LITTLE ROCK — I’ve been told I can use olive oil to clean my cat’s ears. He’s an indoor/outdoor cat and sometimes he has grit in his ears. I’ve tried it and it works great. Now I’m interested in other “natural” things or food-type products that might be safe for my cat. Any ideas?
For other home “remedies” or natural items useful for basic cat care, you can look no further than your kitchen cabinet, although be wary of using just anything on your cat.
Baking soda and salt as well as olive or vegetable oil are mild and safe additions to a pet first-aid kit, says veterinarian Tina Wismer, medical director of the American Association for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal’s Animal Poison Control Center.
But she cautions in an article in the July issue of Cat Fancy that pet owners must to be careful when using any “natural cure” on a cat because cats don’t have the enzymes needed to break down “essential oils and other natural remedies.” Also, natural remedies aren’t a substitute for veterinary care.
If your cat is injured or ill, your first action should be to call the vet. But for some minor issues, baking soda, salt and oil are safe for topical application — meaning your cat shouldn’t ingest them.
Baking soda can be used if your cat is stung by a bee or a wasp. Just remove the stinger with tweezers, then wash the area with a solution of one teaspoon of baking soda mixed with one cup of water. Next, apply an ice pack to the area. (If your cat has an allergic reaction to the sting, take her to the vet immediately.)
A note of caution about vinegar: the Animal Poison Control website (tinyurl.com/ 9fc9tye) says if you use a solution of vinegar and water for home cleaning, such as when scrubbing the bathtub, rinse the cleaned surface thoroughly. Many cats like to lick moisture from bathtub surfaces so you want to make sure there are no traces of vinegar left after cleaning because ingesting vinegar could cause mild gastrointestinal upset.
Salt can be used to treat swollen abscesses or other wounds caused when cats get into fights. Mix one teaspoon of salt into one cup of water; with clean hands or wearing gloves, bathe the wound frequently. Use a sterile gauze pad to apply the solution.
“After a day or so, the salt solution should bring abscesses to a head that will burst, releasing pus and relieving your cat’s discomfort.” Afterward, continue bathing the wound several times a day to keep it free of pus and debris so the abscess doesn’t re-form. Watch for signs of infection (fever and redness, lack of healing); if you suspect infection, call your veterinarian immediately. An infection requires treatment with antibiotics.
Olive or vegetable oil can be used to remove dirt and debris from your cat’s ears or eyes. For eyes, hold the cat’s eye open (you may need to have someone else hold the cat while you do this) and apply a drop of oil. Wipe away the oil with a gauze pad when the debris settles in the corner of the cat’s eye.
Clean a cat’s ears by applying a drop or two of oil into the ears, then gently wipe away the excess with a sterile gauze pad or cotton ball. Don’t use cotton swabs or anything sharp near your cat’s eyes and ears.
Oil also is useful for removing gum, glue or tar if it gets stuck in your cat’s fur. Massage a small amount of oil into the fur to soften and remove any gunk, then remove anything remaining by washing the area with a mild shampoo formulated for cats.
Do you have a question about pets? We’ll get you an answer from an authority. Send your question to Rhonda Owen, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, Ark. 72203 or e-mail
Family, Pages 34 on 09/26/2012