It’s 11:40 p.m., your cat limps into the hallway, and there’s a smear of blood you didn’t expect to see. Cats are masters at hiding pain and can look “okay” even with serious injuries. That’s why a few smart moves before you phone the on‑call veterinarian can buy precious minutes, prevent complications, and make that call dramatically more effective. You’ll learn how to quickly check your cat’s airway, breathing, and circulation, what you can safely do at home, what to avoid, and the exact details vets want first. This is practical, calm triage—not guesswork—so you don’t freeze when it matters. I’ve been the person standing over a scared, hurt cat at midnight; having a plan made a real difference.
Quick Answer
First, make the area safe, gently contain your cat with a towel, and check airway, breathing, and circulation. Apply firm pressure to any bleeding for 5–10 minutes, note the injury details, measure basics (gum color, respiratory rate 20–30 breaths/minute, heart rate 140–220 bpm), and avoid giving any human medication. Then call the on‑call vet with a concise summary and prepare a carrier for immediate transport.
Why This Matters
Emergencies don’t wait for business hours, and cats rarely show you how bad they feel. A calm, structured approach before calling a vet can reduce blood loss, prevent shock, and give the professional the information they need to triage fast. Minutes matter: uncontrolled bleeding, breathing problems, and internal injuries can escalate quickly. Even an indoor cat can fall from a balcony, tangle with a dog, or catch a paw in furniture.
Consider two scenarios. A cat struck by a car might look only scraped but have internal bleeding; noting pale gums and a rapid breathing rate can push a vet to say “come now.” Or a cat with a torn nail can bleed impressively but stop with 10 minutes of direct pressure—saving a frantic drive. The difference is knowing what’s urgent and what you can stabilize. Calling with vital signs, the mechanism of injury, and what’s already been done often shortens time to treatment and reduces complications. The goal isn’t to play vet—it’s to safeguard your cat until a professional takes over.
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Make the scene safe and contain your cat
Remove other pets and hazards, turn down loud noise, and close doors to prevent escape. Injured cats can bite from fear; wear gloves if you have them. Use a large towel or blanket to make a gentle “burrito,” leaving the nose/mouth exposed, to protect yourself and to calm your cat without restricting breathing. You might find what to do before calling a veterinarian on call for a cat injury kit helpful.
- Keep the cat on a flat, stable surface.
- Avoid handling the neck or twisting the spine if trauma is suspected.
- Warmth matters: cover lightly if your cat feels cool.
Step 2: Quick triage—airway, breathing, circulation (ABCs)
Check that the airway is clear (no visible obstruction). Watch the chest for breathing; normal resting rate is roughly 20–30 breaths per minute. Labored breathing, open-mouth breathing, or blue/grey gums are emergencies. Assess circulation: gum color should be pink, and capillary refill time (press gum, release) is ideally 1–2 seconds.
- Bleeding: Apply firm, direct pressure with clean gauze or a cloth for 5–10 minutes without peeking.
- Tourniquets are a last resort for severe limb bleeding only and should be loose, temporary, and monitored; avoid if unsure.
- Note behavior changes: collapse, extreme lethargy, or confusion suggest shock.
Step 3: Stabilize what you safely can
For minor superficial wounds, rinse with sterile saline (0.9%) if available; avoid hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, and ointments—these can delay healing or be toxic. Do not attempt to set or splint suspected fractures; confine your cat to a carrier to limit movement. Avoid food or water until a vet advises—anesthesia may be needed.
- Keep pressure on bleeding; replace soaked gauze but don’t remove clots repeatedly.
- If a nail is torn, steady pressure and a styptic powder (safe for pets) may help; avoid caustic products on deep wounds.
Step 4: Gather facts for the vet
Write down the time and mechanism of injury (fall, car, bite, glass). Note what you’ve already done and anything ingested (cleaners, plants, rodenticide). Measure what you can: breathing rate, gum color, and heart rate (count pulses at the inner thigh for 15 seconds and multiply by 4; normal is roughly 140–220 beats per minute). If your cat tolerates it, rectal temperature should be around 100.5–102.5°F. You might find what to do before calling a veterinarian on call for a cat injury tool helpful.
- Take clear photos of the injury.
- List medical history: age, medications, allergies, vaccine status.
- Have toxin packaging ready if exposure is suspected.
Step 5: Prepare for transport and call
Line a carrier with a towel, keep your cat warm, and minimize movement. Then call the on‑call veterinarian. Be concise: “Male neutered cat, 4 years old, fell from a balcony 20 minutes ago, breathing 40/min, gums pale, bleeding from front paw controlled with pressure.” Ask for immediate directions and estimated arrival time.
- Do not give human pain meds or sedatives.
- Follow specific instructions on whether to come straight in or continue first aid.
