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Original poster

Cat just scratched DD

17 replies

NinaMyers · 23/12/2008 13:21

I feel really really guilty DD is 7months old and was sitting close to the cat on my knee, she was bashing her arms about a bit but didn't actually touch the cat and the cat just went for her. She's got two long scratches on her arm, they aren't bleeding but are very red and sore looking. What do I do now? I have a feeling DP's first reaction is going to be to get rid of the cat but I don't think he'd actually do it.

It's the first time anything like this has happenend and I'm now definitely more upset than dd who has forgotten all about it. So do we just forget about it and make more of an effort to keep them even further apart in future?

OP posts:

NCRedBreastedBirdy · 23/12/2008 13:29

Just be aware that your cat is not child friendly! There is no reason why your cat should know that the baby meant no harm.

If your dh tries to get rid of the cat just wait until the next time he accidently catches dd with a nappy pin or something and tell him that the has to go

Cat scratches can be nasty so I would suggest some antiseptic cream to make sure.

Original poster

NinaMyers · 23/12/2008 13:38

My cat isn't human friendly! I think she's frustrated cos it's winter so there isn't a lot of wildlife to catch (the cat that is, not the baby).

I'm dreading my mum and mil seeing the scratches more than anything else, I'm going to have months of gleeful 'I told you so!'

I've calmed down a bit now.

OP posts:

whispywhisp · 23/12/2008 13:39

My cat isn't child friendly either but I would never get rid of the cat...she has scratched both my kids in the past but its normally down to the kids bothering the cat. A cat would never do any lasting damage to a child/baby - they will put up with just so much before they get their claws out! Cats are very independent animals and ours will take herself away from the kids if the kids are likely to bother her. Cats, in some cases, see young children and babies as something to play with and yours probably saw the swinging arms and legs as a toy rather than another human being!

I would forget about it but also keep an eye on them too....

SleighGirl · 23/12/2008 13:40

IME cat's only scratch when cornered so perhaps not best to have the cat on your knee when the baby is around. Also IME baby gets scratched once and keeps wide berth of cat!

ruty · 23/12/2008 13:42

wipe them with a bit of antiseptic and she'll be fine. All cats scratch. I would try to keep them a bit further apart, children have unpredictable movements and cats hate that.

hercules1 · 23/12/2008 13:43

It's not the cats fault. It was doing what cats do. Of course you have to make more of an effort to keep them apart.

bookthief · 23/12/2008 13:48

My ds has had a few run-ins with out cat and he now gives her plenty of respect!

He was a bit older than your dd when he got scratched for the first time (crawling over to her bed and pulling her tail..) but although I've tried to keep them apart, ds loves her so much that from time to time he gets a cuff.

There's no way I'd consider getting rid of our cat, and I actually think it's taught ds a good lesson on being wary (although not scared) of animals. He waits until I say he can stroke her (if she's in a good mood) now and was the same with a friend's dog recently, rather than just grabbing.

pania · 23/12/2008 13:49

It might be a good idea to get some cat nail clippers from a pet shop or the vet - we have some like this.

You just cut off the very tip of each claw to blunt them - don't want to cut too much off as you could cut into the quick. It's a 2 person job though, or you could try wrapping the cat tightly in a towel so you can get at her paws.

bookthief · 23/12/2008 13:51

pania, you've just reminded me that I have that delightful job ahead of me before we get ready to go enfamile (including cat) to my parents' for Christmas.

Oh joy unconfined.

Original poster

NinaMyers · 23/12/2008 13:58

I was never going to get rid of the cat! I just meant that DP would overreact when he hears (dd is pfb!) I wouldn't actually let him get rid of her.

Thanks bookthief, hopefully dd will be a bit more cautious now too. Also good to hear that your ds still loves your cat, don't want dd to be scared of cats but could do with her not chasing the poor thing around all day

OP posts:

TwoCuteFestiveFairys · 23/12/2008 14:01

Please please please DONT trim your cats claws, unless of corse they dont go out to wear them down outdoors.

My Nans cats claws were clipped (without her permission) on a visit the the vets for her teeth cleaned, a week later she was attacked by a stray dog according to a neighbour the cat had tried to escape the dog by climbing a tree buy lost her footing, sadly she died almost instantly from her injuries

Original poster

NinaMyers · 23/12/2008 14:01

pania we used to trim her nails when she was a kitten but she's bigger stronger and wilder now I think I'd probably lose an arm

My cat is most definitely not a lap cat but she does have a whole lot of personality!

OP posts:

whispywhisp · 23/12/2008 14:02

I would NEVER cut my cat's claws. I've never heard of it being done actually. Cats naturally have sharp claws. Even if you were to cut them/blunt them they will only go out and re-sharpen them on the nearest bit of furniture or tree trunk.

bookthief · 23/12/2008 14:06

She's a house cat unfortunately and we have to trim her claws as she doesn't wear them down naturally due to being inside.

She does still shred furniture but not to quite such devastating effect after a trim (hence clipping before going to parents nice house..)

ruty · 23/12/2008 15:03

my dh's cousin in newzealand has a cat whose claws have been pulled out by the vet. Apparently it is common practice there.

MrsSeanBean · 23/12/2008 15:09

These things happen. Try to keep them apart in future.

Luckily my cat (who was interesting a wild/feral stray) is supremely tolerant of ds who chases him and pulls tail mercilessly. It's not that he's a mild mannered cat either - if I did the same I would be ripped to shreds.

staffylover · 28/12/2008 15:12

Accidents do happen! Children are mollycoddled far too much these days. Yes make sure they are safe but such is life. People/parents are far to quick to look around and blame everyone/thing else.

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