Cats are extremely territorial, and that’s the main reason why a lot of them end up in fights with other kitties or even other animals.
Fight wounds can result in infections as they rapidly seal over and trap all the bacteria inside – your cat can develop a fever and become lethargic. Kitties can also go into shock after a fight or develop post-traumatic stress disorder.
Why Cat Not Feeling Well After Fight?
The main reason why your cat might be feeling bad after a fight is because the other animal had bitten your pet. Fight wounds can sometimes lead to infections, and they should be treated as soon as possible.
Sharp canine teeth can relatively easily puncture the skin. This puncture will result in a tiny but deep wound.
The wound will rapidly seal over in a cat, but that’s not a good thing – various bacteria can get trapped under the skin and start multiplying. Many infections go unnoticed for days simply because the owners didn’t notice the initial puncture.
Read: Why Cat on Diet Won’t Stop Meowing?
Why Is My Cat Acting Weird After a Cat Fight?
Your cat will certainly be stressed out after a fight and that can make it act weird for a few days.
However, the kitty might also be behaving strangely, if it had caught an infection. A cat with a puncture wound can:
- Become lethargic
- Develop a fever
- Limp (if the leg was bitten)
- Excessively groom the injured area
Can Cats Get Sick After a Fight?
If left untreated, fight wounds can be extremely dangerous.
After a few days, pain and swelling at the injured site will develop (the cat will, most likely, be suffering from a fever, at this point). Depending on the punctured area, either an abscess or cellulitis will form.
An infection is already a serious issue on its own, but it can also result in the following complications:
- Septic arthritis
- Osteomyelitis
- Pyothorax
Bear in mind that such infections as feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia virus can be transmitted through the bite wound.
Read: Why Does My Cat Smell Bad All of a Sudden?
Do Cats Go into Shock After a Fight?
A cat can go into shock after a fight, if it had lost a significant amount of blood or if it has developed a serious bacterial infection.
The main symptoms of shock in cats include:
- Discolored gums
- Disorientation
- Lethargy
- Vomiting/diarrhea
- Hypothermia
- Depression
- Seizures
- Shallow or rapid breathing, weak and/or rapid pulse
- Loss of consciousness
How Do Injured Cats Behave?
If the kitty is in pain, then you might notice the following signs:
- Lethargy
- Reduced appetite
- Hiding
- No interest in playing
- Showing extreme sensitivity to touch
- Reduction in activity
- Increased irritability
- Strange vocalizations
- Decreased grooming or increased licking of a certain area
Read: Why Does My Cat Grunt When I Pet Him?
Can a Cat Be Traumatized After Being Attacked?
It has been proven that any traumatic event can impact a cat’s psychological health. Just like humans, pets can suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
After being attacked, the kitty can be shaking, showing aggression, or trying to hide. This is a normal emotional response and the poor thing is going to need some time to recover from the event.
Make sure that the kitty doesn’t have any injuries and show the fluffy ball some extra love (but don’t be too persistent, if it just wants to hide). In case the symptoms did not fade away in a few days, you might want to consider taking the little guy to the vet.
If the cat is in shock, you should take it to the veterinarian straight away.
How Long Does Cat Shock Last?
The kitties that are recovering from shock would usually have to stay in the hospital for several days.
After leaving the hospital, the cat might be prescribed special medication that should be taken for around 2 weeks, in some cases.
When Should I Take My Cat to the Vet After a Fight?
Of course, taking your cat to the vet every time it gets into a fight is not necessary (especially, if you have more than one pet).
However, if you have noticed symptoms of shock or infection (fever, lethargy, pain swelling), then you should call a veterinarian immediately. It goes without saying that a cat should be taken to the vet if it has a serious wound or injury.
How Do I Help My Cat After a Fight?
Take the kitty indoors, if it has been outside. Do not give the little guy too much hands-on attention at the moment as the cat might still have a lot of excess energy left.
Pay close attention to how the kitty is acting. Access the damage as soon as your cat allows you to get close.
Read: Why Does My Cat Hiss at Me When I Pick Her Up?
What to Do After a Cat Fight?
- 0-30 minutes in – access the damage; check the kitty’s body, look for bite wounds and make sure that the cat is not suffering from a serious internal injury (the symptoms include limping, favoring one side over the other, and trouble breathing).
- 30-60 minutes in – if your cat only has a few bite wounds, ensure that you can easily stop the bleeding and that you can’t see muscle or tissue through the skin.
- 60-120 minutes in – call your vet in any case and let the expert know what’s going on; the veterinarian might schedule an immediate appointment or simply ask you to carefully watch the wounds for about a week.
How to Treat a Cat Bite on a Cat?
If you know that your cat has been bitten, then the best thing to do is to take the little guy to the vet as soon as possible. The wound has to be treated with antibiotics in the next 24 hours, only in such a case, you’ll be able to prevent the development of an infection.
Cat Fight Wounds Home Treatment
- Try to stop the bleeding by applying direct pressure with an absorbent dressing
- Apply a layer of bandage material
- Transport the little guy to the veterinary clinic
- Raise the injured area above the heart’s level, if possible
- The vet will provide you with further instructions (typically, you would have to clean the wound 2-3 times per day)
Can Cats Heal Themselves?
A cat’s body can certainly heal itself, especially, if we’re talking about minor wounds. Usually, a small injury will heal without human intervention, but make sure to keep an eye on the wound.
Do Cats Get Depressed After Losing a Fight?
The cat can’t really get depressed as it doesn’t necessarily understand that the fight was lost.
However, the fluffy ball can suffer from pain (if the cat was injured) and can develop a post-traumatic stress disorder, if the fight was a serious one.
How Tell If a Cat Is in Pain?
As kitties can’t speak, it is extremely challenging to assess the level of pain that the fluffy ball is experiencing. That’s why vets use the Glasgow Feline Composite Measure Pain Scale – this scale is reliable and can be applied quickly.
Read: Why Does My Cat Make Biscuits?
Will Cats Eat If They Are in Pain?
Cats that are in pain usually eat and drink less or stop eating altogether.
How Do Cats Sit When They Are in Pain?
If a kitty is experiencing pain, it might sit still and hunch up.
What Can I Give My Cat for Pain at Home?
Pain medications for your kitty should only be prescribed by a vet. You should not give the cat human painkillers unless your vet told you so.
