Withdrawn cat after fight

[Dontrainonmyparade]

My cat is just under 7 months. He’s been going outside since just before Christmas, mostly sticks to the garden and hasn’t left the cul-de-sac at all. He’s a fraidy cat really but he loved being outside.

Anyway, today he was out and I heard yowling in the garden - saw cat being chased by another bigger cat. We managed to see the other cat off, but mine was frightened and hid in the hedge for ages. Managed to coax him in eventually, and he’s been so quiet and withdrawn all day since. There was some fur on the grass that’s his, because he’s a tabby and the other cat was black.

I can’t see any obvious injuries, he’s eaten some dreamies but not gone near his bowls or meowed to go outside since which is so unlike him. He’s ignored any attempts to play but will be cuddled and stroked by us. Is this normal? Should I take him to get checked over by a vet? I’m really worried, he just looks so sad!

Photo of sad kitty attached

I’d check through his fur for bite wounds. They are not always immediately obvious but are usually on their head or neck but can be in other places. Somethings they are small but deep puncture wounds.

Thanks, I can’t find anything. He’s eaten now - but still seems so sad. I think if the same tomorrow I’m going to call the vet 😢

Oh dear, he does look upset. Poor boys met the bigger boy and come off worse.

If he’s not one of life’s fighters it’s very scary for them. He’ll get over it. He just needs lots of love.

My boy is a bit of a scrapper but he’s a big softie really. If he’s had a roughing up he’s often quiet and a bit clingy.
If you’ve checked him for injuries just look after him as you normally would. He’s bound to feel a bit sorry for himself - but keep your eye out for abscesses as they can come out after a few days and need vet treatment.
Poor chap 💙

My dopey Persian managed to get into a fight. (Much to mine and everyone who knows her's amazement) she punctured her eyeball and had a large abscess on her cheek. Only sign was that she was a bit quiet at first.

As it's probably his first encounter with the cat underworld, he's going to be shaken. He just needs time to come to terms with it. He'll ask to go out again when he's ready. As already advised, keep an eye out for any developing wounds. He's lovely, poor wee thing

He might be shaken, but if he's been bitten then cat bites can turn nasty pretty quickly. I would check him thoroughly all over and keep a very close eye. One of ours got bitten by a neighbours cat and the next day she had a lot of inflammation according to the vet, the only way we even noticed was that she was a bit slow and didn't toilet in her usual spot outside.

Our boy sulks after a show down too! Extra cuddles and some of his favourite food usually bring him round.

He went through a stage of pooping inside because he was afraid go out so now we tend to go out in the garden and shoo away any bullies before he comes out now!

His sister is a lover not a fighter and doesn't care who's in her garden, the only cat that ever shows her any aggression is her scaredy brother!

Poor boy, he is gorgeous.
I agree with other posters about watching out for abscesses. My cat is a street lad, has had a few of them. The only sign was that he was very quiet and withdrawn for a few days, followed by the fur becoming thin and falling out over the wound site. There's a swelling which eventually bursts releasing pus.The puncture marks are small, heal over quickly trapping the infection inside.

I hope he doesn't have a bite and is just a bit spooked bless him. Let us know how he is.