How to Bandage a Cat Paw
Knowing the right way to bandage a cat's paw can make the difference between a snugly, safely wrapped appendage and a vulnerable, unprotected one. While a homemade bandage job cannot surpass the treatment of a veterinarian, temporarily bandaging the paw can prevent further damage, especially if you are stuck at home and can't get to the vet right away. There are a few guidelines to keep in mind that could save the cat's paw and ease its pain.
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Things You'll Need
- Hand sanitizer
- Gauze pads
- Scissors
- Antibiotic ointment
- Cotton balls
- Medical tape
- Roll cotton
Instructions
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Wounds
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1
Put the cat on a flat surface such as a tabletop. Talk to the cat in a calm voice until it relaxes.
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2
Disinfect your hands with hand sanitizer. Place one hand around the front of the cat's chest to keep it still. Or ask an assistant to hold the cat still, using both hands, if possible.
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3
Clip the hair surrounding the wound, using scissors. Cleanse the edges of the wounds with a damp gauze pad, and irrigate the wound by pouring tap water over it.
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4
Apply antibiotic ointment on the wound, evenly coating it.
Bandaging
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5
Insert cotton balls between the cat's toes. Place three or four sterile gauze pads over the wound.
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6
Wrap medical tape around the paw, gauze pads and cotton balls -- looping it around the bottom of the paw and back over the top so that it's wrapped snugly.
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7
Extend the tape slightly beyond the area and onto the surrounding fur, to help it stay on better.
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1
Tips & Warnings
If the cat is uncooperative or aggressive, grasp the scruff of its neck and firmly press it against the tabletop.
If the paw is swollen, cold or not getting good circulation, loosen the dressing.
Cats may attempt to bite, remove or lick the bandage, so keep a close watch over it until you can get to the vet.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit BananaStock/BananaStock/Getty Images
