first aid for deep cat scratch :: Article Creator10 Things To Include In A Cat First Aid Kit
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It's helpful to have some basic supplies ready in case your cat gets injured at home.
Reviewed by Natasha Diehl
While cats that spend any amount of time outside are more likely to need a first aid kit than those that are purely indoor cats, it's smart for any cat owner to be prepared with some basic supplies in a cat first aid kit. It's easy to compile and you never know when it might be needed, so it's something that shouldn't wait to be done until you find your cat needing one.
The following list is a good starting point for your cat's first aid kit, but your cat's individual habits, medications, and health needs may warrant additional items be added. If your cat is injured, take them to the vet for a thorough exam.
Gloves
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Exam gloves should be worn to help protect yourself from coming into contact with something that could cause you harm.
If your cat has a wound, got sprayed by a skunk, has ants or fleas, or has some sort of chemicals on their fur or skin, you're going to want to put on some exam gloves before handling your cat. Exam gloves will protect you from whatever is on your cat including bacteria and blood-borne pathogens. These are inexpensive, single use items, so throw them away and restock your first aid kit after each use.
Electric Clippers
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Small, electric hair clippers are helpful to have in first aid kits for cats.
Things can get stuck in your cat's fur and fur can get into wounds. In either of these cases, you'll want some small electric clippers to shave the unwanted fur away. Sticky things, items tangled in long fur, diarrhea, bite wounds, lacerations, and more will benefit from some inexpensive clippers being in your first aid kit. Additionally, you're less likely to accidentally cut your cat with clippers than if you were to use scissors to cut off unwanted fur.
Emergency Phone Numbers
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The phone numbers for your regular and emergency vets are important pieces of your first aid kit.
If your cat needs serious medical attention, your first aid kit can only do so much. To help your cat, you'll want to get them to a veterinarian as soon as possible or know who to call to get information. Having a list of emergency phone numbers ready that include your regular veterinarian, an emergency veterinarian, and a pet poison hotline helps to prevent you from wasting time searching and looking them up when an emergency happens.
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Benadryl
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Liquid children diphenhydramine is helpful to have in a first aid kit.
Commonly referred to by the brand name Benadryl, liquid diphenhydramine is an antihistamine that should be in every cat first aid kit. The children's formulations come as a liquid and are much easier to administer to a cat than a pill, especially if your cat is small. The typical dose is 2 milligrams per kilogram of body mass or, to simplify, 1 milligram per pound of body weight by mouth every 8 hours. However, if you suspect your cat is having an allergic reaction, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Iodine
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Betadine is an important cleaning solution to have in your cat's first aid kit.
If your cat gets a cut or bite wound, cleaning it with povidone iodine can help clean it and prevent it from getting infected. Povidone iodine is also known by brand name Betadine and is a brownish-yellow liquid. It is mixed with water to create a diluted cleaning solution and can be applied directly to the open wound.
Bandaging Material
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Vet wrap is one kind of helpful bandage material.
There are many kinds of bandaging materials that can be used on cats. Be sure to stock your first aid kit with cohesive bandages like Vet Wrap, non-stick guaze, bandage tape, and gauze squares.
Scissors
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Bandage scissors are helpful to have in first aid kits.
Scissors are a must have in first aid kits. Not only do they cut bandages to size but they can cut off string, rubber bands, hair ties, rope, and other items that your cat can get tangled in that could cause constricting wounds.
Antibiotic Ointment
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Neosporin is helpful in promoting healing and preventing infection.
After you've clipped the hair away, rinsed and cleaned the wound, you may want to apply an antibiotic ointment like Neosporin to help prevent infections and promote healing. You can also bandage the wound depending on what type it is. Refer to your veterinarian for advice prior to wrapping wounds—some will need air to heal while others are best covered.
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Styptic powder can help stop bleeding.
Torn nails can happen during a cat fight or if your cat gets its nails stuck in a carpet or blanket. These injuries are not only painful for your cat but they can also be messy if you can't control the bleeding. Styptic powder is a special powder that can help stop the bleeding and is an important part of any cat first aid kit.
Saline Eye Rinse
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Saline eye rinse is helpful for rinsing eyes and wounds.
