You may have experienced accidentally stepped on your cat whether fumbling through the darkness at night or even when there is sufficient light. Most probably, it was a traumatic incident especially if your cat was injured. How should you handle this situation properly?
I accidentally stepped on my cat: What to do
If you accidentally stepped on your cat, check her immediately to ensure she is fine. Approach her carefully and calmly as she understandably is a bit on the edge. Check her for injuries and engage in some of her favorite activities and give her treats and cuddles to let her know that you care for her.
Here are the steps that you should take if you accidentally stepped on your cat:
Approach your cat carefully and calmly.
A cat’s usual reaction when she is hurt is to meow or yowl loudly and run away or hide under the bed or furniture. Some cats may react aggressively by nipping or biting you before running away. If your cat scampers and hides from you, try to approach her carefully and talk to her in a soothing voice. Offer her some treats to entice her to come out from hiding. Caress and pat her gently and be sure to calm her.
Be sure to pamper your cat.
Once you have finished checking your cat and making sure that there is no damage or injury, let your cat feel that you are sorry. Pamper her with attention and cuddle and let her feel that you’re sorry for what happened.
Give your cat some treats, cuddle and snuggle with her, spend time with her by playing games, and give her toys to make her happy and to keep her active.
Be sure to check your cat for any injury or wound.
Once you succeeded in getting near her and caressing her, the next thing to do is to check your cat for any injury or wound. Let her sit on a bed or couch and check her body for bruises or wounds. Gently lift her legs, one by one, and observe if she cries out in pain. Try to check for fractures and check if she won’t sit down all the way. Check her toes, poke around her back, and at the length of her tail and see if she does not react negatively.
If you notice a bruise or scrape, keep an eye on it and if the area is moist, gently clean it with a warm, damp washcloth. You may also apply a small amount of antibiotic ointment like Neosporin to the area. Rub it well and do it at least twice daily until it is healed and fur will eventually regrow. However, if the area becomes swollen and starts to bleed, bring your cat to the vet right away.
Encourage your cat to walk a bit to see if she is limping or if there is a fracture or broken leg. If you feel that there is a possibility of fractures or internal damage, bring your cat to the vet immediately.
Bring her outside to have some fresh air, if possible.
If possible, after checking your cat, pampering her, and making sure she is okay, try to take her outside for some fresh air. This way, you will calm her nerves, but most importantly, it will also allow you to calm yourself, too. You may carry her in your arms especially if she limps a little, and go for a short walk for at least a few minutes. This will help both of you to relax and calm yourself.
Closely monitor your cat for a few weeks after the incident.
There are rare cases wherein a cat may manifest symptoms after a few days following an accident. Make sure to monitor your cat for a few weeks and look out for any unusual behavior. Observe if there are changes in your cat’s eating habits and in her litter box habits. Also, be observant because while a cat may look fine physically, she may already have internal wounds.
If you notice any alarming changes in her behavior and demeanor, bring her to the vet immediately for a thorough checkup.
Conclusion
If you accidentally stepped on your cat, it is normal to worry or even feel guilt. Check your cat immediately for any injury but approach her carefully and gently. Do a physical examination and check that she does not yowl or cry in pain when you lift her legs or tail. Encourage her to walk and give her treats. Pamper her with lots of cuddles and let her feel that you are sorry.
Monitor your cat for at least a week and should she manifest any unusual behavior, bring her to the vet at once for a thorough checkup.