10 Easy Ways to Treat a Sick Cat Without a Vet
Having a pet is a wonderful experience and having a pet cat is a companionship that will give you happiness and comfort. Cats are generally healthy animals and will bounce back even if they fall sick but there will be times when your cat will fall sick and knowing how to treat him is vital for speedy recovery. Below are the 10 easy ways you can treat a sick cat without seeking the help of a vet.
1. Using hot steam or hot water vapour
Using hot steam or hot vapor in front of your cat who is sick will help fight respiratory ailments. Some of the signs of respiratory illness in a cat is,
2. Give antibiotics for your sick cat
Antibiotics are recommended and prescribed by veterinarians world over to treat sick cats. There are some few safe antibiotics you can use during an emergency if your cat is sick and they are,
3. Carry the cat using a blanket
Using a towel to wrap a cat keeps your pet cat comfortable. Take a clean towel and gently wrap it around the cat starting from the belly. After wrapping the cat, slowly carry him and this will help you in giving first aid to your cat because the cat's paws are all wrapped and will not claw you or try to escape. Wrapping your cat in a blanket or a towel will help you administer medicine and liquids as well.
4. Give plenty of water
One of the most concerning issues in a sick cat is dehydration. Sick cats become generally fussy due to experiencing body pain and will refuse to eat or drink. If the cat's nose is congested, it won't want to drink any water so,clear his nose by gently using a cotton bud and once he can comfortably breathe, he will start drinking water. First start giving water in a small amount and then gradually increase the intake. Trying to give water using a bowl or a cup will be difficult when your cat is sick. You can use a small cat fountain or simply pour water in a bottle and prick a small hole which will make water flow from it and place it near your cat's mouth and he will start drinking the water.
5. Showing love and kindness
Showing love and kindness to a human or animal is very important and showing kindness will help your cat remain calm and aid is recovering faster. Cats who are injured or are sick become paranoid due to knowing the vulnerability they will experience as a result of fearing any attack from other cats, Keeping your cat calm is very important because for you to apply first aid, you will have to keep your kitty calm. Cats who are injured will turn aggressive and using a
distraction strategy such as using a laser pointer or a small toy will help in giving first aid to the cat.
6. Give antibiotics
There are some few safe antibiotics you can use during an emergency if your cat is sick and they are,
Amoxicillin-Which is the best and safest antibiotic that can be used in cats which fights infections
Metronidazole-Helps in fighting gastrointestinal problems in cats
Enrofloxacin-Which is used to treat skin and urinary tract infections
Ampicillin-Used for respiratory and urinary tract infections
Cephalexin-Used for skin infections, respiratory tract infections and urinary tract infections.
All of the above mentioned antibiotics are safe for your cat but if you need more advice, you can contact your veterinarian on the dosage and administration plan.
7. Gradually give solid food
Solid foods such as protein rich meat is very important for a cat's overall health. Cats which are sick will refuse taking solid foods and this could weaken the immunity and worsen the cat's health. If the cat is refusing to eat, slowly and gently feed the cat by opening it's mouth and then the cat will start eating. You should slowly and gradually introduce protein rich foots such as fish and meat.
8. Pacify your cat
Cats who are injured become paranoid due to knowing the vulnerability they will experience as a result of fearing any attack from other cats, Keeping your cat calm is very important because for you to apply first aid or to give food or medicine,, you will have to keep your kitty calm. Cats who are injured will turn aggressive and using a distraction strategy such as using a laser pointer or a small toy will help in giving first aid to the cat.
9. Use a thermometer to check the fever
Thermometers are not only used for humans, but also can be used for your cat as well. There are generally two generally known methods when checking the temperature of a cat using a thermometer and that is to to check the temperature by inserting the thermometer in the rectum or the ears. Generally checking the fever using the rectum is more accurate but due to obvious hygenic reasons and even vets generally use this method. The other method is to check by inserting the thermometer in to the ear. There are two major types of thermometers and one is the mercury thermometer and the other is the digital thermometer. If your cat has a temperature above 102.5º F, then he has fever and if the temperature goes beyond 106º F, then the fever is serious and you should take him to the nearby veterinarian because high fever which is as high as 106º F can cause serious damage to vital organs of your pet cat. Checking the temprerature of your cat is important due to this reason.
10. Give first aid if needed
Giving first aid to your sick cat can help the cat in many ways like, wound management, Some of the tell tale signs that your cat needs first aid is because of,
Hiding in dingy places and not coming out
Aggression both towards people and other pets in the home
Sleeping more often
Lack of appetite
Lack of self-grooming
Obsessive licking of a particular area
Reluctance to move or engage in cat or kitten play
Change in toileting
Limping or difficulty getting around
Growling or crying
Conclusion
Treating a sick cat will help your cat to recover quickly and knowing how to treat your cat will help you know what to do if your cat is not well. If the condition of your cat is not improving, please seek the professional help of a veteriarian.