Saline eye rinse is a great dual-purpose cat first aid kit item. It can be used to flush debris from your cat's eyes as well as flush wounds.
10 Best Cat Scratch Deterrent Sprays
10 Best Cat Scratch Deterrent SpraysPet suppliesRecombu
NOOBECR
1154 ratings
More info 1 Product Features
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SAFE FORMULA - Pet Anti-Scratch Spray uses naturally sourced safe ingredients (rosemary, citrus extracts) to increase bitterness, contains no harsh chemicals or additives, and will not harm your pet or spray items! 
Hywean
1095 ratings
More info 3 Product Features
Indoor & Outdoor Use: Our patent pending formula uses botanical derived ingredients like rosemary oil and lemongrass, this cat scratch deterrent spray stops the desire of most cats to damage a house. This cat spray for scratching use undesirable odors to keep your cat away or discourage them scratching furniture. Protect Furniture and Houses: Our cat repellent spray can be used on things you want to stop your pet from scratching indoors and outdoors. The cat repellent indoor won't leave any stains on chew targets including electrical cords, clothing, furniture, sofa, curtains, indoor and outdoor plants or anything else they find to scratch! Easy to Use: With no complicated and messy steps, our anti scratch cat spray is easy to operate. Just spray on the surface of the object or place. We recommend spraying the cat repellent spray 3-4 times daily for the first two weeks, and then lessening frequency as your cat learns their new behavior. Biter Spray for Cats : Our cat repellent spray provides quick, effective results for cats and stops unwanted cat behavior. Please keep in mind, our cat scratch spray contains bitters that is effective for cats, can have a strong scent to some people. Make sure to always use in a well ventilated area and do not breath the mist. Use sparingly at first as a precaution to test for adequate ventilation. Not Just for Cats: This cat scratch deterrent spray is also safe for use with dogs, puppies, kittens and any other pets. If you have any comments or suggestions about our cat spray for scratching, please contact us, we will provide you with a solution within 24 hours. Product Features
😺 VETERINARIAN RECOMMENDED: Comfort Zone Spray and Scratch Control Spray is a veterinarian-recommended solution to help keep cats calm. 😺 REDUCE CAT SRESS: Helps to calm your cat and reduce urine spraying, scratching, and other unwanted behaviors. 😺 DRUG-FREE: Drug-free solution that helps your cats feel safe, happy, and relaxed while encouraging positive behaviors. 😺 PROTECT HOME AND FURNITURE: Great for spot treating areas in the home that your cat targets such as couches or door frames. 😺 STOP SCRATCHING: Proven to reduce unwanted scratching and is safe for use on fabrics, upholstery, hardwood, and doorframes. 😺 TRAVEL WITH EASE: Great for vet visits or when traveling with a nervous cat. 😺 WELCOMING ATMOSPHERE: Great to ease the stress of a new environment and helps cats adjust to challenging or stressful situations while reducing unwanted behaviors. 😺 SATISFACTION GUARANTEED: We are so confident your pets will find stress relief from our products that we offer a satisfaction guaranteed or your money back. Results may vary by each individual cat. Product Features
VETERINARIAN RECOMMENDED: Comfort Zone Spray and Scratch Control Spray is a veterinarian-recommended solution to help keep cats calm REDUCE CAT SRESS: Helps to calm your cat and reduce urine spraying, scratching, and other unwanted behaviors DRUG-FREE: Drug-free solution that helps your cats feel safe, happy, and relaxed while encouraging positive behaviors PROTECT HOME AND FURNITURE: Great for spot treating areas in the home that your cat targets such as couches or door frames STOP SCRATCHING: Proven to reduce unwanted scratching and is safe for use on fabrics, upholstery, hardwood, and doorframes TRAVEL WITH EASE: Great for vet visits or when traveling with a nervous cat WELCOMING ATMOSPHERE: Great to ease the stress of a new environment and helps cats adjust to challenging or stressful situations while reducing unwanted behaviors SATISFACTION GUARANTEED: We are so confident your pets will find stress relief from our products that we offer a satisfaction guaranteed or your money back. Results may vary by each individual cat CONTACT US: We value our consumer feedback and questions. Visit our website to contact the Comfort Zone customer care team Product Features
