Kitty Kit, a First Aid Kit for Cats

Cats can get into trouble when you least expect it! Are you ready?

 

In between eating, grooming, and sleeping, one would think there is no time left over for surprises, but look out while she is playing and exploring—this is when Kitty will let curiosity take her where it will!

 

If you think the problem is serious, take her to the veterinarian for care immediately. If you are not sure whether the situation is a true emergency, phone the veterinarian for advice. If they determine it is a minor problem, they can advise you regarding suitable home first aid measures, or provide advice about supportive strategies for safe transport in to the clinic if the problem is serious.

Having a few key items on hand will let you be ready for those rare circumstances. Remember that some of your first aid cabinet items are very toxic to cats so do not give human medicines to cats.

Review our article dealing with the Principles of First Aid Care so that you understand the basic concepts and guidelines. See Home Monitoring for Health for ways to closely track your cat’s health on an ongoing basis.

An injured cat may be in pain, and if so, she can become aggressive towards those trying to handle and assist. Just because Kitty is normally sweet, and wouldn’t hurt a flea does not mean she cannot turn in pain to swat or bite, so protect yourself with soft towel, leather gloves, and in certain circumstances, apply a muzzle to prevent human injury. Make sure you do not handle the cat for treatment if you think you will be injured because cat bites can be very serious! Obtain further assistance from friends or family, and talk to your veterinarian in this circumstance. If a bite occurs, contact a physician promptly.

Your veterinarian may have a kit list of their own to recommend, but if they don’t, here is a sample first aid kit for cats. Keep these items in an organizer in a place that is easy to get at, and whose location is known to all family members. You can print the list out, and paste it onto the first aid kit so that you can check the contents against the list, and users of the kit will know what to expect to find inside. Also have the phone number and address / map for the veterinary clinic, +/- emergency clinic in your area printed clearly on the outside of the kitty kit.

If you travel, remember to take the kitty kit along just in case….

Kitty Kit

• First aid scissors
• Tweezers
• Clean soft towel
• Protective thick leather work gloves
• Cat muzzle (+/-,, available from your veterinarian)
• Rectal thermometer: digital or traditional
• Sterile jelly or petrolatum
• Small flashlight
• White adhesive tape
• Gauze squares
• Cotton balls
• Alcohol-isopropyl
• Hydrogen peroxide (3% concentration)
• Non-sticky wound dressing squares
• Stretchy bandage
• Roll of cotton gauze bandage (1” size)
• Antibacterial soap
• Sterile saline flush solution (human eye wash, nasal cavity wash--preservative free)
• Cotton tipped applicators
• Karo syrup
• Splint support (coffee stir stick, doctor’s tongue depressor stick)

Disclaimer: This website is not intended to replace professional consultation, diagnosis, or treatment by a licensed veterinarian. If you require any veterinary related advice, contact your veterinarian promptly. Information at Cathealth.com is exclusively of a general reference nature. Do not disregard veterinary advice or delay treatment as a result of accessing information at this site.