Why Every Vet Cautions on Bruising in Cats in 2025 🐱🩹

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc – If your cat shows a bruise—especially if unexplained—it’s often more than a bump. Bruises in felines are rare due to their thick skin and fur, which means when they do appear, it’s something veterinarians take seriously. In this guide, we’ll cover causes, red flags, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention to ensure your cat’s health in 2025. 🐾

📌 What Is a Bruise?

A bruise (contusion) is bleeding under the skin caused by ruptured blood vessels. Cats rarely bruise, but when they do, it might indicate trauma, clotting issues, or serious disease :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.

🔍 Common Causes

• Trauma: Falls, dog or cat fights, being hit by a car, or blunt impact often cause bruising—these injuries usually hide more severe internal damage :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
• Sprains, strains & soft tissue injury: Damage to muscles, ligaments, or joints can lead to swelling and bruising :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
• Clotting or platelet disorders: Platelet problems—like thrombocytopenia—result in spontaneous bruising, bleeding gums, or nosebleeds. Causes include toxins, liver disease, infections, immune conditions, or bone marrow issues :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
• Surgical/needle site bruising: Small bruises may appear around injection or surgical sites—but large, persistent bruises need checking :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
• Rare inherited conditions: Structural vessel disorders like feline cutaneous asthenia may cause fragile skin and bruise formation from minimal trauma :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.

⚠️ When Bruising Is an Emergency

You should seek veterinary care promptly if you notice:

• Multiple or unexplained bruises
• Bruises inside the mouth or on gums, ears, belly—especially petechiae (pinpoint red spots) :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
• Blood in urine or stool alongside bruising :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
• Bleeding from nose or gums
• Lethargy, pale gums, or weakness
• Bruises following trauma (fall, bite, car accident)

🏥 How Vets Diagnose Bruising

1. History & physical exam: Evaluate trauma history, assess bruising pattern, gum/mucous membrane color :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.
2. Bloodwork: CBC to check platelet count and red cells; biochemistry to assess liver/marrow health :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.
3. Coagulation tests: Clotting time, PT, aPTT to detect clotting factor deficiencies :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.
4. Imaging: X-rays or ultrasound to uncover internal bleeding or injuries after trauma :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.
5. Bone marrow tests: In cases of suspected platelet production issues :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.
6. Special tests: Infectious disease panels, toxin screenings, or hereditary tests if needed.

💉 Treatment Strategies

Trauma-Related Bruising and Strains

• Limit movement with rest, soft bedding, and confinement :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}.
• Apply cold compresses for the first 24–48 hours to reduce swelling.
• NSAIDs (vet-prescribed) or pain relief like gabapentin :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}.
• Use laser therapy, acupuncture, or physical rehabilitation when appropriate.
• Hospitalize for supportive care if fractures or deep injuries are suspected.

Clotting Disorders

• Treat underlying cause—immune, infection, liver disease, or toxin exposure :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}.
• Provide platelet-supportive meds, immunosuppressives, or blood transfusions if severe :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}.
• Restrict activity to prevent bleeding episodes.

Inherited Skin Disorders

Cats with conditions like cutaneous asthenia need gentle handling, padding, careful grooming, and nutritional supplements to support skin health :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}.

🔧 Aftercare & Monitoring

• Track bruising resolution—should fade over 1–2 weeks.
• Monitor for signs of worsening bleeding or new bruises.
• Follow up bloodwork to confirm clotting parameters are improving.
• Encourage controlled activity and gradually resume normal play.
• Check in if bruises reappear or behavior changes.

🛡 Prevention Strategies

• Maintain a trauma-safe environment and supervise outdoor access.
• Keep vaccinations, parasite control, and health checks current to avoid disease-related bleeding.
• Keep toxins and medications safely out of reach.
• Provide a stress-free home—especially for cats with known clotting vulnerabilities.

🤝 Role of Ask A Vet, Woopf & Purrz

The Ask A Vet app helps pet owners assess bruising signs quickly and guides when urgent care is needed. Woopf-recommended padded bedding and mobility aids support healing in soft tissue injury cases, while Purrz stress reduction tools help clotting-disorder cats avoid self-inflicted injury. These resources enhance compassionate and professional care. 🐾

📣 Final Takeaway

Bruising in cats is rarely benign—it's often a marker for trauma or serious underlying disease. In 2025, careful monitoring and early veterinary care save lives. If you spot a bruise, especially combined with gum petechiae, bleeding, or lethargy, seek veterinary advice promptly. With expert diagnostics, treatment, and at-home support, many cats recover fully and get back to purring pain-free. ❤️🐱

📞 Next Steps

1. Take note of bruising details—size, location, and when it appeared.
2. Assess any trauma events or changes recently.
3. Contact your vet or book a triage consult via Ask A Vet.
4. Bring your cat in for bloodwork/imaging as recommended.
5. Start treatment promptly and follow aftercare instructions closely.
6. Use home support from Woopf and Purrz to aid healing and comfort.