Cat First Aid Basics: Bleeding, Fractures, Electrocution, and Drowning

Bleeding wounds: calm the cat, restrict movement, and inspect while wearing gloves. Press clean gauze firmly for five to ten minutes without lifting repeatedly. Never pull out an embedded object; stabilize it in place and go. Cat bites infect easily, so even a small puncture needs assessment.

Fractures and falls: do not straighten a suspected fracture. Splint with cardboard or a rolled towel across the joints above and below, and carry the cat on a rigid board. A cat that fell from height needs a vet even if it looks fine, since internal bleeding and diaphragm rupture can hide; keep it quiet and warm.

Electrocution and drowning: cut power or move the source with a dry wooden stick before touching the cat, then check for oral burns and go. After drowning, dry and warm the cat, clear the mouth and nose, and start CPR if there is no breathing or heartbeat, continuing until the vet takes over. First aid only buys time.