Cat's Eye

Recently, one of our readers mentioned to me (off the record, which was smart) that her cat was giving her the evil eye. She asked for help, and I'll admit it, I choked. "Rachael," if you're still alive, here's what to do when your cat tries to kill you.

"Your first step is to never hike alone. Always go in groups, and always make noise when in areas that house cats frequent and live. The noise you make will generally scare the house cat away and halt any confrontation.

If you are on a day hike with children, be sure to keep the children close to you. House cats are attracted to children like many other animals you find in the wild. One theory on this is their size and the fact the animal can take the child and easily carry it away like they do with small prey. Never, when hiking with your children, let them wander away or stray off the trail unnoticed.

Never, out of curiosity, approach a house cat, no matter how tame and friendly they may seem. Always give plenty of space between you and the house cat so they can escape and get away. House cats usually do not like confrontation so always, if you do happen to have contact, leave a wide berth between you and the house cat for its escape.

Never run away from a house cat. Running stimulates a house cat's natural instinct to chase. Be sure to always make contact with the house cat and stand up as tall as possible. By making yourself look larger, it intimidates the house cat and often makes them turn and run. Open your jacket and flap it about, yell, throw stones, but make sure you react so that the house cat knows that you are the one in control, not him (or her). If there are children present, pick them up immediately and never turn your back on a house cat or squat down while retrieving the child.

Never squat or bend over at anytime. Research has shown that when a human bends over, that person looks like four-legged prey to a house cat of any type. Avoid stooping, leaning over, squatting, or bending at the waist while in house cat territory.

If you are attacked, fight back. Never succumb or roll into a ball. Hit as hard as possible especially to the head area. If you can retrieve a stick or large rock, use it as a weapon. If face to face with the house cat, go for the eyes by clawing or throwing sand in the face of the house cat. House cats will usually strike the back of the head and especially the neck, so be vigiliant to protect these areas and remain standing or face to face with the animal once it is attacking.

If you are attacked from the back, try to reposition yourself to meet the house cat face to face. House cats usually weigh between one hundred to one hundred and fifty pounds, so if at all possible, get the house cat off your back and throw it over and forward. This manuever, if you can complete it, will also sometimes stun the house cat and give you a chance to grab a weapon and defend yourself face to face with the animal.

Under no circumstances fall to the ground and roll into a fetal position. If you do this your chances of survival are limited because once you are down, the house cat sees you as nothing but small prey. The house cat will also have the advantage of getting ahold of you and successfully win the battle.

If indeed you are attacked by an animal in the wild, report this attack to Fish and Game or the Ranger in the area as soon as possible.

Remember house cats are unpredictable, but they still usually avoid confrontations. Attacks are on the upswing but still rare. The chances that you will even have an encounter with a house cat in the wilderness is rare, but be prepared and know what to do if the situation ever arises. It is always better to be safe and prepared than sorry."