I Stepped On My Cat And Looks Fine...warning Long Text

Dave8014

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Nov 7, 2018
Messages
188
Purraise
135
So everyone knows me by now as I posted so much on this wonderful website. Helped a lot with all my questions about food,asthma and load of other concerns I had. You can tell I worry a great deal and sometimes over worry with my paranoia.

So yesterday I stepped on my cat at about 9 AM. Whats driving me crazy is I don't know where. I walk into my room to go find him. I look everywhere and I couldn't see him. As I walk out of my room I felt something on my foot right before it hit the ground. He was under the blanket. I should of known better. It wasn't a far distance from the cat to the floor. It was almost instant as if the foot slipped off of him and onto the ground. I heard NO NOISE from him at all. He stayed under the cover and dint run away at all. I pick up the blanket and he just stairs at me. I pick him up with no problem to say sorry and check on him. He wasn't angry on scared. Right after he went back to playing with the blanket. Hes running around like normal. Matter of fact He was actually more wild than usual and running everywhere but not away from me. It was playful. I noticed he meowed more but I feel it was more playful or hungry. He didn't meow all the day as a cat in pain would. It could be because I've been out a lot for work and holiday parties. But cats don't show pain easily which is why I worry. I'm just concerned because i don't know where I stepped on him. I was walking rather normal so even if he was laying down I don't think I picked up my foot so high to get his stomach or head. It would of been more of a kick on stomach or head. SO i'm hoping it was just his tail or foot. Yes I rather nothing but better that then his head and stomach or lungs. Its the not knowing where I stepped on him that killing me. He still eats plays and does everything like usual. Yesterday he ate less because I had no wet food. Not eating his new one so I had to order fancy feasts again.

ANYWAY to ease my concern I would go to the vet but for those who know in the one month I had him I went to the vet for a total of 5 times. Yes 5 times. First time was xrays for his asthmsa and breathing concerns. Next was diarrhea. Then diarrhea again. Red gums and so on. Things that turned out to be fine. SO I spent a lot of money and money I dont have. Plus its stressful on my kitten and the last thing I need is to turn into my Italian mom and grandmother who run around to the doctors everyday and feed him 100 times a day. If hes playing around and acting normal should I wait it out till his next visit?
 

Purr-fect

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Apr 20, 2017
Messages
1,843
Purraise
5,563
I would not take him to the vet. I would continue to watch him, especially when he doesnt know you are present.

Look for limping, hesitancy to jump. See if he will chase his toys.

You can gently squeeze and feel his body for swelling, instability of joints and bones and reaction to possible painful areas.

My guess is he is probably ok.

I accidently stepped on greg the other day. He was lying in front of the fridge, I was putting food in the fridge and didnt see him.

Luckily he is ok....im fairly large. I felt sick to my stomach that i had hurt him and that I had betrayed his trust.

Both cats trust that I will not step on them and usually wont move if they are blocking a door or in our path.

Greg is ok and back to blocking walkways. And im more careful.
 

EmersonandEvie

Mom to Evie, Emerson and Dexter
Top Cat
Joined
Jul 25, 2017
Messages
1,691
Purraise
2,769
Location
Northeast Georgia
If I had a dollar for every time I accidentally kicked or stepped on one of my cats while walking to the kitchen or bathroom in the dark...
Your cat is more than likely fine. Like 99.9% chance fine. If you stepped on something hard enough to hurt her, she would show it, i.e. be limping or favoring an area. They're amazingly hardy little creatures...I watched poor Dexter fall from the top of the big 8 foot cat tree (he misjudged a jump) and immediately go back to zooming around. :)
I am very anxious about all my cats too so I completely get where you're coming from. If she is eating, playing, pooping, drinking, etc. all normally, just keep an eye on her for a few days. Get some extra snuggles in.
 

kitty chew

Kitty chew
Adult Cat
Joined
Mar 20, 2016
Messages
276
Purraise
357
Location
Australia
I wouldn't worry too much. And this is coming from someone who worries too much! I have lost count of the times I have stepped on my cats. It feels so awful, but they are always underfoot, or run out of nowhere. I have also shut doors on them as they have run through them. I did it the other day, and worried all afternoon, even though my cat seemed fine. I can tell they know it was an accident, as they never run away, or even seem bothered by it. I just wish they would learn not to get underfoot, or lie on black rugs in the dark. (They are black) One of my cats jumps in the fridge whenever I open it, so I have to be careful when I go to shut the door. She runs from another room to jump in it.
 

Kflowers

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jul 28, 2018
Messages
5,772
Purraise
7,617
this may help for the future. Do not wear hard shoes in the house. Take them off when you come inside. We've gone barefooted and sock-footed for decades. It lets you be aware of what is near and under your foot before you put it down, before you put your weight on it. This means you can keep your balance when you veer off from the cat. It means you are less likely to hurt the cat, or at least do less damage to little paws.

Put your shoes up where cat can't get to the laces. Shoelaces have been places in the great outside and are worth sniffing. Some even consider them a treat to eat.

