How to Remove a Hook from a Cat's Mouth
Restrain your cat., Check the point of insertion., Find a pair of wire cutters., Sterilize the wire cutters., Cut and remove the hook., Sterilize the wound, if possible., Seek veterinary help., Look for changes in eating habits., Check for mouth...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Restrain your cat.
If no one is available to help you, you'll need to wrap your cat in a large bath towel.
Make sure their tail and all four paws are securely inside.
Pin the towel closed with clothes pins.
Alternatively, you could use a cat restraint bag, which you can buy in any pet supply store.
Place the bag on the floor or other flat surface.
Put your cat in the middle of the bag and begin to pull the sides up around them.
Make sure their tail and all paws are securely inside the bag.
Close the zipper and secure the neck hole.If your cat fights back or runs away from you, don't make any further attempts to remove the hook.
Wait for them to calm down and take them to the vet. -
Step 2: Check the point of insertion.
If the hook is stuck in the lip and if the barb of the hook is visible, you may proceed with removal.
If you can't see the barb or if the hook is stuck inside the mouth or throat, take your cat to the vet immediately.
In these more severe instances, you could make a dangerous situation worse if you attempt to remove the hook yourself., Only wire cutters will work to remove a hook.
If you don't have wire cutters, leave the removal to your vet.
Never use scissors, a knife or any other sharp object.
They could make the injury worse., Pour some rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide on a cotton ball or sheet of toilet paper.
Wipe the blade of the wire cutters completely.
Allow the antiseptic to evaporate to avoid poisoning your cat or damaging the injured tissue., Use the wire cutters to snip the hook on the outside of the mouth.
Remove each piece.
DO NOT attempt to pull the hook in the opposite direction of where the barb is pointing.
You could deepen the wound and risk infection., If you have povidone, dilute it until it's the color of weak tea.
If you have chlorhexidine, dilute it until it's pale blue.You could also use sterile saline if you have access to that.
Soak a cotton ball or toilet paper with the solution and gently blot the wound.
You can buy these antiseptics over the counter at any drug store.
If you don't have these antiseptics, keep the wound clean with warm water and wait for the vet to sterilize it.
Avoid hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol.
They can damage the injured skin even further., Do this after you have removed the hook.
Don't wait to schedule an appointment.
Inform your vet of the emergency situation and ask if they can squeeze you in as soon as possible.
If it's after hours, call your vet's answering service.
If your vet doesn't operate after hours, take your cat to the nearest animal hospital immediately., Crunchy morsels of dry food can irritate open wounds in a cat's mouth.
An injured cat might also have trouble swallowing because the hook is obstructing access to their throat.
Because hook injuries happen suddenly, these symptoms arise out of the blue., Your cat might attempt to remove the hook or scratch the source of irritation.
Sometimes they'll use one or both front paws.
At other times, they might rub their lips or gums on the floor., Drooling in cats is always a sign of illness or injury.
When a foreign object like a hook gets stuck in the mouth, the body tries to remove it by producing excess saliva.
You can spot drooling by wet fur around your cat's mouth., Check the wound after each meal.
Gently brush or wipe away any remnants of food near it.
Monitor your cat's behavior and stop them if they try to paw at the wound or rub it on the floor.
Don't let your cat go outside until the wound is completely healed.
Foul odors, chafing, and excess bleeding are signs of infection or other abnormality.
If you notice any of these, contact your vet immediately., Your vet will prescribe antibiotics either to fight an existing infection or to prevent one from developing.
Follow the dosing instructions on the package.
Don't stop giving your cat their medicine at the first sign of improvement.
If the vet gives you a 10-day dosage, give the cat the medicine for the full 10 days., If the hook punctured your cat's gums or other areas inside the mouth, you'll probably have to avoid giving them dry food until the wound is completely healed.
Chewed food particles can tear stitches.
Your vet might prescribe prescription food for the healing period.
Make sure you follow the instructions to the letter. -
Step 3: Find a pair of wire cutters.
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Step 4: Sterilize the wire cutters.
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Step 5: Cut and remove the hook.
