While cuddling with one's cat could be considered a harmless way to pass time, scientists have warned pet owners to be aware of cat scratches. A new report claims that cat scratches which go untreated could lead to serious health complications.

Cat-scratch fever also known as cat-scratch disease, according to USA Today, has more serious implications than previously considered. A study has revealed that bacterial infections could be passed from cats to pet owners through scratches.

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) in a journal entry titled "Healthy Pets Healthy Life " brought the issue to light. The study claims that a bacteria passed from fleas to cats that can enter the body of humans through scratches or if a cat licks an open wound or an unhealed scratch.

According to the study, the issue is quite common, as researchers dug deep into previous health insurance claims. Scientists discovered that the number of those who are infected and eventually become seriously ill from cat scratches increased between 2005 to 2013.

Symptoms following a cat-scratch disease include swollen lymph node, fever, and headaches. In a very rare instance, and serious conditions the brain and the heart become affected as well. The CDCP said in its report that each year more than 12,000 individuals are diagnosed with the disease. And more than 500 of them require hospitalization.

The CDCP reported that cat-scratch disease could be avoided by treating cats for fleas, keeping them indoors and remembering to wash hands after playing with them. Young children with a developing immune system and the elderly are reported to be the most susceptible to the disease.

Watch the video below on the condition: