First Aid in Cats

Medical emergencies occur suddenly and without warning. It is important for all cat owners to have a basic understanding of common veterinary medical emergencies and basic first aid for their pet.  While no one can be prepared for all emergencies, there are some simple guidelines you should follow and things to look for if your cat seems ill or involved in an accident.  Who knows, it just may save your cat's life.

"For a general overview of what constitutes an emergency, and how to handle common crisis situations, refer to our fact sheet on Emergencies in Cats."


What is first aid?


  • To preserve life
  • To reduce pain and discomfort
  • To minimize any risk of permanent disability or disfigurement


In an emergency, what should I do first?





5.  Get to the veterinary hospital as soon as possible, but drive carefully.


Are there any restraint tips that might be useful?


"An otherwise friendly animal to act aggressively."



"Muzzles can be difficult to put onto a cat."

1.  Muzzles can be difficult to put onto a cat, due to the shape of most cats' faces. There are specific muzzles designed for use in cats, but they are rarely handy when an emergency strikes. For some cats, it may be possible to loop an improvised muzzle made from a piece of rope or a pair of pantyhose around the cat's head to prevent it from biting. If you can safely get the jaw closed, it is relatively easy to keep it closed because cats only have one muscle to open their jaw. If not, you can drape a towel over the cat's head to provide some measure of protection.

2.  You can wrap the body of a frightened or unmanageable cat in a blanket, a small bag or purse, or towel. Do not constrict the trachea or airway. If possible, leave the head exposed, but if the cat is very aggressive, it will be safer to put the entire cat in the bag. NEVER put a cat in this sort of restraint if you are suspicious of a fractured bone or spinal injury

3.  If you are suspicious of a spinal injury lay the cat on a board and immobilize it with straps or cords. Pay special attention to immobilizing the head and neck. Better yet, put the cat in a large box.


What are the signs of shock?


Shock has many definitions. It is a complex systemic or whole body reaction to a number of situations. These include severe trauma, hemorrhage or sudden blood loss, heart failure and other causes of decreased circulation (e.g. severe and sudden allergic reaction and heat stroke). A life-threatening fall in blood pressure is a dangerous part of shock. If not treated quickly and effectively, systemic shock may cause irreversible injury to body cells, and it can be fatal.

Symptoms include rapid breathing which may be noisy, rapid heart rate with a weak pulse, pale (possibly even white) mucous membranes (gums, lips, under eyelids), severe depression (listlessness) and cool extremities (limbs and ears). The cat may vomit.


What should I do if my cat is showing signs of shock?

Keep the cat as quiet as possible and try to conserve heat by covering it with blankets, towels, or even newspapers.  Follow the A, B, Cs of first aid:

A          Airway

B         Breathing

C         Cardiac function

Airway - Anything that obstructs the airway prevents oxygen entering the lungs. Do your best to clear the mouth and throat of any obstruction such as vomit, saliva or other foreign material. Be careful; your pet may bite you in panic.





How should I administer rescue breathing to my cat?

When you encounter an unresponsive cat, the first step is to ensure that there is an open airway.

1.  Carefully pull the tongue out of the mouth.

2.  Extend the head and neck so that they are in a straight line. DO NOT hyperextend the neck in animals that have obvious head and neck trauma.


4.  Place a resuscitator mask or your hand over the cat's muzzle while holding the mouth shut and extend the neck. For cats, you can sometimes improvise with a styrofoam cup or other similar shaped object, by putting the opening over the cat's face and poking a large hole in the bottom for you to breathe through. Ensure a relatively tight seal around the muzzle.


6.  If you believe there is an airway obstruction that you cannot see, turn the cat upside down, with the back against your chest. Give 5 sharp thrusts to the rib cage to try and expel any object.

7.  For rescue breathing, provide 20 breaths per minute.

8.  If the cat fails to breathe on its own, you may attempt an acupressure maneuver.  Press firmly with your fingernail or other hard object in the space between the nostrils and the upper lip (nasal philtrum).  Do this for 10-30 seconds.


What else should I know about basic cat CPR?

"If there are still no obvious signs of life you should attempt cardiac compressions."



2.  If possible, lay the cat on its right side.

3.  Feel (palpate) for a heart beat or femoral pulse. The femoral pulse is located inside the leg in the groin region. Cats DO NOT have a readily palpable carotid (neck) pulse.


5.  Use one hand to compress the chest from both sides by putting your fingers on one side and your thumb on the other side of the chest. Compress the chest 3-5 times followed by 2 rescue breaths. The rate should be about 3 compressions every 2 seconds.

6.  Try to compress the chest wall at least 30%. This is ½-1" (1-2 cm) in the average cat.




Blood loss

Burns and scalds

Eye injuries
Injuries to the eye are always very painful and can threaten the eyesight. If a foreign body (grass awn, hair, piece of a claw, etc.) can be seen, it may be possible to remove it by gently rinsing the eye with eye wash or contact lens saline solution. Do not allow the cat to scratch or rub the eye. Seek veterinary advice as soon as possible.

"After being involved in an emergency or accident, it is important that you take your cat for a veterinary examination as soon as possible, even if it appears to have recovered fully."