1. Using hot steam or hot water vapour
Using hot steam or hot vapor in front of your cat who is sick will help fight respiratory ailments. Some of the signs of respiratory illness in a cat is,
- Congestion
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Cough.
- clogged nose with mucus
- Gagging, drooling.
- Fever.
- Loss of appetite.
2. Give antibiotics for your sick cat
Antibiotics are recommended and prescribed by veterinarians world over to treat sick cats. There are some few safe antibiotics you can use during an emergency if your cat is sick and they are,
- Amoxicillin-Which is the best and safest antibiotic that can be used in cats which fights infections
- Metronidazole-Helps in fighting gastrointestinal problems in cats
- Enrofloxacin-Which is used to treat skin and urinary tract infections
- Ampicillin-Used for respiratory and urinary tract infections
- Cephalexin-Used for skin infections, respiratory tract infections and urinary tract infections.
3. Carry the cat using a blanket
Using a towel to wrap a cat keeps your pet cat comfortable. Take a clean towel and gently wrap it around the cat starting from the belly. After wrapping the cat, slowly carry him and this will help you in giving first aid to your cat because the cat's paws are all wrapped and will not claw you or try to escape. Wrapping your cat in a blanket or a towel will help you administer medicine and liquids as well.
4. Give plenty of water
One of the most concerning issues in a sick cat is dehydration. Sick cats become generally fussy due to experiencing body pain and will refuse to eat or drink. If the cat's nose is congested, it won't want to drink any water so,clear his nose by gently using a cotton bud and once he can comfortably breathe, he will start drinking water. First start giving water in a small amount and then gradually increase the intake. Trying to give water using a bowl or a cup will be difficult when your cat is sick. You can use a small cat fountain or simply pour water in a bottle and prick a small hole which will make water flow from it and place it near your cat's mouth and he will start drinking the water.
5. Showing love and kindness
Showing love and kindness to a human or animal is very important and showing kindness will help your cat remain calm and aid is recovering faster. Cats who are injured or are sick become paranoid due to knowing the vulnerability they will experience as a result of fearing any attack from other cats, Keeping your cat calm is very important because for you to apply first aid, you will have to keep your kitty calm. Cats who are injured will turn aggressive and using a
distraction strategy such as using a laser pointer or a small toy will help in giving first aid to the cat.
6. Give antibiotics
There are some few safe antibiotics you can use during an emergency if your cat is sick and they are,
Amoxicillin-Which is the best and safest antibiotic that can be used in cats which fights infections
Metronidazole-Helps in fighting gastrointestinal problems in cats
Enrofloxacin-Which is used to treat skin and urinary tract infections
Ampicillin-Used for respiratory and urinary tract infections
Cephalexin-Used for skin infections, respiratory tract infections and urinary tract infections.
All of the above mentioned antibiotics are safe for your cat but if you need more advice, you can contact your veterinarian on the dosage and administration plan.
7. Gradually give solid food
Solid foods such as protein rich meat is very important for a cat's overall health. Cats which are sick will refuse taking solid foods and this could weaken the immunity and worsen the cat's health. If the cat is refusing to eat, slowly and gently feed the cat by opening it's mouth and then the cat will start eating. You should slowly and gradually introduce protein rich foots such as fish and meat.
8. Pacify your cat
Cats who are injured become paranoid due to knowing the vulnerability they will experience as a result of fearing any attack from other cats, Keeping your cat calm is very important because for you to apply first aid or to give food or medicine,, you will have to keep your kitty calm. Cats who are injured will turn aggressive and using a distraction strategy such as using a laser pointer or a small toy will help in giving first aid to the cat.
9. Use a thermometer to check the fever
Thermometers are not only used for humans, but also can be used for your cat as well. There are generally two generally known methods when checking the temperature of a cat using a thermometer and that is to to check the temperature by inserting the thermometer in the rectum or the ears. Generally checking the fever using the rectum is more accurate but due to obvious hygenic reasons and even vets generally use this method. The other method is to check by inserting the thermometer in to the ear. There are two major types of thermometers and one is the mercury thermometer and the other is the digital thermometer. If your cat has a temperature above 102.5º F, then he has fever and if the temperature goes beyond 106º F, then the fever is serious and you should take him to the nearby veterinarian because high fever which is as high as 106º F can cause serious damage to vital organs of your pet cat. Checking the temprerature of your cat is important due to this reason.
10. Give first aid if needed
Giving first aid to your sick cat can help the cat in many ways like, wound management, Some of the tell tale signs that your cat needs first aid is because of,
Hiding in dingy places and not coming out
Aggression both towards people and other pets in the home
Sleeping more often
Lack of appetite
Lack of self-grooming
Obsessive licking of a particular area
Reluctance to move or engage in cat or kitten play
Change in toileting
Limping or difficulty getting around
Growling or crying
Conclusion
Treating a sick cat will help your cat to recover quickly and knowing how to treat your cat will help you know what to do if your cat is not well. If the condition of your cat is not improving, please seek the professional help of a veteriarian.