From your description, and you write very informative descriptions, you give the information we need to understand, I think you may have stepped on a roll of blanket. This inability to tell what you stepped on is another reason to ditch the shoes.

You're doing good. Decent vets would rather see you too often than not enough. I took pup in for bleeding mouth. Vet took her back and returned with her and something in a paper towel. "Here, put this under her pillow, so the tooth faerie can find it." He grinned. He didn't tell me I was wrong to bring her in, because I didn't know what was happening. PS those first three months she got enough x-rays searching for what she might have swallowed, that it's a wonder she didn't glow in the dark.

You're doing good.
 

BlueJay

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Sep 26, 2018
Messages
155
Purraise
218
I've stepped on my cat's foot, hard enough she meowed and ran off. Of course I apologized and gave her some of her favorite treat. She was fine, I threw toys and watched her carefully for signs her paws hurt. I scooped her up and touched them, to make sure they weren't sensitive to touch. She was fine.

Another kitten from her litter, when they were about 6 weeks old, got his paw caught or jumped from too high. He was clearly limping, and didn't want it to be touched. They weren't mine and the owner said they would probably be fine, he was pretty sure it wasn't broken. Even that tiny little kitten was fine after a few days.

Hopefully this is reassuring!
 

SiameseMummy

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Aug 22, 2018
Messages
199
Purraise
472
These things do happen. I've lost track of how many times I've kicked my boy cat because he loves to run at me from behind and then dart in front of my feet as I'm walking - particularly if I'm heading to the kitchen around their feeding times! :gaah:

However, if you do step on a cat hard enough to hurt them they will cry out and it is not a noise you will forget. If your kitty is still acting normal and not hiding or limping I wouldn't take him to the vet now but just keep an eye on him.

A reality of cat ownership is that they will get under your feet! Because of this I would recommend not wearing shoes in the house (socks and slippers only) and making sure blankets and things they may hide under are not left on the floor and try not to open closed doors to fast (mine do not like closed doors so tend to stand right behind them!)
 

Furballsmom

Cat Devotee
Staff Member
Forum Helper
Joined
Jan 9, 2018
Messages
39,270
Purraise
53,927
Location
Colorado US
it is not a noise you will forget.
This is a true statement.
Big Poppy-cat got stepped on, and ever since then he makes sure he is far away from those particular hiking boots. He's getting a little calmer lately, but...
 

Purr-fect

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Apr 20, 2017
Messages
1,843
Purraise
5,563
Good advice.

We dont wear shoes in the house, just slippers or stocking feet.

If something doesnt feel, right when I out my foot down, I instinctively lift it back up.

If the room is dark or my eyes havent adjusted, I shuffle my feet slowly so I wont step ON a cat.

But accidents till happen.

My boys block my path and expect me to walk around them, which I do, if i see them.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #10

Dave8014

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Nov 7, 2018
Messages
188
Purraise
135
Thank you all for such great responses. I feel so much better now. When I stepped on him I had no shoes and only socks. He’s still acting normal. But of course when I stop worrying about one thing I start to worry about another thing. So 4 days ago I receive a package with my cats new ceramic bowl. It came broken into pieces. So I put it back into the box and flip it over so my cat can’t get into it. I saw two days ago he was playing with the boxes I had in the corner and went on to his other things. I saw him licking by the boxes over the next two days. I went to go clean up and return the boxes to amazon and noticed some broken pieces of ceramic on my stool. The last time I saw him play there was two days ago. I’m seriously scared that he may have eaten or licked them. I didn’t even notice them till today! I checked his mouth and no cuts that I can see. No blood. Just red gums from the teething. Stool is normal and no blood. Acting normal just like said above with the stepping situation. I almost want to leave work right now and get xrays. Just can’t afford it. I cleaned everything. Not sure if I should repost it in another thread since it’s a new topic. I’ve just been so careless these last three days and feel terrible about forgetting that box on my stool
 

FeebysOwner

TCS Member
Staff Member
Forum Helper
Joined
Jun 13, 2018
Messages
22,429
Purraise
33,189
Location
Central FL (Born in OH)
Hi. I would start another post about this. If you found most of the pieces, that's good. He could have licked up crumbles, but would he really? I think watching him eating and drinking and keeping an eye on his stool would be enough. Surely, you didn't find a whole bunch of ceramic debris missing?? If his behavior changes at all, then it might be worth pursuing with a full abdominal x-ray - or whatever the vet thinks would show up any ceramic he might have ingested.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #13

Dave8014

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Nov 7, 2018
Messages
188
Purraise
135
Well there was only a few pieces. The bowl was huge and all the broken pieces stayed in the box. Just a bit of debris was on there and he was playing with it like two days ago.the debris probably fell out a bit when he pushed the box. Other than that nothing out of the ordinary
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #14

Dave8014

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Nov 7, 2018
Messages
188
Purraise
135
These things do happen. I've lost track of how many times I've kicked my boy cat because he loves to run at me from behind and then dart in front of my feet as I'm walking - particularly if I'm heading to the kitchen around their feeding times! :gaah:

However, if you do step on a cat hard enough to hurt them they will cry out and it is not a noise you will forget. If your kitty is still acting normal and not hiding or limping I wouldn't take him to the vet now but just keep an eye on him.

