Veterinarian-written / veterinarian-approved articles for your cat.

First Aid for Chemical Burns in Cats

Cats splashed with chemicals need first aid.

Chemical burns in cats occur when household chemicals like cleaners are ingested, spill onto, or are walked on by the cat.

What to Do if You Know Your Cat Drank a Chemical

If you see your cat licking a chemical or can be reasonably sure that she did so, remove the product from her reach and contact your veterinarian immediately.

If the ingested chemical is corrosive, you may try to rinse out your cat's mouth with tap water, but you will need to use a syringe to do so.

You may also call the Pet Poison Helpline at 1-855-764-7661 with the product information to get further first aid instructions for that particular chemical.

What to Do If Your Cat's Skin Comes into Contact with a Chemical

  • First, remove the chemical from the area.
  • Next, flush the area of your cat's skin or fur that has the chemical on it with copious amounts of water for 5-10 minutes. If possible, call your veterinarian or the Pet Poison Helpline while you are doing this.
  • If there is a visible burn on your cat's skin, pat the area dry after flushing with water, and cover it loosely with gauze, taped in place.
  • Contact your veterinarian if you haven't already.

You can learn more about common cat emergencies and what to do about them here: "First Aid for Cats: An Overview."

You May Also Like These Articles:

How to Properly Pet a Cat

How To Take Your Cat To The Vet

How Do I Get My Cat into a Carrier?

Reduce Pet Scratching Damage While Traveling

Car Sickness in Cats

Choosing A Cat Carrier

Why Should I Take My Cat to the Vet?

Cat Not Using Litter Box? Inappropriate Urination in Cats

Disclaimer: This website is not intended to replace professional consultation, diagnosis, or treatment by a licensed veterinarian. If you require any veterinary related advice, contact your veterinarian promptly. Information at CatHealth.com is exclusively of a general reference nature. Do not disregard veterinary advice or delay treatment as a result of accessing information at this site. Just Answer is an external service not affiliated with CatHealth.com.

Notice: Ask-a-Vet is an affiliated service for those who wish to speak with a veterinary professional about their pet's specific condition. Initially, a bot will ask questions to determine the general nature of your concern. Then, you will be transferred to a human. There is a charge for the service if you choose to connect to a veterinarian. Ask-a-Vet is not manned by the staff or owners of CatHealth.com, and the advice given should not delay or replace a visit to your veterinarian.