Skin Care
A cat may return injured after an outing, with various wounds (cuts, bites, abscesses). It’s essential to assess the severity of the injury before cleaning and disinfecting it, while monitoring its progress to prevent complications.
While outdoor adventures can bring our cats the joys of exploring vast, stimulating territories or playing freely, they may also expose them to risks. Even the most cautious feline can encounter hazards in their environment—returning with scratches, cuts, or bites, not to mention far rarer, more serious injuries.
Here you’ll find some tips to care for these minor ailments:
- How to Identify the Type of Wound: cut, burn, abscess (a complication), or even lick sores and other excoriations.
- What to Do When You Discover a Wound on Your Cat: before taking action, it’s important to examine the wound and assess its size and depth. This is especially crucial if blood has matted the fur around the injury, as it can lead to an inaccurate evaluation. Similarly, some wounds may appear very superficial but conceal deeper damage.
- How to Clean a Wound: once the examination is complete, the wound should be cleared of any debris or foreign objects, then cleaned. This step will help the healing process.
- How to Disinfect an Injury: it’s essential to choose the right disinfectant.
- When and How to Apply a Bandage: in some cases, covering the wound is helpful to protect it, prevent painful contact, and limit excessive licking.
In some cases—particularly if the wound is deep, extensive, or severely damaged, if your cat seems to be in pain, if their general condition has changed, or if the wound develops unusual signs over time (discoloration, odor, excessive discharge)—it’s essential to seek advice from your vet. While minor wounds often heal more or less on their own, it’s always wise to monitor their progress and take early action to prevent any complications.
