My cat has a hot spot. Can I safely use Benadryl cream on it?

Hi there and thank you for using pet coach to address your concern. I've not had much success using topical benadryl to relieve itching in dogs or cats. I recommend using malacetic conditioning spray. You can find this online quite easily. If that does not help, I would suggest having a vet take a look at saber as there are prescription options that will help more than the spray. If you are not using a flea preventative I would consider starting this as well. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.

Depending on where it is. I prefer cortisone cream and use a very thin film on the spot, and rub it in well. If your cat can lick the area you need to use a cone as it is not good for them to lick lot if it. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Boy.

I am sorry that Ali has a hotspot. I would recommend to give her 1/2 teaspoon of childrens liquid benadryl twice a day to help with the itching. You can use a small amount of hydrocortisone cream twice a day as well. The biggest key is to keep her from licking it so I would recommend to get an e-collar (the lampshade collar) for her to wear. Also, please know there is a good chance these remedies will not help her hot spot heal. If it isn't improving, I would strongly recommend contacting your vet for an exam and likely some oral antibiotics. I hope she starts to feel better soon!

In general this is not advisable since human products are not made to be ingested. Cat grooming themselves very frequently and thus are likely to get the product in their mouth. Most treatments for cats will be systemic. Otherwise the veterinarian will carry pet safe ointments and sprays. Most of these cats will also wear an Elizabethan collar to prevent licking. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Poor guy. This is what we call a "hot spot". This is an infection of the skin usually caused by some kind of trauma to the skin. You can try cleaning this with Betadine diluted 50:50 to help antiseptically clean the area. THen apply a "hot spot spray" from your local pet store. It must be labeeld safe for cats, since they do tend to lick and groom themselves often. IF this does not improve within 2-3 days however, I would suggest taking Anbuis to your vet for stronger antibiotics to help this clear up. Best of luck and I hope that Anubis's wound heals soon!

I’m sorry to hear about Budy! You’re right! This does look like a “hot spot” caused by allergies, pain, a poke/bite, or other. This could also be ringworm or other. They an erupt almost overnight due to licking and scratching. First, put an E-collar on her (and keep it on AT ALL TIMES). Then try a hot spot spray such as Rescue + Remedy Hot Spot Spray. Use as directed on the bottle. Both the cone and the spray can be found at PetCo or online at PetCo.com . If no improvement in 3 days, or if worsening at any time, it’s time to see the vet. Keep in mind that if it’s an underlying problem like fleas/flea bite reaction, or allergies, this may recur until you treat that problem. Best of luck to you and Budy!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is possibly due to allergies. A secondary infection is likely and also needs to be addressed. A topical is not likely to be of much help here. You could consider using an e-collar to prevent licking if that is currently an issue. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for environmental allergies which require blood and/or skin tests. Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with at first but so rewarding at the end when we are able to treat them effectively!