Cats, like dogs, are instinctively inclined to lick their wounds. Indeed, following surgery or an injury, a cat often tries to lick itself. This is due to the fact that the regrowth of the scabs and hair make the area itchy and uncomfortable. Unfortunately, and contrary to popular belief, it does not help with healing.
Indeed, a local inflammatory reaction may occur, which will exacerbate the lesion. Therefore, it is crucial to prevent your feline from licking his wound. Fortunately, there are various home remedies to help you and your cat deal with this situation.
Before You Start
If your cat has a fresh wound, a veterinary exam may be needed to ensure the wound is not becoming infected or needs stitches. Yes, small scrapes may need a simple cleaning, but deep cuts may require more thorough cleaning and a few stitches to keep them closed. Besides, deep wounds can cause significant damage under the skin. Therefore, your vet will need to clean, rinse, and thoroughly treat the wound.
Your veterinarian will also be able to help you assess the exact treatment your cat needs for his wound to heal properly. He or she may also decide to administer analgesics and antibiotics, depending on the severity of the lesion.
Now, here are five ways to get a cat to stop licking a wound:
The Top 5 Home Remedies to Stop a Cat from Licking a Wound
1. Wrap Your Cat in An Old Sock
If your kitty has just been spayed, you can use a simple sock to keep her from licking the wound and pulling on her stitches. It may seem like an incongruous idea, but it works wonders on tiny cats!
Simply cut off the end of your largest sock for your cat’s head and cut four small openings for the legs. You can also take the sock to your vet before the surgery and let him put your cat in the sock himself. Alternatively adapt a baby-grow for your cat.
Note: Not all vets will agree to do this, so check with yours first.
2. Spray the Wound with an Antiseptic Agent
Alternatively, you can also spray an antiseptic and bitter agent directly on the wound. This will prevent your cat from licking while allowing for quick healing. However, do not use these products on a wound around the eyes, and read the instructions carefully before any application. We also recommend a quick call to your vet to confirm that the product you’ve chosen is safe for your feline’s wound.
3. Dress the Wound
This solution may seem simple, budget-friendly, and effective. You probably already have all the necessary equipment in your first aid kit: scissors, sterile gauze pads, and adhesive tape. However, skill is needed with wound dressing to ensure you don’t make matters worse rather than better. Make sure to change the dressing daily to keep it clean and dry and check it regularly for comfort and swelling.
Ask your veterinarian for advice on how to properly bandage the wound or if it’s in a more problematic area, such as around the ears or eyes.
4. Distract Your Cat
This technique is a little more time-consuming than the others because you will have to be on the lookout for your cat’s actions. So, as soon as you see him trying to lick his wound, offer him a distraction, whether it’s a treat, a toy, or extra cuddles. Kindly tell him no if he licks his wound, and give him a reward in return. Your cat should quickly associate that licking himself is less satisfying than his reward! The downside is that you can’t stay awake 24 hours a day making sure your cat doesn’t lick the wound.
5. Make a Homemade Collar
If you can’t get into the pet shop or vets and you need a homemade option there are plenty of inventive ways to make a homemade cone or neck collar. Make sure that you strike a balance between the cat not being able to get the cone straight off and being able to breathe freely. Usually 2 fingers between the material and your cat’s neck are sufficient.
What Does Cat Saliva Contain?
Cat saliva does not contain any miraculous properties that help in the healing of wounds. There are many bacteria in cats mouths, especially those with dental disease and these can be inoculated into a wound by licking. However, saliva does contain certain antimicrobial compounds that can relieve pain and prevent the proliferation of bacteria to a degree, as suggested by this study published in the prestigious journal The Lancet.
Continued licking of a wound will cause more harm than good and this is especially true for surgical wounds.
Conclusion
A cat licking its wound is not necessarily bad in itself. A cat’s saliva contains several antibacterial compounds that may help to temporarily decrease pain. However, kitty saliva also contains a significant amount of bacteria that can get deeper into the wound and cause infection. They also have very rough tongues and the mechanical abrasion it causes further damages the wound.
Thus, excessive licking can only aggravate the wound. That’s why it’s best to do everything possible to prevent your cat from licking his wound and to call a veterinarian if home treatments fail.
Featured Image Credit: Chomphuphucar, Shutterstock
