You are sitting peacefully, minding your business, and then a small paw reaches out and taps you with the gentlest extension of what is technically a weapon. Congratulations, you are a cat owner. When the claws come out, you know it is not in aggression, but just the casual way of a creature that has never once considered your feelings and is not about to start. It is, inexplicably, the cutest thing that has ever happened to you.
Cat claws have destroyed furniture, shredded curtains, and punctured the dignity of everyone who has ever tried to pick up a cat that did not want to be picked up. They are also, when photographed up close, completely unreasonable in how adorable they are. A Reddit page has dedicated its feed to showing us that both things can be true at once.
The fix is to flush the scratch under warm running water with antibacterial soap for at least 30 to 60 seconds, apply an antibiotic ointment, and use hydrocortisone cream or an antihistamine if the itch is getting out of hand.
Given how darn cute all these kitties are, you won't be mad for long. Because there is something hypnotising about the void. Staring into those big round eyes makes it like a siren call for the claw. And we will never learn our lesson.
Can you resist the urge to reach out when the claws come out?
