Even if it is your pet, if a cat is frightened and in pain, they are quite likely to bite. Knowing how to carefully muzzle them is important.
Human safety always comes first. However, you should never muzzle an animal that is:
- Overheated (as they will need to pant to cool)
- Having difficulty breathing
- Likely to vomit.
The following information shows you step by step how to create a comfortable and safe improvised muzzle for your pet.
Use a bandage, scarf, tie or other soft material
- Make a loop in the material
- Gently and carefully restrain your pet
- Stand behind them and swiftly and calmly secure the loop over their snout (muzzle)
- With a single knot on the top of their nose, secure the material around their snout to keep their mouth closed.
- Tie another knot under their chin and bring the ends back behind their ears.
- Secure the ends with a slipknot or bow behind the animal’s neck
- Always have quick access to scissors to ensure you are able to swiftly release the muzzleshould you need to do so.
An alternative to muzzling
You can also subdue a cat by gently dropping a towel on them, well above and behind them. Ensure you know the position of the cat as you drop the towel, to ensure you don’t put your hands near their mouth.
Grasp them by the scruff of their neck and wrap the towel around them completely encasing their paws, and just leaving their head exposed.
First Aid for Pets provides this information for guidance and it is not in any way a substitute for veterinary advice. The author does not accept any liability or responsibility for any inaccuracies or for any mistreatment or misdiagnosis of any person or animal, however caused. It is strongly advised that you attend a practical First Aid for Pets course or take our online course to understand what to do in a medical emergency.