Today I Will Lovingly Sport My Cat Scratch
A few days ago I was lying on the couch with Sampson (our resident scaredy cat) curled up on my chest. We were enjoying a relaxing afternoon with our attic fan going and windows open. I moved my arm. That movement for some reason startled Sampson out of his sweet kitty slumbers, and he jumped straight up in the air. When he came back down, his back foot and claws landed on my face. Ouch.
Needless to say, that startled me straight up off the couch. With my hand over my cheek, I ran into the bathroom to assess the damage. Yikes.
I rinsed the scratch with water and dabbed some peroxide on it for good measure. It was bleeding pretty good, so I held a wet paper towel over it for a bit.
When I finally came out, I went and found my Sampy. It was a startling experience for the both of us, and it certainly wasn’t his fault. I absolutely could not (nor would I ever) blame him for what happened. I picked him up, he nuzzled me and gave me some of his signature suckles, and all was right with the world.
I’ve kept an eye on the scratch to make sure no infection developed, but it has actually healed up much faster than I expected. It’s been about five days now, and the scratch is barely noticeable. My husband and coworkers have gotten a kick out of calling me Scarface all week though.
It was actually the thought of how my coworkers would react to the scratch that brought about some of the thoughts I wanted to share. I knew people were going to ask me what happened, and I was actually worried about telling them that it was a cat scratch – afraid they would jump to the usual conclusion that cats are somehow dangerous or destructive and shouldn’t have claws. I certainly didn’t want to inadvertently perpetuate that myth.
Most everyone at work knows I have cats, so they all ended up guessing it was a cat scratch. When I explained how it happened, stressing that it was an accident, many accepted the explanation; however, I did get a couple leery glances accompanied by an “uh huh.. yeah, sure…”. One person was even surprised to learn that my cats still have their claws.
For the life of me, I will never understand why cats are sometimes painted as mean and destructive animals who should have their claws ripped out to keep them from hurting anyone or ruining any furniture. Even today, when there is so much information out there to the contrary, people widely accept these views. Dogs scratch too, you know – I’ve frequently seen and been the recipient of dog scratches that even cause bruising. Children bite and scratch – in fact, when I was a kid I accidentally poked my mom in the eye so hard that she had to see a doctor and wear an eye patch for days.
A dog scratch or a child-inflicted injury? “Oh, no big deal – just an accident!”
A cat scratch? “That thing is evil – you should get it declawed!!!”
An unacceptable double standard. Cats, just like dogs and children, can sometimes cause injuries. It doesn’t mean that they are evil and out to get you. And it certainly doesn’t mean they should have their claws ripped out. Certainly no one talks of removing their dog’s claws or their children’s fingers. That would be incredibly cruel and inhumane. News flash — it is incredibly cruel and inhumane to remove a cat’s claws too!
Yes, I live in a house with five cats, all of whom have their claws. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Yes, I sometimes get minor nicks and scratches on my hands, arms, or legs (or face). Rarely ever done intentionally.
Yes, my cats have even scratched up some of our furniture. Damage no worse than what a dog, or even a child, could do.
And you know what? There’s nothing wrong with that.
So this cute little fella accidentally scratched me… so what? He is just a big furball filled with nothing but love. He doesn’t deserve the negative stigma that so often surrounds cats, and he doesn’t deserve to have his claws removed. If you can’t see that that’s true, not just of Sampson but of every cat, then the problem is YOU!
I shouldn’t have to feel embarrassed or ashamed because my cat scratched my face. In fact, I won’t feel embarrassed or ashamed. Today, I will lovingly sport my cat scratch! Join me, will you?
I don’t know why humans think we kitties are mean and destructive. My human doesn’t trust strange dogs more than she trusts strange cats – she trusts dogs less, in fact. And actually, dogs are way more destructive than kitties too!
Accidents happen. The pleasure of owning cats certainly outweighs any brief moments of pain!
Thank you for writing such an important post!!! I will never understand why such awful stigmas are placed on cats,
I get spooked easily too so have scratched Mommy accidentally but she never gets mad at me either. The neighbor dogs scratch her worse when they jump on her! She always has huge welts on her arms after seeing them and just last week one got her on her face when she knelt down to pet her. We hate the double standard with our kitty claws!
Purrs,
Angel
Oh, look at that handsome, so sweet face! We’re very sorry yours got banged up a bit, but it will heal. We are very happy that you understand.
One of those who came before us used to sleep on Mom’s neck at night. One morning he woke up and stretched and caught the corner of her eyelid with his claw. OUCH. NEVER EVER did she think of declawing or blaming him.
Hope your ouchie gets better soon.
The Florida Furkids
I was once scratched by a dog I did not know. (He broke the skin through my jeans.) The owner, who was locking the front door at the time, said “He won’t hurt you.”
The other argument I often hear is that dog claws are not as sharp as cat claws. Maybe, but they’re still strong enough to get the job done.
Yes, which is one more reason why i fight against the crazy part of crazy cat lady..
Yes, it happens. Dad had that happen too a long time ago with Moses who is at the Bridge. He was laying on Dad and he got startled and ran up Dad’s face and he had it in Four Paw Drive, back claw right through Dad’s lip. He still has the scar but now it’s a fond memory of dear Moses.
Both of you must have surprised when that happened. Glad it’s healing well! When Goro was small, I got a big scratch from him on my forehead. It wasn’t his fault and I wore the scar proudly 🙂
I hear that double standard here and there. It’s okay for children to ruin the furniture but not okay for kitties. Sadly there are many people that declawing kitties for people’s convenience is totally fine. They don’t understand that they can replace furniture but can’t get new claws once kitties are declawed.
Kitties are never evil…they never do things out of malice!
