How to Treat a Wounded Cat

1 Overview

Home first-aid supplies

(1) Saline (to flush wounds)

(2) Hydrogen peroxide (for pus-filled wounds, to clean)

(3) Povidone-iodine (from human pharmacies; gentler than alcohol)

(4) Swabs, cotton balls, gauze (sterile), sterile bandage, scissors (or clippers)

(5) Elizabethan collar (prevents licking)

(6) Topical antibiotic ointment (erythromycin, mupirocin; prefer pet-formulated)

(7) Wound-disinfection and healing sprays/gels (use a pet wound spray or gel, or a healing powder)

How to treat a cat’s wound?

(1) First flush the wound with saline, pat dry with sterile gauze to prevent infection.

(2) If from a fight/bite, shave around the wound first to expose it, then flush.

(3) Non-bleeding: iodine after cleaning, let heal. Bleeding: bandage after disinfecting and go to the vet. Infected: never bandage — go to the vet. (Method depends on the situation.)

(4) Small surface wound: saline clean, iodine disinfect, healing ointment, Elizabethan collar.

(5) Small suppurating wound: squeeze out pus, hydrogen peroxide once, saline clean, iodine, antibiotic ointment, Elizabethan collar.