photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Tencats | all galleries >> Galleries >> Cat Bite Puncture Wounds, Cat Claw Wounds, And Other Cat problems > Girl attacked by her pet cat gets 14 stitches to close claw wounds in her scalp.
previous | next

Girl attacked by her pet cat gets 14 stitches to close claw wounds in her scalp.

Not tencats, not this time thankfully.
I've only ever suffered a few deep bite wounds that got infected but didn't quite do me in. Then there is always the many of superficial scratch wounds to my arms legs hands from my ever loving cats. I talked with this girl briefly yesterday and sent her on to an expert in cat behavior. I think this could happen to to anyone that has a really big stressed-out pet cat. It does remind me again to be careful though.

Her story.
"I have had two wonderful cats for the last six years. They are my babies.. they sleep with me, eat with me... I love them. Then came my boyfriend's dog. My cat Max took really well to the dog after a few introductions.. My other cat, Lenny, however, was NOT happy. One day I decided to pick him up and put him in my room so that he would stop freaking out while the dog was over. The dog was asleep in another room... I picked Lenny up to take him into my room to close the door. He turned towards me in my arms (he's a big Main Coon Cat.. 25lbs), put his ears back and jumped towards my head claws out and mauled me. I had to get 14 stitches and passed out from blood loss.... He lost one claw in the attack because he ripped my skull down to the bone.

This has been devastating for me on so many levels. At first I didn't realize how much I would be impacted by this... I mean, he is my baby...so gentle and such a lover... but he was so scared and out of his mind that he attacked me even though he was unprovoked.

Many people have told me I should put him down, which I disagree with. Other's say that I should have him de-clawed... which I am considering, but feel bad about. He is already 6 years old, it would be a HUGE change for him. But what most concerns me is that I no longer feel for him the way I used to. it has been two months since the attack, and my scars are still fresh. I don't let him sleep with me anymore and hardly ever touch him. I can't look at him the same way.. I don't even know if I love him anymore.

Call me crazy, but this REALLY has me down. What should I do.. what would YOU do if it were your baby that attacked you and scared you for life??? Do I give him to someone else? Do I keep him and get over it? Do I put him down? Do I de-claw him?

Please help.. I'd love to know your thoughts.. I'm tearing up inside."


other sizes: small original auto
comment | share
guest 22-Dec-2013 12:07
First of all, this is very sad to read that this happened to you and that this whole happening estranged you from your cat.
A cat uses his claws for many things think about it when you declaw him he's life will be not joyful because he will not be able to use them anymore.
Putting down any pet is not to solve a problem for this kind of behaviour.
Other than that you wrote your cat wasn't like this maybe the dog needs to get out of the house a dog can easily stay in the yard.
Sad to hear that you only know how to make things easier for your own instead of living happily with your pet, don't get me wrong I feel for people who get attacked by their pets but I feel a lot more for the pets cause they always ave a reason to attack one another unless humans.
Guest 13-Aug-2012 23:29
I was recently attacked by my daughters cat fourteen stitches as well. he attacked my right hand and arm. all I was doing was picking him up and he attacked my arm unprovoked as well. Her boyfriend took the cat to his house and it lives outside over there, across the street and down the street. I never want to see him again. He used to let me pet and love him so Im losing the good as well as the bad but I am okay with that like I said, never again. Good luck with yours.
Steve Sharp29-Jul-2008 20:08
That's a very sad story, I don't have any answers as to what to do unfortunately, but it seems such a shame on many levels. Perhaps time will be a healer on some of these levels.
Arlon29-Jul-2008 19:40
First I'd try to find him a home with one of the groups the specializes in relocating coons before I'd put him down. There are several. He needs to be in a one pet house or with one he grew up with. Coons are pretty territotial (mine is) and maybe a little "spastic". I understand the "unprovoked" explosion. Been there, done that. I have a coon mix (my cat gallery) and he's flown off the handle when he gets totally freaked out. He'll do it if he just sees another cat walk across the back yard but I know his body language and when to just flat leave him alone.

I now know what to expect so I'm not concerned anymore. I didn't get as bad as you got but I still got it pretty good once. His body language tells a lot and learning to read him is very important. Little is unpredictable when you get used to their body language.

If you brought a mangy mutt into his perfect world, he may not love you now either!
If you keep the boyfrind and his dog, I think the coon would have to go someplace.
May take longer for him to adapt than it would be worth.

Best of luck for both of you!