I think the whole "don't use peroxide" thing has been blown out of
proportion.  Peroxide is ok to use if you use it once or twice - the
problem arises when you use it over and over time after time on the
same wound.  The problem with commercial antibiotic creams being used
on cats is that they cause the wound to go anerobic because they are
usually in a petrolatum base/carrier, which block air from getting to
the wound.  Cat wounds (especially bites) are notorious for becoming
infected with anerobic bacteria.  You (general you) should always use a
topical antibiotic prescribed by a doctor like Tresaderm, which is in a
non-petroleum base.  If you don't have any available, and the wound is
small it is acceptable to clean the wound once with peroxide to help
stop the bleeding, and then allow it to dry.  The cat will lick it to
keep it clean.  Puncture or larger-sized wounds should be seen by a vet
because the potential for abscess is great.

-L.

It's ineffective and potentially dangerous, and there are antibacterials
that work better.

According to my doctor, peroxide has come under suspicion lately
as a carcinogen. That is why we are hearing more and more that
we should use other things to clean wounds. That said, it is
excellent for cleaning wounds that may be infected primarily
*because* it destroys tissue. So if a wound is infected it
essentially eats up the infected tissue. However, beyond a
single application, you don't want to destroy tissue every
time you disinfect a cut.

My dentist told me never to use it as a mouthwash, for
precisely that reason. He said, "I can tell when patients'
are using it, even dilute, because I can see their gum
tissue sloughing off." So, it works as a disinfectant
but a little too well in that it kills healthy tissue. I therefore
never use it as a mouthwash but almost always if I think
a cut looks infective: once or twice. Then it's alcohol or
neosporin.