My Cat's ear has ripped - what do I do?

The ear is not an unusual spot for a cat to damage. It's easily torn, but hard to repair cosmetically. As long as it's not infected, there's really not much to do, especially since it's already begun to heal. I have a few cats with "battle scars" and they are no worse for the wear...and I agree that cats need to be outside as much as they are inside (mine are ALWAYS on the wrong side of the door). They come and go as they please, and they are good about coming for the night. As for your cat's ear, as long as it's not impairing her hearing in any way, and it's not infected, there's nothing to worry about....now she just has something new to tell her buddies about.

Cat Ear Injury

If you're worried, get it checked at the vet. Otherwise bathe it in warm salty water, or maybe even some diluted dettol or simliar antiseptic.

As for the indoor/outdoor cat debate. Cats can be kept inside with no detriment to their health. Most councils in Aust have a curfews, which run from dusk til dawn. However some councils are now changing to a 24 hour curfew, meaning that if your cat leaves your property, people can trap it and send it to the pound. With the funky cat enclosures and containment systems around nowadays, it is easier to find a safe way for your felines to spend time in the outdoors.

Such injuries are common and they cannot be stitched back together successfully. The areas of the ear flap above the beginning of the tear, are likely to die due to lack of adequate blood supply and also either slough off or need to be clipped off (because dead tissue of any size left to rot and slough off on its own, is an open invitation to serious infection.)

My suggestion is to have the vet check your cat and advise you on whether to trim off the pieces of the ear above the bottom of the tear. The vet can also check the wound to make sure its not becoming infected. Infection is always a likely possibility when a cat is injured by another animal.

The best thing you can do for your cat is to get it spay/neutered, they will be healthier. Another good thing to do is to keep your cat inside for it is safer and will live longer.

Cats are like 2 year olds and don't know what is good for them...you wouldn't let your 2 yr. old out all night to run the streets would you? If your cat gets lonely during the day alone in the apartment then get another cat to keep him company and out of mischief.

This is a good argument for keeping cats inside.

Yes take her to the vet. I had a cat with a torn ear (before I learned my lesson about indoor cats) and the vet sewed it up. She also gave me antibiotics because the bite was infected. If your cat's wound is infected and it heals over the infection, it could abscess.

Take her to the vet. Please.

She may also fiddle with it and make the tear larger.

ill tell ya this my vet advised me to put water and flower (the kind u bake with)on my cat's toe once becouse he had pulled one of his claws out by him self..the vet said for any major wounds like that just to use the flower and water and after it healed up some and looked like it was gonna seal off just use triple antibodic ointment on it untill the healing process was complete...the vet also said for me not to worrie about my cat trying to clean the spot himself cause it was their way of treating the wound and keeping it clean so it can heal...so u might want to try the flower and just try to bandage her ear if she will let u but if u bandage her ear dont leave the bandage on for long peroids of time cause all cuts and wounds need freash air to heal properly....and as far as her getting it caught on something just keep an eye on her and she will be fine...but if ur extremely worried i would advise u take her to a vet but more then likely they wont do any thing for her

You really should take your cat to the Vet.

She could have an infection from having a wound and you don't know if that other animal has had it's shots.

Good Luck.

The cat's ear should be fine since it has healed and there is no infection. I would leave it like it is. No need for cosmetic surgery.

take your cat to another vet maybe who could suggest other alternatives than just leaving the ear like that.