Neosporin is a great medication for humans to apply to their wounds to get instant relief from pain. Many cat owners also have a question: Can I put Neosporin on my cat’s wounds? Or is Neosporin safe for cats and dogs? The answer to this question is no in many cases, and today, in this article, we will discuss everything about this topic to remove all the doubts that you have.
What is Neosporin?
Neosporin ophthalmic is an antibiotic ointment for open wounds, cuts, and scrapes, providing faster healing and instant pain relief. If you are going on an adventure, this medicine needs to be the primary part of your first aid kit. There are no issues with using this medicine for humans as it is totally safe, but it is toxic to cats and most other pets.
Why is Neosporin harmful for cats?
Neosporin and Neosporin ophthalmic topical ointment are specially for humans, and they cause severe reactions in cats. The issue is not putting it on your cats’ wounds, but the issue is that cats lick themselves a lot to clean their coats, and especially if there is a wound, they will start licking more. Ingesting the chemicals available in Neosporin can cause many allergies in cats, which can affect their health very badly, and that’s why it is not good for use on them.
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Side Effects of Neosporin Use on Cats
As mentioned above, there are no general side effects of Neosporin on your cat, but if she licks it, there can be some major side effects. These depend upon the amount of ointment they have ingested. This is the reason why using Neosporin on the open wounds of cats or your pet is not suitable at all.
Neomycin is one of the active ingredients in Neosporin, and it is the one that you have to be concerned about the most. Ingesting it can cause major reactions in cats, such as diarrhea and vomiting, and reduce your cat’s appetite. It also contains Zinc, which can be really toxic if ingested in large amounts and can cause some fatal diseases and issues in cats.
Polymyxin B is another ingredient in Neosporin which can cause significant issues. Even consuming a small amount can cause anaphylaxis in cats, which is a life-threatening allergy in many cases. To prove that there are medicines that contain Polymyxin B, which is used on over 50 cats, the results show that almost half of them ended up getting allergic to anaphylaxis. All of them were cured, and there is no death in cats, but that doesn’t mean that Neosporin is approved for use, as some cats can be soft and can’t survive major allergies.
There are also many more pain relief chemicals in Neosporin that can be harmful, such as pramoxine hydrogen chloride. It is also available in some pet medicines, but that doesn’t mean that it is safe to ingest for your cat.
Alternatives to Neosporin?
Neosporin topical ointment is a common treatment for curing wounds, and it is safe for humans. However, it is not for use on cats, and if you are still looking to apply something to your cat’s wounds, there are no genuine alternatives. It is best to call your vet and consult a veterinarian to decide the right treatment for your cat.
Your Vet can recommend medicines suitable for cats, but make sure to clean the wound before applying any medications. If you still want to use Neosporin, you can do that as well, as the problem is when your cat ingests it by licking it. You can use an e-collar to prevent the licking from cats.
Conclusion
Using Neosporin in cats or for cats is not recommended, and it’s best to avoid it. It is effective in treating humans and is safe for humans as it helps to heal puncture wounds and removes pain, but cats are biologically different. Neosporin is a pet poison, especially for cats, and it is not approved for use on cats. As a pet owner, if you want to treat your cat’s wounds as quickly as possible, the best way is to consult with the vet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I not apply Neosporin to my cat’s wound?
Neosporin topical antibiotic is poison for pets and is not suitable for use in cats. Even small amounts of Neosporin can cause major problems in cats if ingested.
Which ointment can I put on a cat’s wound?
You can apply Antibiotic ointments or creams to your cat’s wound, such as Triple Antibiotic Ointment or Bacitracin. You can apply it directly and will prevent infection and speed up the healing process.
Is there an antibiotic ointment for cats?
Vetropolycin® Veterinary Ophthalmic Ointment, which contains Bacitracin, Neomycin, and Polymyxin, is a triple antibiotic ointment commonly suitable for cats. It is to treat bacterial infections affecting the eyelid and conjunctiva.
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