You probably understand the importance of having first aid kits in your home and vehicle in case you or a member of your family gets hurt, but you might not have considered putting together a first aid kit for your cat. Pets can get injured, too, so you should have supplies that you might need to care for your cat readily available. Some of these supplies can also be used to treat the human members of your family.
Wound-Cleaning Supplies
When an animal gets injured, it’s important to clean the wound and get rid of any dirt and debris that might cause an infection. Your cat’s first aid kit should include a bottle of saline wound flush solution, saline eye/contact lens flush, or saline nasal spray.Â
You should also have supplies that you can use to disinfect a wound, such as Povidone iodine or Chlorhexidine diacetate solution. Consult your veterinarian to make sure that you get a product in a concentration that’s safe to use on a cat.
Antibiotic Ointment
Before you bandage a cat’s wound, you can apply antibiotic ointment to prevent infection. Cats and other animals lick their wounds, and ingesting antibiotic ointment can cause a severe allergic reaction. Only use antibiotic ointment if you can keep your pet from licking its wound. If your cat has any existing health issues, consult your veterinarian to find out what type of antibiotic ointment will be safe for your pet.
Bandages
If your cat gets injured, you’ll need to cover the wound to stop the bleeding. Since cats have fur, adhesive bandages that humans use won’t work. You’ll need gauze pads to place directly on top of a wound, plus rolls of gauze to wrap around the limb and tape to hold the gauze in place. Your first aid kit for your cat should also include bandage scissors or shears.
Gloves
If your cat gets cut or bitten, you should wear gloves while you’re cleaning and bandaging the wound. Make sure that your cat’s first aid kit includes gloves that will fit you and other members of your family who might have to treat an injury.
Splint
If your cat somehow breaks a bone, you should immobilize the limb before you transport your pet to the veterinarian’s office. Splint rolls can be molded to treat a cat’s injured leg.
Get a First Aid Kit for Your Cat
Your cat is a beloved member of your family. Make sure that you have essential supplies available in case your cat gets injured and needs first aid treatment. You can purchase these items and more from 1st Aid Supplies. You can buy a small first aid kit for your cat and purchase refills as you need them. Order first aid supplies for your pet today.