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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Cat attacked

22 replies

iambouddica · 01/08/2025 13:04

My 10 month old girl was in a fight with another cat which came into our garden today. She came off worse and has bites/scratches on her legs and feet. She also is very sensitive around the base of her tail 😱. The other cat is a larger male and he had her pinned to the ground until I chased him off…I’ve brought her inside but she is not herself and I’m also noticing that she smells terrible- do male cat spray when they fight? Is there anyway I can help her clean up- she is very stressed so I think a bath is the last option for her… she is spayed (thank goodness) and I’m hoping we don’t need a vet visit for the wounds ( will be keeping a very close eye for infection but again I’m not really sure how to clean them without traumatic restraint… I’m a very novice cat owner as we have only had her a few months ( from a rescue)

OP posts:
Frenchfemme · 01/08/2025 13:18

If she was my cat I would be taking her to the vet to be thoroughly checked over. And yes, male cats can spray when they fight (neutered males spray as well as entire toms). Hope she’s feeling better soon.

kdd1980 · 01/08/2025 13:21

My 1 year old cat was attacked a couple of weeks ago by another cat. The vet said she needed an antibiotic injection if there was any bite as cats bites are full of bacteria. My girl was bitten badly on the leg so I took her for the injection and she healed really quickly

AnonSugar · 01/08/2025 13:26

Firstly, take her to the vet for a check. My girl got spooked a few weeks ago and the vet gave a couple days of Gabapentin to help her calm down.

Saying that, your cat is only 10 months. She will get bigger and defend herself better. Just keep scaring off the male.

Now I am saying she’ll start defending herself but my girl squeals like a pig and crashes through the cat flap when she’s being chased. 😆

tumblingdowntherabbithole · 01/08/2025 13:28

She needs to see the vet today.

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 01/08/2025 13:29

Please take your cat to the vet - abscesses need to be caught early otherwise they can be VERY expensive. Base of the tail is classic (bitten while running away)

ChompandaGrazia · 01/08/2025 13:30

Take her to the vet to have the wounds cleaned and checked. I’m assuming she’s been spayed.

edited to add that I’ve just seen that she is spayed.

RosesAndHellebores · 01/08/2025 13:32

Why on earth are you hoping there won't be a need to visit the vet? The only reason can be that you don't want to pay for it.

Your cat needs to see the vet urgently and having a budget for the vet is part of responsible pet ownership. It isn't negotiable. Not to take her to the vet is negligent. She needs antibiotics and a proper check and clean.

marmaladeandpeanutbutter · 01/08/2025 13:35

Almost certainly antibiotics. My cat was subjected to a minor attack and got an abscess above his tail.

GentleSheep · 01/08/2025 13:55

Yes get her checked out by the vet OP.

Pinkissmart · 01/08/2025 13:59

RosesAndHellebores · 01/08/2025 13:32

Why on earth are you hoping there won't be a need to visit the vet? The only reason can be that you don't want to pay for it.

Your cat needs to see the vet urgently and having a budget for the vet is part of responsible pet ownership. It isn't negotiable. Not to take her to the vet is negligent. She needs antibiotics and a proper check and clean.

Or perhaps her cat is stressed, and would be further stressed by going to the vet?

Original poster
iambouddica · 01/08/2025 13:59

I was hoping not to stress her out further by taking her to the vets… but clearly it is necessary

OP posts:
afaloren · 01/08/2025 14:00

You must take her to the vet I’m afraid. Cat bites can get infected very easily and her tail needs checking over.

ginasevern · 01/08/2025 14:02

Sorry OP but you must take her to the vets asap. She'll need an antibiotic injection. If you are a novice owner (and to be honest even if you aren't) you can't possibly judge the injuries with confidence by yourself. Please take the poor kitty to the vets.

RosesAndHellebores · 01/08/2025 14:04

Pinkissmart · 01/08/2025 13:59

Or perhaps her cat is stressed, and would be further stressed by going to the vet?

Show quote history

The poor cat will be stressed and unwell when she develops an abscess.

The vet will properly clean the wounds, check for hidden ones and give ABs and something like gabapentin as noted above.

Allergictoironing · 01/08/2025 14:09

Longer term, if this kind of thing happens again you may want to look into cat proofing your garden or building a catio (finances permitting of course).

user1471548941 · 01/08/2025 14:10

Please take her to the vets. Please ask them to test her for FIV- this can only be passed on through cat bites but the most likely culprits are large unneutered Toms, which this cat could potentially be (if he was pinning down a small female!).

Both my boys were rescued with cat bites from fights and have this- it’s not a death sentence but it does mean they are now indoor cats to protect their immune systems and ensure they don’t pass it on to other cats.

user1471548941 · 01/08/2025 14:11

And yes to gabapentin- excellent stuff for relaxing a stressed cat.

Best wishes to your poor girl, hope she is feeling better soon!

RubyFlax · 01/08/2025 15:08

Yes I’d advise vets too. We have a male
neutered cat who’s been in fights numerous times… he doesn’t really wander from our garden but other cats come here so he’ll try and defend his patch unfortunately.
He’s usually very quiet & subdued (and probably sore) immediately after. Within 48 an abscess can come up from bites and they are very painful & need draining & antibiotics.
I would take her today to get checked over by the vet & any wounds cleaned, and they may be able to give her a long lasting antibiotic injection to fend off any infection. If you can keep her in for a few days and make some safe cosy places for her to hide away at home.
The smell could be the other cat, or it could be her own anal glands which expressed when she was frightened. This has happened to mine before.

Agapornis · 01/08/2025 15:26

For the smell you could wipe her with a wet cloth and a bit of soap, or baby wet wipes - then wipe again with just water (e.g. moist warm towel) to make sure she's not licking off soap.

Is she insured? My insurance includes free video consultations. Though they will likely tell you to take her to the vet.

As a novice, ask the vet how to find wounds and treat them. I've had cats for very many years so have a pretty good idea of what I can do and what needs the vet. The most common areas to check for cuts are hind legs, the head, and the tail. Also check her nails for any damage. Usually you can clean them with salty water.

One of mine is a fighter and needs a night to sleep off and destress from his annual Big Fight.

Cheeky19863 · 01/08/2025 16:12

She needs to go to the vets, please dont risk it!

Original poster
iambouddica · 01/08/2025 18:12

Thank you for all the advice- the vet was very pleased to see her so promptly- before she ends up with an abscess. The painkillers have kicked in and she is more like herself again. A few quiet days for her now.

Cat attacked
OP posts:
GentleSheep · 02/08/2025 07:27

Awww poor little girl, but she will be fine now, glad you took her!

It's a good idea to have some saline solution which can be used to wash out bites and wounds if you find some. I've had several male cats, most have had bites at some point or other and if you can find a bite then you can at least wash it out.

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