STOP PETS FROM SCRATCHING INDOORS: If your kitten or senior cat is scratching and clawing, help discourage her from bringing out her claws with NaturVet Pet Organics No Scratch Spray for cats. HELP PREVENT CAT CLAWING: NaturVet Pet Organics No Scratch Spray for Cats works to discourage your cats from scratching furniture, carpet, drapes and more. This pet training spray for housebreaking cats is free from harsh chemicals and safe to use on most fabrics. PET TRAINING SPRAY TO HOUSEBREAK CATS: This easy-to-apply pet training spray is non-staining, non-toxic and water-based so it does not sting your pet's skin or stain furniture. This pet housebreaking spray can be used indoors and outdoors on all washable surfaces. VETERINARIAN FORMULATED PET TRAINING SPRAY FOR URINE: Support your pet's active lifestyle with this pet training spray that goes beyond what most pet repellent sprays do and helps discourage cats from scratching and clawing. PET PRODUCTS YOU CAN TRUST: Since 1994, NaturVet has been serving the four-legged community with wholesome, vitamin-infused dog supplements so that your pup or senior dog maintains a healthy lifestyle. Made in the USA, each pet product from NaturVet is cGMP compliant and wheat-free. Product Features
SCRATCH DETERRENT: Scratch Not Spray contains a blend of lemon and eucalyptus essential oils, scents cats actively avoid; the spray helps train and condition cats from scratching anywhere they please with a simple spritz on surfaces popular with claws HELPS SAVE FURNITURE: The citrus scent helps repel cats and keeps them from making a mess of your furniture; for best results, place a scratcher nearby to help redirect their behavior to more appropriate scratching outlets EASY TO USE: Simply spray where needed (walls, furniture, furnishings, etc.) to help keep cats away; DO NOT spray directly on cats DISCLAIMER: Not all cats are repelled by the odor of the spray; if your cat does not react to the spray, try a different method such as our Scratch-Not Tape CAUTION: Scratch Not Spray may damage certain surfaces, including wood finishes, painted surfaces, leather, vinyl, and wallpaper; always test a small piece on an inconspicuous area of the subjected surface ABOUT US: SmartyKat products help pet owners meet basic feline needs; from scratchers and toys to edible grass and catnip, our products are designed to stimulate a particular feline need while fostering a stronger relationship between you and your cat Product Features
TRAIN YOUR CAT TO STAY AWAY FROM TREATED AREAS: Live in harmony and establish boundaries with your kitten or cat with Bodhi Dog 3-in-1 Cat & Kitten Training Aid with added bitters. Our cat training spray uses a scent your feline friend can't stand but pleasant to the human senses. With consistent use of our cat training spray, your cat or kitten will associate which areas are off-limits, where a cat's presence is not desired and deters scratching and chewing. EFFECTIVE FOR INDOOR & OUTDOOR USE: Keep cats and kittens from sitting, jumping, chewing, scratching furniture, carpet, wood flooring, and drapes within the household. Spray Cat Repellent Spray on the target area, then reapply every 24 hours to keep it kitty and scratch-free. Repeat until the habit is broken. Cats use their sense of smell to determine where to spend their time, and the amount to use depends on how severe the cat's habits are and how often they visit the area. When first using, test for adverse effects by spraying a small amount on an inconspicuous area. Only use in a well-ventilated space. ADDED BITTERS TO PREVENT CHEWING: No need to yell or swat when your feline friend is chewing on the plant! The added bitters in the formula do not scare or harm your cat, it just makes any surface you spray taste awful. Our Cat Training Spray is safe for use on most materials, including fabrics, furniture, woodwork, walls, baseboards, blinds, rugs, plants, and carpets! NOTE: Natural bitters may trigger allergic reactions in humans and animals. Use sparingly at first to ensure safety and only use in a well-ventilated space. LONG LASTING & SAFE FORMULA: Safe to use around plants and won't stain water-safe furniture or fabrics. Our animal-cruelty free formula is a long-lasting blend of ingredients that will stop cats from scratching furniture and destroying your other precious items in your house. It is safe to use around other pets and children when used as directed. Our Cat Training Spray is intended as a training aid and deterrent, be sure to provide enticing scratchers and toys nearby. OUR ETHICAL FAMILY COMMITMENT: Proudly made in the USA using socially responsible practices, locally sourced and sustainable ingredients, animal cruelty-free production, and eco-friendly recyclable packaging. If you don't love our 3-in-1 Cat & Kitten Training Aid, please let us know. We are a small family-owned business of pet lovers committed to making great products that are safe for you, your pets, and the planet! Product Features