Beautifully stated and I couldn’t agree with you more. That IS a whopper that you got, but as you well know…ALL of us who have had cats have had ACCIDENTAL scratches through the years! To be honest? I have been ACCIDENTALLY bitten (lightly), by my dog AND scratched as you mentioned.
They are like people with long nails, I am sure people have been accidentally scratched by someone (or themselves!) with long nails too!!!! I know I have…doesn’t mean you rip the nails out.
Haters are always gonna hate!
Wonderful post!
OUCH indeed. Bless Sampy little heart and your sweet cheek.
I had a similar experience with our first Cat, Miky-Way(25 years ago). He too was a snuggler (unlike Madi). We doing just that one day when something startled him…He too jumped straight up but he back daggers were resting on my wrist area…when he jumped they dug into that soft skin. I bled like all get out too. I still have a faint scar but that is okay when I see it I think of him….I hope you won’t have a scar
Hugs madi’s mom
sampson….we noe…. & de food serviss gurl noez…. it bee an ax a dent, & frank lee…. ta hell ina hand baskit ta any one who criticizes yur mom .. any one who haz had a pet oh ANY kind…. haz had a mizz hap….de food serviss gurl still haza scar on her leg wear gram paw dude bited her when him got scared & wuz caught between her and another kitteh who waz on de paddy oh…..
inn deed
any wayz…heerz two a driftwood catfish kinda week oh end !! ♥♥♥
Our mom’s LITTLE SISTER scratched her as a baby — and she has the scars to prove it! But no one suggested SHE was dangerous (although our mom assures us she IS – far more than we three are – MOL!)
Ouch. Not cool.
Cat scratch is nothing! A little hydrogen peroxide then some antibacterial ointment and you’re good to go. We have had and will continue to get cat scratches and most often we are the cause. I have trouble discussing declawing with anyone and use a normal voice. I get screechy
MOL @ Maxwell, Faraday and Allie’s comment. The mom can relate. 😉
We know Sampson didn’t mean it. And we hope it heals quickly.
Yes, accidents happen! And being startled can definitely be one way to have one.
Awesome post! What a great idea to use this an learning opportunity although a shame that it’s still needed in this day and age. I too am astonished and saddened at the lack of knowledge (and prejudice) about kitties.
That is such an adorable picture of Sampson!
That must have hurt:(
We here have had scratches, bites and the like…goes with the territory…
You had that injury almost timed right for Halloween, MOL!
My foster kittens scratch me all the time. They are just babies. They can’t help it.
Ouch! I would do the same though, I don’t mind scratches and I am definitely against declawing.
Even though Spitty was feral and by FAR the most difficult kitty I have ever had, he has never intentionally scratched me. When he was young, he played pretty rough (but in a careless not mean way) and my hands would get kind of torn up. But because it was good interaction, I didn’t want to tell him NO like I did other kitties — so I endured the “wounds” for a few months. One of my co-workers said I was in an abusive relationship, MOL. (She was kidding–I think!)
Yes, accidents happen like that and we know that people can have reactions to cat scratches or bites, Sampy is such a cutie, sweet pic. Happy Halloween to you all!
Ouch! We’re sorry that happened, and we know Sampy didn’t mean it. Accidents happen, for sure. We hope you continue to heal without incident! Hugs!
Goodness, Emily, that is one huge scratch. But we know that Sampy didn’t do it intentionally as he would never set out to hurt you. If you haven’t had a tetanus shot in a few years, you probably should get one, even if you have cleaned the scratch really well. One of our angels put a huge scratch on the palm of my hand the day before I was scheduled for surgery on that hand. Off course, it had to be rescheduled. Years ago, one of our little dogs bit me on the lip and I need 11 stitches. It swelled up so big and turned dark purple. All my co-workers thought I had the biggest cold sore ever. It was my fault it happened. I was playing with Poppy and got too rough with her. We had the front paws of our very first cat declawed, not knowing any better. I always felt liked a monster afterwards. Of course, we would never do that again. We all send lots of love to all, and hope you continue to heal quickly. Astrid sends extra love to Sampy and a kiss for every cat scratch anyone has ever received. Hugs and love, Janet and XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
Glad the scratch is healing. I, too, don’t believe in declawing cats. I’ve received more scratches from my mom’s dog than I’ve ever received from my cats.
Dog claws are much bigger and stronger than kitty claws. Mom has had her arm ripped open more than once from an unruly dog jumping on her and scraping her arms. Did their owners ever even consider declawing?
Same thing happened to me.. I got a big scratch on my face.. But it didnt change my love for my pet cat. How’s ur scar now??
Thank you for writing such an important post!!! I will never understand why such awful stigmas are placed on cats,
Oh, look at that handsome, so sweet face! We’re very sorry yours got banged up a bit, but it will heal. We are very happy that you understand.
Our mom’s LITTLE SISTER scratched her as a baby — and she has the scars to prove it! But no one suggested SHE was dangerous (although our mom assures us she IS – far more than we three are – MOL!)
Thank you for writing such an important post!!! I will never understand why such awful stigmas are placed on cats,
Oh, look at that handsome, so sweet face! We’re very sorry yours got banged up a bit, but it will heal. We are very happy that you understand.
Our mom’s LITTLE SISTER scratched her as a baby — and she has the scars to prove it! But no one suggested SHE was dangerous (although our mom assures us she IS – far more than we three are – MOL!)
Thank you for writing such an important post!!! I will never understand why such awful stigmas are placed on cats,
Oh, look at that handsome, so sweet face! We’re very sorry yours got banged up a bit, but it will heal. We are very happy that you understand.
Our mom’s LITTLE SISTER scratched her as a baby — and she has the scars to prove it! But no one suggested SHE was dangerous (although our mom assures us she IS – far more than we three are – MOL!)