How do you keep a cat from licking a wound? It can be challenging, I understand this as cats are determined, little creatures.
Having a cat with a wound – be it surgical or from trauma – is stressful, you spend time worrying about them and the last thing you need is to worry about them causing more damage to themselves by licking or scratching the wound.
So what is the best way to do that?
How to Keep a Cat from licking a wound – Simple, achievable tips
Firstly, it is important to make this clear..
Cat saliva is not healing.
This is a very old school way of thinking and there is no Veterinary science behind it – please do not allow your cat to do this.
Think of all the places your cat licks itself on a daily basis and think about all the things it puts in its mouth – that tongue and mouth is not a healthy environment to place on a wound. If you have ever seen an infection of a cat bite – even on yourself or another animal, you will know the cat mouth is not a clean and healing environment.
Allowing your cat to lick an open wound will end in infection, which can further lead to unnecessary pain and your cat feeling very poorly. This is the same with a surgical wound, such as after neutering, do not allow your cat to lick stitches or sutures, as this is very likely to lead to irritation, infection and eventually a breakdown of the wound (meaning it may need to be resutured).
Why do cats lick wounds?
You may believe your cat will not lick their wounds and therefore you do not need to find ways to stop them but trust us they will.
If your cat has a surgical wound, such as a spay wound, they will most likely have a large clipped area of fur. As the fur starts to grow back it can sometimes be quite itchy or irritant, which will lead to your cat licking the area in order to try to soothe it.
Another reason, which is very important, is they may be in pain in that area. It is extremely important we stop cats from licking their wounds, but it is also just as important we stop the reason why they are doing this. If your cat has pain in the area, they may express this through biting and licking the area (other signs of pain in cats may include growling, inappetence, hiding, lethargy).
If you suspect your cat is licking due to pain it is very important you contact your Veterinary Surgeon to discuss this and receive more pain relief.
However, the most obvious reason is because cats like to be clean. Cats are always grooming themselves and ensuring their coat is in good condition. Cats sadly do not understand that they have a healing wound or they need to leave stitches alone in order to heal.
This is why there are different methods you can try to stop a cat licking a wound.
E-Collars for cats
The most traditional method is by placing an E-Collar on your cat.
E-Collars are also known as Buster collars, Elizabethan collars, the cone of shame, etc.
When fitted to the correct size, they prevent your cat from being able to reach the area of the wound for licking. They easily clip on around your cat’s neck and often loop around their collar for additional security.
It is important your cat does not go outside with one of these collars on as they may have delayed reactions with their vision or get caught on something.
Generally, these collars are well tolerated by cats once they get used to them. I would strongly advise only purchasing a transparent collar as opposed to an opaque one. Cats do not like to be snuck up on and an opaque collar can make for a stressed cat.
Soft Collars for cats
Material, soft E-collars are also available, although they are opaque. These have been designed for cats who find the traditional uncomfortable, especially for sleeping – these are potentially better for older, more arthritic cats.
However, if you do choose this type of collar, monitor your cat’s behaviour after placing it. If they become more jumpy or nervous, you may need to rethink or perhaps try a feline calming pheromone such as Feliway Optimum. I would not advise this type of collar for deaf cats.
Inflatable collars for cats
I am really not a huge fan of these for cats (however, they are good for dogs) but they do work for some.
Inflatable cat collars are good for stopping a cat from scratching a wound, however, I just do not find cats tolerate them well and they can often feel quite heavy around their necks. They would not be top of my list plus cats have sharp claws which could easily pop them.
Cat recovery suits
If your cat has a surgical wound on the main trunk of their body, I highly recommend a recovery suit.
They are essentially medical baby grows. The reason I recommend these is they still allow your cat to exhibit all normal behaviour and can often feel less restrictive than an E-collar. Most importantly, it does not restrict any vision and allows them to still fully rely on their whiskers.
If your cat has an open wound please discuss with your Vet first if a recovery suit will be suitable. Some may prefer the wound not to be enclosed and therefore not recommend in this cat.
Recovery suits for cats are always suitable to protect stitches in a closed surgical wound.
Provide distraction
Along with the various different aids, it is important to keep your cat entertained as well.
A bored cat will lick their wounds as they have nothing else to do but groom. Over grooming can be a sign of stress, which maybe caused by an outdoor cat now having to be indoors on recovery.
Find ways to keep an active cat’s mind engaged and distracted. Puzzle feeders are great for food orientated cats, however, there are also lots of great low-cost toys you can make at home.
Remember your cat is healing, therefore, try not to choose toys or games which include too much jumping or running which may put additional pressure on the wound.
Stopping a cat from licking a wound may seem like a stressful task but it is an essential one. It is preventing delayed healing, a possible infection, a breakdown of a wound and most importantly maintaining the health of your beloved cat.
Sign up for the latest cat care advice and fun as well as to be the first to hear about our newest products!