Feline First Aid

First ensure the safety of yourself and others. Keep calm and assess the situation before acting. Injured animals are frightened and in pain, and may try to bite anyone who touches them.

Approach your cat quietly and slowly, avoiding sudden movements. The best way of lifting an injured cat is to put one hand under the chin on the front of the chest, and the other behind the hindlegs.

If the cat seems frightened and potentially aggressive, it is better to lift the cat in a thick towel, but be careful as cats can bite through towels. If you are dealing with an unknown cat, you may be able to encourage the animal into a shed or garage before seeking help. Sometimes cats can be persuaded to run into the safety and security of a cat box, if there is no other obvious escape route. If you are bitten, see your doctor ASAP. 

Never give human medicines to a cat, and do not offer food or drink in case your pet has to have an urgent anaesthetic. 

Any cat with breathing difficulties should be handled carefully and gently, particularly if they are breathing with an open mouth. Many of these patients are dangerously ill and can collapse suddenly if upset.

Drive carefully when going to the surgery and always have the cat in a closed box or carrier for transport.

Basic resuscitation

• Put the cat on their side and check that breathing has definitely stopped (no rising/falling of chest, hold a wisp of fur to the nostrils to check for air flow). 
  
• Open the mouth, pull the tongue forwards and check for obstructions, such as blood.
  
• Be careful not to get bitten when removing any material. 
  
• If breathing does not start, extend the head (pointing the nose forwards). 
  
• Hold the mouth closed, and blow into the nose about ten times per minute. 
  
• If you cannot feel a heartbeat, push on the chest just behind the forelegs every one or two seconds. Give two breaths into the nose for every 15 pushes on the chest. 
  
• If this is unsuccessful after three minutes, recovery is unlikely.
• Ideally get someone else to take you and your cat to a vet ASAP and attempt CPR in transit. Be sure to avoid any movement of the head, neck and spine as you would for humans. 

Items for your cat’s first aid kit

• Bandages – a roll of self-adhesive or crepe bandage (five centimetres width)
  
• Conforming or open-weave bandages (two and a half centimetres width)
  
• Surgical sticky tape
  
• Box of cotton wool
  
• Box of sterile absorbent gauze or a packet of swabs
  
• Some non-adhesive absorbent dressings (five centimetres square) to cover open wounds
  
• Blunt-ended scissors, preferably curved
  
• Thick towel
  
• Elizabethan collar (pictured)
  
• Bottle of sterile saline solution