A reality of cat ownership is that they will get under your feet! Because of this I would recommend not wearing shoes in the house (socks and slippers only) and making sure blankets and things they may hide under are not left on the floor and try not to open closed doors to fast (mine do not like closed doors so tend to stand right behind them!)
Yeah for sure m. I’m sure I would of heard something. Since my mind goes a hundred different miles per hour with worry I tell myself or worry myself I stepped on his face and he couldn’t even yell. Most likely my paranoia lol. Ahhh I just love my cat so much
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #15

Dave8014

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Nov 7, 2018
Messages
188
Purraise
135
I'm guessing he was more interested in the boxes....
Hang in there!
I think he was. Last night I was inspecting him thoroughly and nothing. I couldn't stop thinking about it since those pieces were there for days. I know he only tries to chew like wool and paper towels but he never eats it. He knows what food is. I got curious. I found a piece of the ceramic (not super sharp) and wanted to see how interested he was. I dropped it on the floor while holding him and my hand by his mouth and prepared to pick him up. All he did was smell and second time he thought I was playing and tried to swat it away. So its safe to say he didn't swallow anything the days before. Couldn't help but feel guilty like a bad parent doing that but it was out of love and I wasn't thinking straight but I had him close to me prepared to move him. Right now hes playing and I'm looking at new kitties to adopt! Next time I go to the vet ll have xrays done for a full check up of everything to ease my mind. Hopefully healthy paws covers that
 

Furballsmom

Cat Devotee
Staff Member
Forum Helper
Joined
Jan 9, 2018
Messages
39,270
Purraise
53,927
Location
Colorado US
I think you're in the clear, and best of luck with everything! Let us know how things go, and we'd LOVE to see pictures of your new kitties :)
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #17

Dave8014

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Nov 7, 2018
Messages
188
Purraise
135
I think you're in the clear, and best of luck with everything! Let us know how things go, and we'd LOVE to see pictures of your new kitties :)
I will. Plus i noticed the ceramic isn't any sharper or bigger than his baby teeth that cats usually swallow so that made me feel better. I wanted a Bengal cat but unfortunately cant find any to adopt :( I rather adopt than buy so i can bring home a cat that needs a home
 

Kflowers

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jul 28, 2018
Messages
5,772
Purraise
7,617
One of my dogs discovered the ceramic cat bowls. I found this maybe 15 minutes after the fact. The bowls were broken and sparkly clean. No one showed any signs of trouble from it - none. I bought the cats wooden salad bowls. I was told they wouldn't be able to see the brown food in the brown bowl, but it didn't slow them down. The puppy did manage to eat one of those bowls before I noticed. (I was a first time puppy mom. The cats never ate their bowls.) The older dogs just watched her do and said nothing to her or me. She was fine. I watched the cats eat after that.

Now would be the time to buy a large out door trashcan with a locking top. It's not really a lock it clicks into place. That way it's easy to throw things away, you don't have to think about it. Most cats have a hard time opening these trash cans (they are supposed to be dog proof. Some are.) even if they contain egg shell.

If you are still nervous about throwing things away, I understand this, truly I do, freeze meat scraps and bones, and throw them away on trash day.

I know what you mean about worrying. The best thing it to anticipate and plan how to prevent accidents. Some can't be anticipated, some can.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #20

Dave8014

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Nov 7, 2018
Messages
188
Purraise
135
One of my dogs discovered the ceramic cat bowls. I found this maybe 15 minutes after the fact. The bowls were broken and sparkly clean. No one showed any signs of trouble from it - none. I bought the cats wooden salad bowls. I was told they wouldn't be able to see the brown food in the brown bowl, but it didn't slow them down. The puppy did manage to eat one of those bowls before I noticed. (I was a first time puppy mom. The cats never ate their bowls.) The older dogs just watched her do and said nothing to her or me. She was fine. I watched the cats eat after that.

Now would be the time to buy a large out door trashcan with a locking top. It's not really a lock it clicks into place. That way it's easy to throw things away, you don't have to think about it. Most cats have a hard time opening these trash cans (they are supposed to be dog proof. Some are.) even if they contain egg shell.

If you are still nervous about throwing things away, I understand this, truly I do, freeze meat scraps and bones, and throw them away on trash day.

I know what you mean about worrying. The best thing it to anticipate and plan how to prevent accidents. Some can't be anticipated, some can.
So your dog ate broken pieces of ceramic and was fine? Thats good to know. Meaning I'm a bit less worried and also happy your puppy was fine. I think i'm def over worrying. My cat is fine and playing but I look at him like a fragile piece of glass all the time. He didn't seem not a bit interested in the ceramic piece i intentionally dropped last night to test him out (obviously prepared to remove him). Was just trying to see how he would react and see if he ever ate it before when i wasn't home. Shouldn't of had put him at risk at even licking it but i was cautious. Def felt guilty about it like i betrayed his trust. All out of love tho. I have OCD. Like diagnosed OCD so this is why I post a thousand things on this website. I think I need to see a doctor before my cat does haha!
 
Top