Cat Home Sickness Remedies

Bite Wounds and Abscesses

• Cats that roam outdoors sometimes get into fights with other animals. If your cat returns home with a bite wound or you notice an abscess in her skin, you must disinfect the area to avoid any rapidly spreading bacteria that become trapped under the skin once the surface has healed. Trim the hair around the open sore or abscess. If your cat is tolerant of running water, hold the sore spot under running lukewarm water for at least five minutes or use a damp cloth or gauze to cleanse the area. Hibitane, a topical antiseptic, is available at most pharmacies and can safely be applied to your cat's skin to kill the bacteria before it spreads. Repeat this procedure twice daily for five to seven days.

Cat Diarrhea

• If your cat has diarrhea, check to make sure that she is active, alert and consuming fluids. If she is tired and not drinking water, consult a veterinarian to prevent dehydration. If dehydration is not a concern, you may be able to treat your pet at home by restricting her diet for 72 hours. Have her fast for the first 24 hours and withhold all food, allowing her only to drink water. For the next 24 hours, restrict her to a bland diet of cooked chicken and rice. On the third day, feed her meals that are 1/2 bland diet combined with 1/2 of her regular diet. In most instances, diarrhea in cats subsides within 72 hours.

Pet Poisoning

• If you suspect that your pet has ingested something poisonous, it is imperative you seek veterinary care at once. In some cases, depending on the toxin, you can begin a neutralization step before visiting your vet. If your cat has ingested an alkaline poison, such as drain cleaner, feed her vinegar. For acidic toxins, such as battery acid, milk of magnesia may be effective.