A bank holiday brain teaser

[Shaska]

OK bear with me here.

Yesterday, DH roasted a chicken before he went to work, while I was out. He ate a bit then put it back in the oven to cool, then when I came home I ate a bit then put it in the fridge. Chicken remained in its pan at all times.

This morning I noticed the madcat has sprouted a sort of mohawk. I nabbed her for an investigation and her head reeked unmistakeably of chicken.

Basically the madcat has gelled her hair with chicken fat. So far, so hilarious.

But the issue is WHEN.

It seems either DH or I slopped a bit onto her while removing/inserting chicken into oven or fridge. Neither of us remotely recall doing so, or think she was even there - but she does love chicken and I suppose it's possible.

Now to the problem. If it was me, it's fine. I've poured chicken fat on the cat's head. Fine.

If it was DH, he's poured boiling hot chicken fat on the cat's head. Not so fine.

I'm only really concerned at all because of the thread a while back about how cats don't show burns the way people do. And I know very well they don't show pain.

She seems a bit quiet today but I could be imagining that and she's not obviously miserable, nor are there any signs of a serious hot oil incident. Still smells a bit of chicken. I'd have thought that had DH done it there would've been SOME kind of commotion. But maybe not?

So here it is, litter tray.

What are the chances that my husband poured hot chicken fat on the cat's head without realising?

[EeyoresTail]

Could either of you have spilt some on the floor and she's rubbed her head in it?

[Shaska]

Possible, but it's really just the very top of her head, and it was quite... a lot of it...

Not inconceivable as she is mad, but it would be an odd thing for her to do- not to mention quite acrobatic.

[cozietoesie]

And you believe DH's story in its entirety?

[Shaska]

Ha!! I know he wouldn't pour hot oil on her and not do anything about it if that's what you mean. He's the only one she's remotely nice to so they have a special relationship.

[Moln]

Wouldn't she have hissed if she got burnt? Wouldn't that have got dh's attention

[lastlines]

Your DH ate some greasy chicken with his fingers and then scratched madcat's head affectionately to clean up. It's what DH's do. A little grease can spread a long way.

[HemanOrSheRa]

Was there a time gap between your DH eating a bit and putting the chicken back in the oven? Cat had a little bit too? Maybe mushed the chicken fat over her own head from her chops when she was cleaning?

[cozietoesie]

Oh I don't doubt that he wouldn't pour hot oil on her and not do anything about it - if he knew there might be an issue. I'm not getting at that. Just that if the cat had fat over her, his overall timeline is suspect. Deeply suspect.

I read that thread you're talking about - may even have been on it - and Lone's quick explanation of cat deep tissue burns fair put the wind up me as well. Have you looked very closely at the skin involved?

[trice]

Are you sure the cat hasn't been raiding bins?

[cozietoesie]

Ah hah! A real defence attorney there, trice.

[shaska]

• too much grease to have come off greasy hands or been smeared from elsewhere.
  

• Cozie I agree, timeline suspicions! He swears it's impossible and it's not like him to be so certain unless he's really certain... but he could be wrong. I've had a look and can't see anything obviously odd. It doesn't help that her natural reaction to being messed with loud and violent - so in terms of 'does this hurt' it's a slight mystery with her. But I do worry.
  

• Indoor cat and our bins are lidded, no bin diving!

[cozietoesie]

Here's the thread in question - Lone's posts are towards the end.

From what I recall it can take up to 3 weeks for problems to show (although I'll stand to be corrected on that one) so this may be one to keep an eye on her for the next bit.

And let DH read the relevant guidance!

[shaska]

I re read it and it was even more frightening than I remembered!

I cleaned the fat off and she didn't hate it more than I thought she would- in fact she was quite good about it, for her, which makes me think it's not painful. So yes- wait and see and cross our fingers I suppose.

[cozietoesie]

Good luck to her, shaska.