I have been training my cat to walk on the harness. I have taken him down the basement steps before on the harness. Today however, we had a horrible thing happen. He slipped and I don't know what happened but he hit the ground hard and then was screaming bloody murder and was jumping -- obviously making it worse. I had to get it off. So I put my hands down there and they got bit, HARD. FULL MOUTH, Clamp, like there was no tomorrow. I can't tell you how horrible it was he was jumping like a jumping bean and each time he would scream like he was being sliced every time he landed. I still don't know what happened.

I got it off, he went running. He appears to be ok. I am not.

I sustained 4 large bites to my hands. Both on the outer fingers -- thumb and pinky. I had to go to the ER and get antibiotics. Both fingers have swollen up so bad I can hardly use them. Very painful.

At first I was very angry at me and at my cat.. but when I got home from the doctor my cat rolled over and spread out his legs, telling me, i think, he was ok and wanted to make up.

It was just horrible.

[MuseumGhost]

((((huggggg)))), EFS. There are some cats that take to a harness alright, and then some that get very very nervous in it, and things 'happen'. It's a risky exercise.

My two cats are very different creatures, yet they remain very bonded. However, one has been trained (happily, for all of us) to go out to the garage with us on the leash and harness, where he can get more fresh air and enjoy his outdoor realm; and the other (girl) kitty is perfectly content to never go outside...and cannot, to this day, even be comfortably picked up (let alone, restrained in any way.).

Cats are....just still so individual, and independent creatures...and also still retain an amazing amount of their original wildness.

I'm glad your cat is alright! And I really hope your wounds heal quickly and are trouble-free. I know your cat will overlook this incident...but I'd wait a long time before attempting anything like this again....or perhaps, as we do, pick him up and carry those few feet where harnesses pose a problem (stairs, the back door area).

From one cat Mom to another.....

the harness is in the trash never to be used again.

[Unrigged64072835]

Sorry to hear that happened to you and your cat.

Like MuseumGhost said, cats can be different as far as using a harness is concerned. My daughter's cat can put up with it as long as she's in a small space. My cat would never put up with it.

If you still want to take your cat outside, consider a pet stroller. It may cost some but at least he will be enclosed and safe.

Originally Posted by Fharraige

If you still want to take your cat outside, consider a pet stroller. It may cost some but at least he will be enclosed and safe.

I did try that but my cat is a big strong boy. 18 lbs. And the moment he discovered that the mesh wasn't very strong he started trying to get out. I didn't feel it was safe.