My cat won't let his scab heal. How do I stop him from licking it?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 8 years old
My cat has a minor surface abrasion on left shoulder, just to the inside of his shoulder blade. He's had this about 2 weeks, I've been caring for this normally. He keeps licking it open again and will not let scab heal. No fever, lethargy, discharge or limping. Slight hair loss around site, as normal. Site is no more than half inch long, but is getting larger in girth as he opens the site. Was size of rice grain, now seems to be size of #2 pencil eraser. I just cant get it to heal.
4 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on July 9th, 2022
Hello, my name is Dr. Elizabeth and I am happy to help. I hate to hear this lesion on Patch is not healing. I think the main thing to address is the licking. The first thing you need to do is stop the licking (since this can make it worse). Patches should wear an elizabethan collar at all times. Remember that the collar must come out past her nose in order to be effective. Next, wear gloves to handle the lesion and be sure to wash your hands afterwards. Get pet wipes that contain Chlorhexidine. Cleanse the area twice a day. This will help to control the number of topical pathogens as well as remove oil and dead skin cells. Lastly, after the area is completely dry, apply a topical antibiotic twice a day. Just a dab will do and rub it in well. Neosporin is fine to use. Again, wear gloves or apply with a q-tip. Patches needs to be indoors at all times. Cats can't wear elizabethan collars outside as they are a choking hazard if they were to get hung up. She can only wear the collar if she is in a safe environment. If the spot is not much better in 1 week, if it gets worse at any point or if the lesion is not completely healed within 2 weeks, Patches needs to be examined by the veterinarian. I hope this helps and please feel free to reach out with any additional questions.
8Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
-
Published on February 20th, 2021
Hello. I am so sorry for your worries about Eartha Catt ( great name!!! ). It is very hard to tell what this might be from just a picture. It could be from a local irritation that caused her to abrade the skin, or just some other kind of dermatitis. Watch her to see if she is licking the area in a constant manner, or if the area seems to be getting bigger. I can't recommend putting anything on the skin because she will just lick it off, but you can try just dabbing the skin with a antiseptic like povidone iodine. You can get this at any pharmacy in the wound care section. Just use a small amount 2-3 times a day & see how the area does. If any additional redness or irritation develops, stop the povidone & please see your veterinarian at your earliest convenience. Thanks for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
-
Published on April 22nd, 2018
Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This looks like a focal infection. You can try to use a topical medication containing chlorhexidine twice weekly for 2 weeks. If there is no improvement or in the meantime this appears to be getting worse, have her evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Good luck and have a good one!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
-
Published on April 29th, 2018
Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This looks like a focal infection. You can try to use a medicated shampoo containing chlorhexidine twice weekly for 2 weeks. If there is no improvement or in the meantime this appears to be getting worse, have her evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Good luck and have a good night!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
My cat had a bout with fleas which are now gone but how do I get him from constantly licking at the sores left behind from the scratching so they can heal and his fur grow back?
My cat, who will be 20 in March, has had scabs on her heels/elbows, they were bleeding, she kept licking them. Wearing doggie socks (ends cut off) has helped , but they are healing slowly.
My kitten silver a Scottish fold has a bald spot she won’t stop licking its very raised and very sore to touch
Hi, Dr. Elizabeth! The lesion you saw on Leo's neck from my earlier answer is the one he can easily get to and scratch. I clean it and put Neosporin on it everyday and because he's able to scratch it it won't heal properly and stays inflamed. He has
Hi there, My cat has a cut/scrape on her inner leg. I noticed it 2 months ago but it was very small. Now it seems a lot bigger and more red with lots more hair loss around the cut. I see her constantly licking it. Maybe this is why it's not healing?
Hello, my cat has a small wound in her side. She is licking it a lot and will let us touch it, but it’s looking quite weepy and I’m just wondering if it needs stitches. It’s not bleeding, just weeping a very light pink, almost clear liquid. She meowe
My cat has a nickel-sized, open wound on his left-side, upper gluteous. I've cleaned the pus off of his fur and cleared away the damaged tissue, that he had licked and tore off. I lightly covered the wound with neosporin and temporarily put the cat i
My cat Oliver is a Siamese/Tabby mix and he has been compulsively licking/scratching himself for the past 2 weeks. He now has a nasty wound on his shoulder from scratching so much. I have hot spot spray which seems to help but the fact that he’s wet
Our cat got into a fight two weeks ago and got a large cut to the side of her face. She keep pulling her scab off and aggravating the wound. We have tried antispecrix spray for cats but this seems to have little effect. Is there any advice on whether
Hello,My cat(egzotic shorthair)scrabing unhealded wound around his neck,if you know what may cause problem.Our Veterinarians don’t know what wrong with him.Please give us advice thank you. we have tried everything but it doesn’t help.
Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.
