How to Treat Burns on a Cat

Co-authored by Lauren Baker, DVM, PhD

Last Updated: April 21, 2019 References

Cats are curious by nature and can get burned by heat or chemicals if they are not careful. Left untreated, burns can cause infection, dehydration, and shock. By identifying the type of burn, and treating the burn appropriately whether it is thermal or chemical, you can get your cat on the road to recovery in no time.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Treating Thermal Burns

1
Unplug or extinguish the source of the burn. Thermal burns are most often caused by heating appliances in the home or fires. If you witness your cat being burned, unplug or turn off any appliances before treating the cat to minimize any further danger to the animal or yourself.^{[1]
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Research source} If there is an open flame, extinguish it with a home fire extinguisher, baking soda, or non-flammable blanket and call the fire department.
2
Wrap your cat in a towel. Your cat may be frightened after the burn and try to bite you even though you are trying to help. Wrapping your cat gently in a towel calms and secures it so you can assess and treat the burn.^{[2]
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- Be careful not to rub any sensitive or burned areas with the towel, which can further damage the skin.
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3
Wrap a cool compress in a clean wet towel. Gently apply the cool compress to the area of your cat’s burn. Always wrap your compress in a clean wet towel to prevent it from sticking and protect any delicate skin.^{[3]
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- Ice will stick to any wounds causing further damage; don’t use it.
4
Avoid breaking any blisters that have formed as a result of the burn. Thermal burns can cause blisters of fluid to form on your cat’s skin. Opening these blisters can make your cat more prone to infection. Leave any blistering intact and let it heal naturally in due time.^{[4]
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- Do not apply any ointments to the wound. This can actually trap heat against the burned skin and cause further damage.
5
Transport your cat to the veterinarian. Place your cat in its carrier and take it to the veterinarian. The vet can assess the severity of the burn and outline a treatment plan. Use any medications or treatments your vet advises as directed.^{[5]
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6
Apply aloe to minor burns. If the burn is obviously very minor or your vet confirms that the burn is mild, it is safe to apply small amounts of aloe vera gel to the area daily.^{[6]
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Research source} This will soothe any discomfort and speed healing at home. Make sure your cat does not lick the aloe, as this could upset its stomach. Use an e-collar (cone collar) to keep the cat from licking the area if necessary.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Treating Chemical Burns

1
Remove any chemical contaminants from the area. Chemical burns are often caused by caustic household cleaning solutions or other strong chemicals. If you witness your cat playing with or ingesting something it shouldn’t, try to clean up the substance immediately to minimize any further risk^{[7]
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- If the substance might also be harmful to you, don rubber gloves and any other appropriate safety gear before handling the substance and the cat.^{[8]
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- If the burn is from a dry chemical, try to brush away as much as possible.^{[9]
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2
Wrap your cat in a towel. After the burn, your frightened cat may try to scratch or bite you even if that is not in its nature. Wrapping your cat in a towel calms and secures it so you can assess and treat the burn.^{[10]
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3
Hold the burned area under cold running water. If your cat has a burn from contact with a chemical substance rather than ingestion, run the affected area under cold running water. Try to soothe and talk to your cat to keep it calm while you do this.^{[11]
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- If your cat has gotten the chemical substance in its eyes, flush them with water or saline for 15-20 minutes to rinse away as much as possible.^{[12]
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4
Flush mouth burns with water. If the burned area is the mouth, flush with lots of water to limit possible damage.^{[13]
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Research source}If possible, try to hold the cat’s nose out of the stream of water as you flush so it can breathe easier and will be more tolerant of the water.
5
Collect the container of the chemical. Secure the container of the offending chemical (if you have it) by placing it in a leak-proof bag. Bring it to the veterinarian with you so they have as much information as possible about the source of the burn.^{[14]
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6
Take your cat to the veterinarian. Gently place your cat in its carrier and transport it to the veterinarian. Especially with chemical burns, time is of the essence. The vet can assess the severity of the burn and provide further advanced treatment as necessary.^{[15]
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- Your cat may need a feeding tube for a few days as chemical burns of the mouth may discourage it from eating and drinking properly.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Identifying the Type of Burn

1
Observe how long it take for symptoms to appear. If you do not witness the cat being burned, there are other clues that can help you determine what kind of burn your cat has incurred and how to treat it. Thermal burns are usually immediate, whereas chemical burns can take several hours to become obvious. Thermal burns, such as a cat walking on a hot stove, are also more common than chemical burns, such as ingesting household cleaner.^{[16]
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2
Note the color of the burn. Chemical burns usually cause a whitening of the surface layer of the skin. Thermal burns are more likely to look a like a darkening of your cat’s normal skin color.^{[17]
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- A thermal burn exception would be a sunburn, which causes a reddening of the skin, just as it does in humans. Severe sunburn in cats is abnormal because of the protection provided by their fur, but it can occur, especially in white, light-colored, and hairless cats. If your cat’s nose gets a bit too much sun, offer it plenty of water. The burn will fade in a few days.
3
Look for the location of the burn on your cat’s body. Chemical burns most often affect a cat’s tongue and esophagus.^{[18]
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Research source} Thermal burns are more likely to affect areas your cat uses to explore its environment, such as its paws.^{[19]
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