What to Clean a Cat Wound With

What to use to clean a cat wound depends on several factors, including the severity of the wound, whether or not it needs medical attention, and which type of wound it is. Pet Education online lists several different types of wounds and how you should treat them, as well as when you should call the vet.

  1. Cleaning Small Wounds

    • Clean a small cut or scrape on your cat's body by rinsing it with hydrogen peroxide. If it is not bleeding or deep, leave the wound uncovered. Dab a small amount of Triple D antibiotic onto the wound. Repeat both the hydrogen peroxide wash and the antibiotic once a day until you can see that the wound has healed. Pet Education online reminds owners that even small wounds might cause infections, so watch your cat for fever or lethargy. If the area around the wound becomes red, swollen or inflamed, seek vet attention right away.

    Cleaning Major Wounds

    • Clean major wounds in stages, according to Pet Education online. Control the bleeding of any major wound by placing pressure on it. Use a clean towel to prevent contamination. Once you have stopped the bleeding, use scissors or an electric razor to remove hair from the area near the wound. Flush the wound with clean water. Use your fingers to pick out any pieces of dirt or debris that you see. Flush the wound again with hydrogen peroxide. Contact your vet as soon as you can. Major wounds, especially those that bleed heavily, will need vet attention. Watch for signs of infection, including raised or red skin, swelling, fever or lethargy.

    Cleaning Puncture Wounds

    • Clean puncture wounds with hydrogen peroxide as soon as you see that they have occurred. Drop a small amount of hydrogen peroxide into the wound after you have cut or shaved the hair around it. Even after you clean the wound, your cat will need to see a vet. No matter how small the puncture wound looks to you, or how superficial it might seem, puncture wounds exist almost entirely below the surface. These wounds can cause infections very deep in your cat's body---and these can be life-threatening. Doctor Dog's CatBook states that all puncture wounds, even after they have been cleaned, require vet attention. Watch your cat closely for signs of infection, such as raised areas near the wound, fever and lethargy.