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Step 6: Sterilize the wound
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Step 7: if possible.
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Step 8: Seek veterinary help.
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Step 9: Look for changes in eating habits.
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Step 10: Check for mouth rubbing.
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Step 11: Look for drooling.
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Step 12: Keep the external stitches clean.
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Step 13: Provide the prescribed medicine.
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Step 14: Follow special dietary instructions.
Detailed Guide
If no one is available to help you, you'll need to wrap your cat in a large bath towel.
Make sure their tail and all four paws are securely inside.
Pin the towel closed with clothes pins.
Alternatively, you could use a cat restraint bag, which you can buy in any pet supply store.
Place the bag on the floor or other flat surface.
Put your cat in the middle of the bag and begin to pull the sides up around them.
Make sure their tail and all paws are securely inside the bag.
Close the zipper and secure the neck hole.If your cat fights back or runs away from you, don't make any further attempts to remove the hook.
Wait for them to calm down and take them to the vet.
If the hook is stuck in the lip and if the barb of the hook is visible, you may proceed with removal.
If you can't see the barb or if the hook is stuck inside the mouth or throat, take your cat to the vet immediately.
In these more severe instances, you could make a dangerous situation worse if you attempt to remove the hook yourself., Only wire cutters will work to remove a hook.
If you don't have wire cutters, leave the removal to your vet.
Never use scissors, a knife or any other sharp object.
They could make the injury worse., Pour some rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide on a cotton ball or sheet of toilet paper.
Wipe the blade of the wire cutters completely.
Allow the antiseptic to evaporate to avoid poisoning your cat or damaging the injured tissue., Use the wire cutters to snip the hook on the outside of the mouth.
Remove each piece.
DO NOT attempt to pull the hook in the opposite direction of where the barb is pointing.
You could deepen the wound and risk infection., If you have povidone, dilute it until it's the color of weak tea.
If you have chlorhexidine, dilute it until it's pale blue.You could also use sterile saline if you have access to that.
Soak a cotton ball or toilet paper with the solution and gently blot the wound.
You can buy these antiseptics over the counter at any drug store.
If you don't have these antiseptics, keep the wound clean with warm water and wait for the vet to sterilize it.
Avoid hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol.
They can damage the injured skin even further., Do this after you have removed the hook.
Don't wait to schedule an appointment.
Inform your vet of the emergency situation and ask if they can squeeze you in as soon as possible.
If it's after hours, call your vet's answering service.
If your vet doesn't operate after hours, take your cat to the nearest animal hospital immediately., Crunchy morsels of dry food can irritate open wounds in a cat's mouth.
An injured cat might also have trouble swallowing because the hook is obstructing access to their throat.
Because hook injuries happen suddenly, these symptoms arise out of the blue., Your cat might attempt to remove the hook or scratch the source of irritation.
Sometimes they'll use one or both front paws.
At other times, they might rub their lips or gums on the floor., Drooling in cats is always a sign of illness or injury.
When a foreign object like a hook gets stuck in the mouth, the body tries to remove it by producing excess saliva.
You can spot drooling by wet fur around your cat's mouth., Check the wound after each meal.
Gently brush or wipe away any remnants of food near it.
Monitor your cat's behavior and stop them if they try to paw at the wound or rub it on the floor.
Don't let your cat go outside until the wound is completely healed.
Foul odors, chafing, and excess bleeding are signs of infection or other abnormality.
If you notice any of these, contact your vet immediately., Your vet will prescribe antibiotics either to fight an existing infection or to prevent one from developing.
Follow the dosing instructions on the package.
Don't stop giving your cat their medicine at the first sign of improvement.
If the vet gives you a 10-day dosage, give the cat the medicine for the full 10 days., If the hook punctured your cat's gums or other areas inside the mouth, you'll probably have to avoid giving them dry food until the wound is completely healed.
Chewed food particles can tear stitches.
Your vet might prescribe prescription food for the healing period.
Make sure you follow the instructions to the letter.
About the Author
Christopher Gibson
Professional writer focused on creating easy-to-follow creative arts tutorials.
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