Can a Cat's Injured Paw Heal on Its Own? And How to Treat It

If a cat's paw is bleeding and the bleeding stops, it can usually heal on its own. However, if the bleeding is profuse or the wound has become infected, it requires veterinary attention. As a pet owner, you can initially apply pressure to the wound with a gauze pad to control the bleeding, followed by disinfecting the area with a styptic powder or povidone-iodine solution.

If your cat's paw has become infected (with pus formation), it is crucial to take it to a veterinarian. The vet will first flush the pus from the wound using hydrogen peroxide and then rinse away the hydrogen peroxide with saline solution. After that, a medication that promotes tissue regeneration can be applied. Fresh wounds should ideally be bandaged to minimize dirt contamination. Contaminated wounds require some airflow, so they can be gently covered with a layer of gauze. Contaminated wounds typically take about two weeks to heal, whereas fresh wounds usually heal within a week. During the healing process, your cat should not be bathed, and the paw should be kept dry. It's a good idea to keep the cat in a crate to limit activity.

When trimming your cat's nails, be cautious of the quick (the pink area containing blood vessels and nerves); cutting into the quick will cause bleeding and pain. This will also make your cat resist nail trims in the future. During the recovery period, it is advisable to isolate the injured cat from other pets and use an Elizabethan collar to prevent the cat from licking at the wound or fighting with other animals.

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