If your cat is injured or has an unexpected medical emergency, it is useful to know what to do. However, your first action must be to call your vet for advice and take your cat to the vet as soon as possible. In some cases it may be safer for you and the cat for the vet to come to where the cat is than to risk further injury by transporting them.

How to handle an injured cat

• If the cat is very distressed and frightened contact your vet, as they may need a trained person to handle them.
• Injured cats will be frightened and in pain, and may lash out causing serious injury, so always seek advice first and handle them gently and cautiously.
• If your vet advises you to bring the cat to the practice then approach your cat slowly and quietly. If possible, wear gloves and keep your face well away.
• Place a large, thick towel around your cat to pick him/her up.
• Place your cat in a carrier and take him or her to the vet immediately. If possible, call your vet before you arrive.

Car accidents or serious falls

• Do not put yourself in danger on a busy road or on a steep drop to rescue a cat; contact the police and your vet immediately.
• Carefully remove your cat from further danger if necessary and safe to do so, as they might have broken bones and internal injuries. As above, use a large, soft towel to move the cat and prevent the cat hurting you.
• Be careful not to twist the body.
• Place the cat in a basket and immediately go the vet’s.
• Keep your cat warm by covering with another blanket until you reach the vet.

To stop bleeding

• As always your safety comes first and a cat in pain may lash out so contact your vet for advice and use a large, thick towel to pick up your cat to take them to the nearest vet.
• If the cat is safe to approach then hold a thick bandage or towel to the wound to stem the blood flow. Do not use disinfectant.
• Contact your vet as quickly as possible for treatment.

Treating poisoning

• Signs of poisoning will vary with the toxin ingested but include drooling, severe vomiting, diarrhoea, staggering, convulsions (seizures) and abnormal eye movements.
• Contact your vet and, if you know, tell them what substance your cat has ingested or anything you can think of they have been in contact with. Take the substance with you to the vet’s, if possible.
• Do not induce vomiting.
• If you suspect your cat has the toxin on their coat then try and prevent them licking any off (e.g. wrap them in a towel) and take them straight to the vet who can try to remove the toxin.

Scalds and burns

• Consult your vet as quickly as possible even if the cat looks normal initially.
• Never cover the burnt area or apply any creams/ointments.

Insect bites and stings

• Insect stings can be painful and occasionally leave in an embedded sting. Immediately call your vet for advice and tell the vet if you see a sting left behind.
• If possible try to see and report to your vet if it was a bee or wasp sting.
• A sting in the mouth or throat will swell rapidly and can result in asphyxiation, so rush your cat to the vet (call to tell them you are on your way).

Problems with choking

• If your cat is choking contact your vet immediately. They may advise you to try to open your cat’s mouth and see if an object is visible, but this can risk you being bitten so be very careful.
• Take your cat immediately to the vet’s.

Electrocution

• Before you touch an electrocuted cat, switch off the power and remove the plug from the socket, or you will also receive an electric shock.
• If your cat has chewed through an electrical wire, the mouth and tongue may be burned. Electrical burns can result in shock and cardiac arrest, so contact your vet urgently.

Combating dehydration

• Heatstroke, severe vomiting or diarrhoea, kidney disease or diabetes can cause your cat to lose vital body fluids.
• Pinch the loose skin at the back of your cat's neck and lift it up. If the skin falls back slowly, your cat is dehydrated. Gums may also feel dry and tacky in the early stages.
• Contact your vet urgently as you cannot treat this yourself. Do not try and force your cat to drink as this may do more harm than good.

Seizures/fits

• If your cat is having a fit this can be very frightening to watch. Call your vet for advice immediately and remove objects from around the cat that they could knock into and hurt themselves.
• Turn off televisions and bright lights.
• Do not try to touch your cat or open their mouth.
• After a fit cats can show uncharacteristic aggression so be careful.
• If your vet advises bringing the cat in then wrap the cat in a large, thick towel to prevent injury to yourself and take him/her straight to the practice.