How to Keep a Cat From Biting Off Its Bandage

Preventing a cat from biting a bandage is often a difficult task. Bandages are applied to wounds and other areas that need protection from the elements. Felines do not understand that the bandages are used to help them and often instinctively try to remove them. Fortunately, there are ways to keep the bandage on and stop kitty from trying to take it off.

Things You'll Need

  • Elizabethan collar
  • Scissors
  • Hard, flexible cardboard
  • Shoe strings
  • Roll collar
  • Bad-tasting spray or ointment
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Instructions

    • 1

      Apply an Elizabethan collar to the cat's neck. An Elizabethan collar prevents a cat from biting the bandage because the collar surrounds the cat's head. Kitty is unable to reach the bandage because the collar blocks access to the body. Purchase an Elizabethan collar from your vet or pet store, or make your own. Cut a circle that is 12 inches in diameter out of heavy flexible cardboard. Cut out a hole that is four or five inches in diameter in the center of the cardboard, then cut out a wedge that is ¼ the circumference of the cat's neck, from the smaller opening. Place the collar over the cat's head---using the wedge---and apply adhesive tape to the sides of the collar to protect and strengthen it. Punch small holes around the head opening of the E-collar and run shoe strings through them. Tie the strings around the cat's regular collar to secure the E-collar and keep it in place. Be sure the collar isn't too tight and remove the collar when the cat needs to eat or drink.

    • 2

      Apply a roll collar to the cat's neck. Roll collars fit around a cat's neck and are rigid and prevent the cat from turning its head. Roll collars are a bit more comfortable than Elizabethan collars and do block a cat's line of vision, as E-collars do. Purchase roll collars from your veterinarian or pet store.

    • 3

      Apply a deterrent to the bandage, if the cat will not tolerate the collars or can still reach the bandage. Bad-tasting sprays and ointments that are designed to prevent an animal from biting or licking can be placed on or around the bandage to keep the cat from licking and biting the bandage. It may take the cat a few times of tasting the less than appetizing sprays or ointments before it stops biting the bandage, but it will likely eventually stop. Do not apply the repellent to wounds or sores around the bandage and consult with your veterinarian before applying them to the bandage. Purchase the sprays and ointments at your veterinarian or pet store.