Two simple facts sum up this entire process: Cats hate water. Cats are not gracious when you bathe them. For the most part cats are capable of attending to their own hygiene and keep up a regular cleansing routine to maintain their fur in a good clean condition. There may be times however during your cat’s life when they are unable to do this for one reason or another, or when they need a little extra help, for example if they have a skin condition or flea problem that requires a special shampoo to solve the problem. This is not an enviable position to be in, but if the situation a... [continue reading]

Cats are well known to ‘get under the feet’ of their owners. This is especially likely when owners are carrying good-smelling things from cooker to table. The owner stumbles over the cat and, if hot liquid foods are being carried, the cat very likely will be scalded. Treatment of scalds must be immediate, no delay. If treated immediately scald scars do not develop. Long-haired cats needs to be clipped in the area of the scald so that the dressing being used can reach the skin. Treatment The best-ever for scalds is one I learnt in Spain and it consists of vinegar and honey (the two ... [continue reading]

With the exception of some dangerous forms of bleeding, which I shall now describe, follow the exact treatments described for wounds. Treatment Very heavy bleeding from accident wounds: If you are fortunate enough to have available sage plants, pull several handfuls from the sage, crush the herb in your hands and press over the wounds: this is how Spanish hunters treat heavy bleeding, a method which I have used with much success on myself and many types of animals. Another wonderful wound herb is sphagnum moss, and a supply should be kept in every home for emergency use on people as well as fo... [continue reading]

Cats are prone to splinters because they are such active climbers, and will also go into thorny places when hunting prey, and in the home they are constantly using their claws on woody objects. With splinters it is a case of like cures like. Treatment Make a strong brew of hawthorn or blackthorn twigs, and apply this hot to the place of the splinter. Apply the thorn brew, hot, frequently during the day, or for several days, until the area has softened and the splinter has surfaced. Then remove the splinter, using a thick needle end to prise it out of the flesh, having boiled the needle point t... [continue reading]

Wounds in cats usually occur from fights, or from being cut by sharp twigs when tree-climbing, or from becoming entangled in barbed-wire fencing. Treatment Rosemary herb, leaves and flowers, is the specific treatment for all types of wound. It is a natural disinfectant and a speedy healer. I have treated truly dreadful wounds in all types of animals, merely by frequent bathing with a strong brew of rosemary. One handful of rosemary herb, cut finely, to one pint of cold water. Lid over the pan, heat slowly, allow to boil for a few minutes as it is for external use. With the lid still on, allow... [continue reading]

Abscesses can occur on any part of a cat’s body, also between the toes, where they are called interdigital cysts. Cats are likely to get more abscesses than are dogs, as they are more likely to get into fights (the males). Their fine claws scratch their opponents, the scratches close up, holding inside them any dirt which may have entered, inflammation and then abscesses result. Thorns and other matter from wild plants also easily enter the fine skin of cats and result in abscesses. Treatment Hot fomentation with a brew of blackberry leaves or elder leaves or blossom. Apply the brew as ... [continue reading]

Author: Karyn Siegel-Maier – http://www.herbalmusings.com/ Skin is truly a remarkable feat of biological engineering. Consider for a moment that a single square inch of human skin harbors 19 feet of blood vessels, 19 million cells, 65 hairs, 625 sweat glands and at least 90 oil glands. Equipped with all of these sensors, the skin works around the clock to shield us from invading bacteria, regulate body temperature, remove toxins and provide a glove-fitting waterproof covering for our fragile bodies. Skin is not only an amazing instrument for people, but is the first line of defense for o... [continue reading]

Ringworm is a very common form of skin disease that is found in both dogs and cats. Although its name makes you think otherwise, this skin disease isn’t caused by any type of worm. It’s actually caused by fungi known as Dermatophytes that feed on dead tissues found in the surface of the skin, spreading them around the skin of the animal. With cats, there is a certain type of fungi known as M Canis that is found with nearly 95% of all ringworm cases. Normally, cats will get the ringworm disease from contaminated objects like bedding, clippers, or another animal that already has the disea... [continue reading]

Put 1 drop of Tea Tree on the abscess. Then when the pus is discharged, put on 1 drop of Lavender. Clean with sat water. From “The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy” by Valerie Ann Worwood ... [continue reading]

Even though we do not spontaneously associate a particular body function with skin, it plays a significant role in the various functions of a mammalian body. Skin, the largest organ of the body safeguards the internal organs and muscles and protects your cat’s body against external pathogens. The hair coat is a part of the skin, which is composed of layers of epithelial tissue, blood vessels, hair follicles and sebaceous glands. It is also one of the most vulnerable of all organs. A cat’s skin can be damaged in a number of ways. * Injury, especially during fighting with other cats. * Eros... [continue reading]