Step 6: Know the red flags that bypass waiting
Go now if you see uncontrolled bleeding, labored/open‑mouth breathing, collapse, seizures, severe pain (crying, not moving, aggression), obvious deformity or open fracture, unequal pupils/head trauma, or a male cat straining to urinate without producing urine. These are time‑critical and shouldn’t wait for phone advice. You might find what to do before calling a veterinarian on call for a cat injury equipment helpful.
Expert Insights
Veterinary teams want you safe, your cat contained, and a clear snapshot of the situation. A frequent misconception: a purring cat isn’t necessarily comfortable—cats often purr when stressed or in pain. Another: “He stopped bleeding, so he’s fine.” Slow internal bleeding doesn’t leave obvious pools; pale gums, rising breathing rate, and lethargy tell the real story.
Pain medications are a minefield. Acetaminophen (paracetamol) is highly toxic to cats—one 500 mg tablet can be lethal. Ibuprofen and naproxen can cause ulcers and kidney failure. Even aspirin requires precise veterinary dosing and timing. If you’re reaching for your medicine cabinet, stop and call instead.
Pro tips from the treatment room: count breaths for 30 seconds and double it—accuracy matters when you’re anxious. Use a pillowcase or towel to make a quick, secure burrito wrap without covering the face. If you suspect a spinal injury, slide a thin cutting board or baking sheet under the cat to move as a unit. Bring the packaging of any suspected toxin; it can change the treatment plan immediately.
Lastly, don’t be embarrassed to say “I don’t know.” Honest uncertainty beats guesses—vets use your observations to triage fast and safely.
Quick Checklist
- Secure the room and remove other pets and hazards
- Gently towel-wrap your cat to prevent panic and bites
- Check airway, breathing (20–30/min), and gum color (pink)
- Apply firm pressure to bleeding for 5–10 minutes
- Note time, mechanism of injury, and anything ingested
- Measure heart rate (140–220 bpm) and capillary refill (1–2 seconds)
- Avoid human medications, peroxide, and alcohol on wounds
- Prepare carrier, keep warm, and call the on‑call vet with a concise summary
Recommended Tools
Recommended Tools for what to do before calling a veterinarian on call for a cat injury
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my cat’s injury is urgent or can wait until morning?
If there’s labored or open‑mouth breathing, uncontrolled bleeding, collapse, seizures, severe pain, obvious deformity/open fracture, head trauma, or pale/blue gums, treat it as urgent and go now. A male cat straining to urinate without producing urine is an emergency that can become life‑threatening within hours. Minor superficial cuts you can control with pressure may be monitored briefly while you call for guidance.
Can I give my cat pain medication before I talk to the vet?
No. Acetaminophen can be fatal to cats even at small doses, and ibuprofen or naproxen can cause stomach ulcers and kidney damage. Never give human painkillers or sedatives. Only administer medications specifically prescribed for your cat by a veterinarian, and confirm dosing in an emergency call.
What’s the safest way to move an injured cat?
Use a towel or pillowcase to gently wrap and contain the cat, keeping the face unobstructed. Support the body evenly; if spinal injury is possible, slide a rigid surface (baking sheet, cutting board) under the cat and keep the spine neutral. Place the cat into a padded carrier to limit movement and maintain warmth.
What information should I have ready when I call the on‑call vet?
Give age, sex, and health history, what happened and when, visible injuries, bleeding control attempts, gum color, breathing rate, and heart rate if you measured it. Mention any possible toxin exposure and bring the product packaging. State what you’ve done so far and if your cat has eaten or taken any medication.
What do I use to clean a small wound safely at home?
Rinse with sterile saline (0.9%) if you have it, or clean water in a pinch. Avoid hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, and ointments unless a vet instructs you—these can damage tissue or be harmful if ingested. Pat dry, apply gentle pressure if bleeding persists, and seek advice on whether the wound needs suturing.
What if bleeding doesn’t stop after pressure?
Maintain firm, continuous pressure for a full 10 minutes without checking repeatedly. If bleeding still soaks through, add more layers on top and keep pressing. Persistent or spurting bleeding, bleeding associated with a deep or gaping wound, or bleeding plus pale gums warrants immediate transport.
My cat fell and seems okay—could there still be internal injury?
Yes. Cats can hide pain and compensate until they suddenly worsen. Watch for increased breathing rate, effort, pale gums, lethargy, abdominal pain, or vomiting. Note the height of the fall and surface; high‑rise syndrome can cause chest or abdominal trauma even when external injuries look minor.
Conclusion
Small, decisive actions before calling the on‑call veterinarian make a big difference: contain your cat, check airway and breathing, control bleeding, and gather clear facts. Skip the medicine cabinet, record basic vitals, and prepare for transport while you phone in a concise summary. If red flags appear—trouble breathing, uncontrolled bleeding, collapse—go immediately. You’ve got the plan and the tools; stay calm, act with purpose, and get your cat the care they need.
Related: For comprehensive information about Ask A Veterinarian , visit our main guide.