Exclusive Keep Off Cat Spray - Our formula safely and effectively deters scratching. We use naturally derived, safe ingredients like Rosemary Oil and Lemongrass in our no scratch spray for cats and kittens. Our cat counter deterrent and cat scratch deterrent can stop cats from scratching furniture, floors, drapes, and more. Deters cats from loitering and scratching in any area of your home More Effective Than Tape and Noisemakers - Cats rely on their sense of smell to determine where they hang out. They hate this anti scratch cat spray formula, but you'll love it. Smells great to us, but a crystal clear cat scratching deterrent for our feline friends. They'll get the hint within minutes. Keep cats away with our cat spray and enjoy peace of mind knowing they will no longer destroy items in your home. Live in peace together with our keep off cat scratch spray Alcohol Free Formula and Safe for Your Home - EBPP cat deterrent is great for drapes, furniture, fabric, plants, flooring, doorways and more. While tapes can permanently damage your home's sensitive surfaces and leave a messy residue, our cat spray deterrent is safe for use around your home and an exceptional cat spray and anti scratch furniture protector. Pleasant rosemary fragrance will dissipate after use. Most customers find the smell quite calming, especially after seeing the results Easy to Use, Just Spray to Deter - We recommend spraying 3-4 times daily for the first two weeks, and then lessening frequency as your cat learns their new behavior. Take advantage of the FREE training tips offered through our interactive training program after purchase. Our cat repellents & training aids are a compassionate way to train your furry friends. We are committed to your success 100% MANUFACTURER'S SATISFACTION GUARANTEE - We're so confident you'll love the results that if you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund your purchase, no questions asked. How's that for standing behind a product Product Features
CAT SCRATCHING DETERRENT: Spray is formulated to discourage destructive scratching behavior. SPRAY ON FURNITURE, CARPETS & CURTAINS: Apply to areas or objects where your cat frequently scratches. QUICK RESULTS: Long-lasting, concentrated formula. SAFE FOR PETS AND HOME: When used as directed, this formula may be used around your pets (do not apply directly on pet). TRUSTED BRAND: From the maker of Nature's Miracle products, the pet stain and odor removing brand you trust… because it works. 8 Cat Scratching Posts To Keep Claws Off Your Furniture
via merchant Best Compact Cat Scratching Post Frisco 20-Inch Faux Fur Cat Tree
No room for a giant cat condo? Cats still need legal scratching opportunities, and the Frisco 20-Inch Cat Tree offers great value in a compact form that's easy to assemble. This piece includes two sisal-covered posts for scratching and a hammock suspended between them. One prime scratch time is when cats first wake up, so the configuration offers a double-your-fun option. The two suspended pom-pom toys tempt cats to bat them, and clawing at the toys gives her a taste for sharpening those needles on the posts instead of furniture. This miniature cat tree fits in even tiny apartments. Plus, at the economical price, adding more than one to your home provides multiple cats all the claw options they desire.
Pros
Compact size: 22 inches long by 22 inches wide by 20 inches tall Straightforward assembly instructions Economical price Designed with cat behavior in mind Cons
Not the best for larger cats Shop Now
via merchant Best Cat Scratching Post for Kittens Pawz Road Cat Scratching Post and Pad
This Pawz Road Cat Scratching Post and Pad works well for all cats, but even better for kittens. The horizontal sisal post offers several ways for a cat to interact with it, including climbing on top of the bar, biting it or lying down and clawing around it. This affordable scratching post takes up little space and features a soft pad for additional scratching opportunities. For larger adult cats who outweigh some posts or platforms, this configuration lets them bully and tear up the sisal to their chubby hearts' content. As for kittens, consider this a starter kit for the babies learning what to do with those paws. It includes a removable ball on a spring, but please supervise interactions with metal components. I'd recommend removing it altogether and finding a better cat toy.
