Cat Health & Safety

Cats that fight with other cats — whether it’s neighborhood cats outside or their housemates inside — are likely to develop a cat-bite abscess at some point in their life (or even at multiple points in their life). These abscesses appear as soft, “gushy” swellings on a cat’s skin and often take a few days to pop up. (And they can literally “pop” and ooze nasty pus … usually when your cat is sitting on your lap or laying on your bed, of course! Murphy’s Law.) Cat-bite abscesses are painful and commonly cause fever in addition to a decreased appetite and energy level. While you might be able to treat some abscesses at home, they typically heal best when treated by your vet.