In this article on our site we are going to explain how to heal the wounds that our cat may have, since, except for those that are very serious, we will be the ones who will have to clean them at home, always following the recommendations of our veterinarian, since it is convenient for a professional to check them to confirm that they are not infected or have caused major damage or require sutures.
In addition, we will review home remedies to heal wounds in cats that can be very useful to speed up this process and promote a speedy recovery. Don't miss them!
Most common causes of wounds in cats
Cats can be injured in the course of fights with others or other animals, especially those that have access to the outside and are not castrated, as they will confront other males for territorial reasons and access to females.
On the other hand, a hit or fall can also be responsible for injuries. Likewise, felines can suffer burns and, in addition, we may have to heal wounds in some cats due to excessive scratching or licking, behavior that is related to stress. Next, we will explain how to clean and apply home remedies for wound healing in cats.
How to treat wounds in cats?
The first step when faced with a wound is cleaning, although in burns or very extensive or deep injuries we should not touch and go directly to the vet. Light wounds will be abundantly sprayed with physiological saline, which will allow us to see their magnitude and remove any dirt that may be attached. We can help ourselves with a gauze, carefully, without rubbing. If there is abundant bleeding that does not subside, we should also go to the vet.
Next, it's time to apply some disinfectant such as crystalmine or chlorhexidine, better in liquid, which we can put with a gauze, than in spray, since the noise it produces can scare a cat that is probably already restless due to pain and handling. We must not cover the wound unless the vet tells us to. For the most severe, oral antibiotics and sometimes painkillers are prescribed.
Use of ointments to heal wounds in cats
In some deeper wounds, cleaning and disinfection will not be enough and the vet will prescribe a healing ointment for cats. Applied 1-2 times a day, these products help regenerate the skin and prevent the development of infections. The vet will prescribe the ointment with the most suitable composition for our specific case.
Before spreading it over the lesion, we have to clean the area as described in the previous section, making sure that we completely remove the remains of dead skin. In addition, it is recommended to trim the hair that may come into contact with the wound. Once we apply the ointment, depending on the severity of the injury, the vet will recommend bandaging it or keeping it in the air. If this is the case, the bandage will be changed 1-2 times a day, repeating the cleaning, treatment and bandaging process.
Especially in those wounds caused by bites, which form a hole, it is important to insert the ointment well into it so that its action reaches the entire affected area. If the cat licks itself, we must prevent it by using a Elizabethan collar Of course, signs such as inflammation, redness or purulent discharge with a bad smell indicate that healing is not being correct and require a veterinary consultation. In addition to ointments, we can use, as we will see, home remedies to heal wounds in cats.
Home remedies to heal wounds in cats
In this section on home remedies to heal wounds in cats, we will mention two inexpensive and common household products that have proven effective in treating this type of injury. It is about honey and sugar Both sweeteners, without adverse reactions, have antibacterial action and osmotic effect, creating an environment that hinders the proliferation of infections that bacteria can cause. In addition, they help tissue regeneration, thus facilitating and accelerating healing. Honey offers anti-inflammatory properties that will reduce pain.
Sugar to treat wounds in cats
Both honey and sugar are applied in the same way as ointments. In this way, you must spread the sugar over the wound, previously disinfected with serum, then cover it with gauze and bandage, removing and repeating the procedure 1- Approximately 2 times a day for 1-2 weeks, depending on severity. It is very important not to use cotton because it would leave fluff and worsen the condition of the wound.
This home remedy is suitable for healing wounds in cats of all kinds, except for burns or very deep injuries. Thus, it favors the healing of infected wounds, for example, wounds caused by bites, scratching or biting.
The veterinarian will be in charge of assessing the evolution of the wound, so it is necessary to go to him if you do not notice an improvement.
Honey to heal wounds in cats
If we want honey to serve as a home remedy to heal wounds in cats, it must be of quality Supermarket honeys at low cost have been subjected to processes that eliminate the properties that we will need to be able to observe beneficial effects on injuries. To select a quality honey we must look at its crystallization. If the honey remains liquid all year round, it has been treated, so it will not work for wounds. On the contrary, honey that hardens with the cold will keep its properties intact[1]
To apply this remedy we must follow the same steps as with sugar, spread a layer of honey over the wound very carefully, cover it, bandage it and repeat the process 1-2 times a day. Honey is also an excellent home remedy to heal non-healing wounds in cats, such as those caused by excessive scratching or licking. In these cases, it is also important to find the reason for this behavior, which could already be a stressed cat or one suffering from some other type of skin problem, such as dermatitis.
