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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To cry because I accidentally hurt my cat?

56 replies

ScrewtapesOppositeNumber · 18/09/2013 22:53

He was lying on my lap and I was reading a quite heavy book. He fidgeted around and stood up, making me lose my grip on the book, which fell on him. He leapt up and ran under the table, and spat at me Sad He was clearly terrified. He then hid behind the sofa. He is a rescue cat and that's what he did when I first got him home. He does it when he's really scared.

I sat with him and talked softly to him and eventually he came out. He is still nervous though. Heartbreaking to see him scared of me Sad. Luckily he is not hurt.

NB: I may be a little hormonal.

OP posts:
thecatneuterer · 18/09/2013 22:58

Ah bless. Don't worry he'll soon forgive you.

whois · 18/09/2013 23:01

Don't worry, it was an accident! The cat will be OK. Give him a treat if you have any to say sorry.

penguin73 · 18/09/2013 23:02

I know the feeling :( Cats are so good at guilt-tripping! (Why is there a tennis icon but no cat one?)

thecatneuterer · 18/09/2013 23:06

I know penguin! We residents of The Litter Tray have been lobbying for a cat icon for ages to no avail. Tis not right.

Original poster
ScrewtapesOppositeNumber · 18/09/2013 23:06

I've given him cheese, which helped. I was shitting myself that I might have injured him.

OP posts:
Southsearocks · 18/09/2013 23:08

I cried when I accidentally trod on my cat's tail. I really caused him pain. So I don't think you ABU at all Cake

Dahlen · 18/09/2013 23:11

I accidentally cut my cat once and had to take her to the vet to have stitches. She was a long-haired cat and had rolled in tar. I was trying to cut off the worst of it.

I felt bloody awful (not as awful as cat obviously) for months, and even now, years later and long after death of said cat, I can picture that exact moment vividly.

That should make you feel better. Wink

Preciousbane · 18/09/2013 23:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

penguin73 · 18/09/2013 23:12

The Litter Tray? What? Where? (feel I've been missing something!...)

Original poster
ScrewtapesOppositeNumber · 18/09/2013 23:14

I think the reason I felt so bad is because he trusts me completely. I'm the one person who's supposed to look after him and I hurt him. He looked so bewildered. He's got a very expressive face for a cat.

OP posts:
whois · 18/09/2013 23:14

If it makes you feel better, I accidentally trod on my cats tail years ago and broke it. He had to have his lovely long tail amputated :-( now that is bad. Cat seemed to forgive me tho, poor thing.

penguin73 · 18/09/2013 23:15

Bit gruesome, but I ran over a hedgehog once with the flymo which was bad enough but it was the same colour as our new rescue kitten and I thought it was her Sad I still feel physically sick when OH brings it up.

thecatneuterer · 18/09/2013 23:15

Penguin - do jump in and scratch around with us: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/the_litter_tray

festered · 18/09/2013 23:16

Hee'll forgive you!He's a rescue so you're evidently a caring person who wants to give her a nice life, accidents happen.
As a long-time rescuer of rodents, I know nobody's perfect. He''ll be okay :)

penguin73 · 18/09/2013 23:18

I'm on my way!

AlpacaPicnic · 18/09/2013 23:21

I dropped a cup of tea on my cat once - he wouldn't talk to me for days... he's laying on the sofa next to me now!
He'll come around - but he'll make you suffer first...

Madratlady · 18/09/2013 23:30

I have a cat who dives under my feet as I walk and frequently gets his paws trodden on. Then he acts like I'm the meanest mummy ever and doesn't want to be my friend.

He never learns not to do it though.

Original poster
ScrewtapesOppositeNumber · 18/09/2013 23:44

He is now dozing on my lap. I seem to be forgiven. Not purring yet but seems much less anxious. So glad I haven't traumatised him!

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 18/09/2013 23:50

Cats go for the sympathy/I'm traumatised line.
They get you back once you have forgotten all about it!
Watch for:
Vomit in shoes
Mouse released in bedroom
Claws used in inventive ways. (My favourite was a tabby cat who hooked one in a nostril and pulled!)
Tyres shredded
Etc etc.
Still love the buggers though!

ThatVikRinA22 · 18/09/2013 23:54

if it makes you feel any better i accidentally kicked one of my rats across the bathroom floor yesterday. she flew. then sat dazed and rather soggy - i had the 6 girls out in the bathroom while i had a bath - as i got out one ran under my foot as i put it down, in shock she bit me and i pulled my foot up inadvertently throwing her across the room where she landed in a soggy bath soaked pile.
luckily she was unhurt. just wet. she forgave me pretty quickly.

im trying to work out what i did to the frosty cat who dropped an almost dead mouse on me earlier today....

TheSeaPriestess · 18/09/2013 23:57

I managed to drop a bed on my cat's head once, many years ago. I was trying to get something from underneath so was lifting it up with one hand and reaching with the other when he stuck his head under to have a nosy. I let go then realised his head was trapped!! Shock

He was fine, but he did lose his miaow for a day.

Another time I didn't realise my cat was on the bathroom windowsill outside and opened the window, knocking him off! He was also fine but I felt awful for ages.

They both survived without too much trauma for many years after that though. Bless them, I do miss my boys. Sad

Original poster
ScrewtapesOppositeNumber · 19/09/2013 00:01

Glad I'm not alone! Honestly, I would rather hurt myself than hurt him! It's almost worse than hurting a person by accidental because you can't tell them sorry. You have to bribe them show it

OP posts:
GoodbyeRubyTuesday · 19/09/2013 00:05

I cried once because I was worried my rabbit might not know how much I love her HmmBlush

Morloth · 19/09/2013 01:23

Snort my cat has had a lot worse than a booked dropped on her. She is a bloody idiot though who likes to get under your feet.

He will get over it.

She and my 3 year old like to bug each other and he has sat on her before. To be fair she likes nothing more than freaking him it when he is sitting quietly by running up, and leaping at him.

I am pretty sure they both think she is just another child...

CatOfTheDay · 19/09/2013 02:13

I made one of our cats jump last week by dropping the food scoop when he'd just started munching away, and felt so guilty I cried (and gave him wet food as an apology).
I was definitely hormonal - he accepted my apology though!