Pros
Low, compact size won't tip over and suits cats of all ages Can be assembled within minutes Includes a fully wrapped scratching post Cons
Scratch pad shreds more easily Safety concern with spring-attached toy Shop Now
via merchant Best Cardboard Cat Scratching Post PetFusion Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge
For cats who adore scratching cardboard and humans who prefer a more stylish look, I have the answer. The PetFusion Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge, made from compressed corrugated cardboard, combines an elegant infinity symbol design, function and long-lasting quality. The gentle curves invite cats to lounge, the holes beckon them to play hide-and-seek and the texture tempts them to test claws.
Both cats and humans love the design, especially since there's nothing to assemble or tip over. When your cat completely shreds the top side, flip over the lounge for a fresh, new-looking scratcher. There's no need to hide this scratcher, as it looks like a high-end minimalist furniture piece and comes in three colors to fit existing decor. For households with one or two cats, expect it to last four to six months.
Pros
Made with superior cardboard material for long-lasting use Award-winning design, including the 2015 Eco-Excellence Award Comes in white, gray and brown colors Cons
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What to look for when buying cat scratching posts
Besides what a cat prefers, some generalities apply to choosing cat scratching posts. Quality cat posts last many years, so invest in one that your pet will enjoy for the long term:
A small-sized post may satisfy kittens, but feline tastes change as they mature. Choose a cat scratching post that will work when she becomes an adult, too. Choose a sturdy, solid scratch object that won't tip over or scoot under the cat's clawed assault. If it falls over once and scares her, she won't try to scratch it again. Look for a post taller or longer than the cat's full-body stretch. How we chose the best cat scratching posts
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we're only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product's quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.
FAQ Are scratching posts good for cats?
Cats need scratching posts to stay healthy and happy. Without them, they become frustrated, stressed and develop behavioral problems. Scratch objects enrich a cat's environment and benefit her physical health and emotional well being. She will scratch whether or not there's a legal outlet. Even cats without claws continue to go through the motions and often develop other behavioral problems if claws are removed.
What does it mean when a cat uses a scratching post?
Cats scratch for several reasons, and when they do, they're trying to tell you something. They claim ownership of territory using visible clawing and scent marks from their paws. They want their scratch graffiti seen and won't use posts hidden away in back rooms. Ideal locations include cat lookouts or pathways important to them: near windows, at the top of stairs or by favorite sleeping or eating spots. Homes with more than one cat should have multiple scratching posts to satisfy their urge to own territory.
Clawing also provides aerobic exercise and removes the outer dull layer of the claws to reveal sharp points. An emotional expression, cats use clawing to express pleasure and happiness during play or as a greeting when their owner comes home. They scratch when they feel stressed as well, because it helps relieve the angst. Yelling at cats, spraying them with water or otherwise punishing them when they scratch actually increases their desire to do so.
What scratcher is best for cats?
Felines tell us what they want. Choose one that matches your cat's preference in terms of the object's surface, form and location. Often, they want multiple surfaces and shapes.
Ideally, follow the 1+1 rule: one cat scratching post per cat, plus one. That way, kitties won't argue over who owns which post, and can't guard it to keep other cats from using it. Also, because cats want scratch marks to be seen, think twice about replacing a tattered, well-scratched post your cat uses. It takes time for cats to break in a favorite post, and they may switch back to the sofa if you replace a beloved clawing post with something new and unfamiliar.
How do you train a cat not to scratch furniture?
Teach kittens from the moment they arrive by providing them with legal scratch objects. Handle their paws daily and clip claws weekly with nail trimmers. That way, even if they slip up, they won't hurt furniture. If your cat has already started clawing the wrong place, get a scratch post that duplicates the material the cat likes. Put the post directly in front of the forbidden furniture—at least temporarily. Make the cat scratching post irresistible. Spike it with catnip, for example, or drag feathers or a shine laser light on the surface to engage the cat's claws. Praise her when she scratches the right object. Meanwhile, make the forbidden furniture unattractive by using an off-putting scent, double-sided tape or protective plastic covers on the upholstery. Learn more about claw deterrents here. Once she pledges scratch-allegiance to the new post, start moving it five or 10 inches at a time to a more acceptable location. Stop hunting for the best products and deals—get our expert scoop on secret sales and discounts, gift ideas for everyone and can't-miss products. Sign up for the Stuff We Love newsletter.
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