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Why is my cat's matted face wound not healing with peroxide?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Maine Coon | Female | spayed | 5 years and 3 months old | 9 lbs

She has a matted fur scab on her face, not sure where it came from. We shave off the fur in the area but now it turned so hard & too close to the skin so we cannot cut it off. We washed it with hydrogen peroxide everyday and put neosporin on it but not working. She cringe a bit when we clean it. She is wearing a cone to prevent from scratching it. She has it near her temples before but it healed with our same treatment. Her life style is same, normal food, poop. Please advice thanks.

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on December 14th, 2016

I would stop cleaning Moon Moon's sore with hydrogen peroxide. That's because it can actually damage tissues and interrupt the healing process. It is concerning that it's not healing, and the hydrogen peroxide could be part of the problem with it not healing. I would also refrain from putting Neosporin on it. Although quite safe on superficial wounds, cats groom and ingest most of the topical ointment you apply and therefore should be used only under direct veterinary supervision and if there are no other appropriate options. Many human ointments contain multiple other ingredients which are not necessarily safe to be swallowed. I think it would be a good idea to take her into the vet to have her wound examined. The vet can clean the cut, and may prescribe an antibiotic to help it heal if it's infected.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on May 16th, 2018
You are welcome! I'd just use dawn dish soap, it's gentle on the skin. I would not use hydrogen peroxide, it can damage tissues and interrupt the healing process. You can see if your vet can give you some chlorhexadine to clean the area, or pick up a cat safe antiseptic soap from the pet store. Best of luck, I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Elizabeth
Veterinarian
Published on April 1st, 2019
Poor Jasper! You can use peroxide to clean the wound once but then you should not use it anymore as it will damage the new cells as it heals. You can also wash the wound with soap and water and make sure to rinse well. Jasper should wear an Elizabethan collar to make sure he does not lick the wound as this will make it worse.
Pharmacy law does not allow online veterinarians to discuss using human medications for pets. I recommend to call your veterinarian and discuss this option. Also make sure to monitor very closely for worsening of the wound. Cats can get abscesses that generally need antibiotic therapy. Best of luck and please feel free to post any additional questions.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Amy S. Eutsey, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on June 13th, 2018
Hello. It is a bit difficult to see the wound clearly due to what appears to be ointment all over it, but this looks like a pretty severe infection. Even though you are using peroxide and ointment, infections of the skin almost always require an oral antibiotic. Selene should see a veterinarian to have this looked at. It may need debridement and a proper antibiotic can be prescribed. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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Unfortunately hydrogen peroxide doesn't help pets with any type of skin condition. In fact we don't use it for any wounds because it can potentially cause cell necrosis (dying off of normal tissue). This appears to be a deep infection, which is likely why it hasn't healed well for you. You can try cleaning it with Betadine diluted 50:50 with warm water and the hair needs to be shaved around this to allow the skin to breathe and heal well. I would not place Neosporin on a wound like this, because it likely won't help. You may be able to find a hot spot spray at your local pet store that can be used. However, there is a good chance this won't heal without the help of your vet, who has stronger oral antibiotics and topical medical sprays to take care of this properly. I would schedule an appt if the Betadine and clip are not able to improve this area well within the next few days. Best wishes getting Murphy's skin to heal. Take care.

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These sound like wounds from being in a bad fight with another cat. It’s best to have these treated by your veterinarian if you can. In the meantime clean each wound with hydrogen peroxide and then apply a thin film of antibacterial ointment on them. I’m concerned about the ones around his anus. There may be a tear in the rectum that may be very serious and need a veterinary exam to determine if the feces are coming out the wound. If so this could cause more infection and may need to be stitched closed. Antibiotics will help these wounds heal more quickly also. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Moldy.

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No, it does not really look infected. Peroxide is only good after the initial injury - after that, if you continue to use it, it will delay healing. I suggest you use this spray gel on it instead: https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/vetericyn-antimicrobial-feline-facial-therapy-for-cats His left eye also looks weepy so I think you should get this eye gel too:

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