My cat is scared of me after a fight.

[deweydells]

My cat was in a fight with another cat on Friday night. We came home late and she scarpered out the cat flap, obviously very spooked. I took her to the vet on Saturday morning and she was cleaned up, given pain killers and antibiotics but the injuries only seemed to be superficial.

She's been really easily scared and acting as though she's scared of me ever since. Yesterday she made a bolt to get outside just as I was shutting the back door and she got squashed. I don't think she was badly hurt as I wasn't shutting the door hard but it gave her another fright. She slept outside last night and didn't want to come in for her breakfast this morning. She's sitting outside just looking at me and moves away when I go up to her.

It's really upsetting but she seems to be scared of me and doesn't want to be in the house. It makes me worry because the more time she spends outside the more likely it is she'll run into the cat she had a fight with.

Try not to worry. She's just had a bit of a fright. She'll be back to her normal self very soon I'm sure.

Thank you. I'm sure you're right. It's just upsetting that she seems to think it was my fault! But then she does hate going to the vet so maybe that's what spooked her as much as anything.

I doubt she's scared of you as such - a big fight is generally upsetting to most cats so her whole world is likely a bit topsy turvy.

Do you talk to her much?

I usually talk to her a lot but she seems to want to hide away outside. She's on top on next door's shed at the moment. At least I know where she is. I'm probably worrying more than is necessary but she's not been well recently. She's also a very little cat and she's fourteen. Far too old for fighting!

My own Darling Twoago got into his first (as far as I know) really serious fight at about 13 - I'm talking drifts of fur across the garden - and he was out of sorts for maybe a week or so. I think it's a huge emotional and physical shock to what is, after all, an ageing mind and body at that point.

I'd keep things as normal as you can for her - lots of talking as ever and plenty of love and Dreamies (if those are her thing) when she comes inside so that she realizes that inside is still safe and warm. She may be wanting to stay outside to guard her territory or keep an eye open for intruders for a little bit but eventually head back in to take up residence.

Do you have a litter tray for her to use inside if she's minded to stay in a bit more? If not, I'd get one for her and try to keep her in at nights.

She has a litter tray inside and I have tried to keep her in but she hates not being able to go out, particularly at night. She roams around the house meowing ever more indignantly if the flap is locked at night. She has been in and had some food this morning but she pegged it outside again straight afterwards. I'll keep giving her food and reassurance and hopefully she'll realise that she's safe at home.

She may still have some agitation in her after the scrap. The physical effects probably go more quickly than the psychological ones for a cat who is unused to fighting.

Good luck anyway.

How's she doing today?

Sorry, cozietoesie, I've only just seen your post. She is doing much better although she still occasionally gets scared and bolts if I move too fast and startle her. Thanks for asking!

Good news.