions 1)—5), it is also safe.
　　 2. Dog and cat transmission of rabies is mainly caused by bites.
If, under the background mentioned in point 1., you are licked or saliva contacts from your own or neighbors’ healthy or disease-free dogs or cats, it is meaningless. For mild scratches without bleeding or superficial scratches, you can apply iodine locally. For severe scratches with more bleeding, in addition to immediate rinsing, go to the hospital for treatment.
　　 Scratches or licking of broken skin or mucous membranes by confirmed or suspected rabid animals require exposure treatment.

3. Petting rabid animals (dogs or cats) or contacting their blood, urine, or feces does not constitute exposure and no preventive measures are needed.
4. Indirect contact with the saliva of visually healthy animals has no possibility of spreading rabies.
　　 We hope everyone can use this reasoning. If in doubt, please consult your local disease control center or infectious disease department at the hospital.