Just Saved a Life

Holy cow, Batman. These 13oz cans of cat food with the
pull off lids are lethal to cats. They stick their heads in an
empty can and then can't get it out. Its happened twice
in the last few months and I don't know how they get the
can, I'm really careful about getting rid of them.

Usually I hear them thrashing around and pull the can
right off. Just now I heard the thrashing and the can didn't
come right off. I was pulling very hard and the cat was
scratching my hand like crazy. It still wouldn't come
off and I started to panic! I put the cat down and said
'just relax' to myself and I grabbed the cat again in my
left arm and was twisting the can and pulling really hard
as the cat was lacerating my right hand. Finally it popped
off and the cat just sat there panting for breath. Her ears
are all bloody and I don't even care, she can heal from that.
She would have been dead if I wasn't there.

My hands were covered with blood and I have bandaids
all over them, the long cuts on my index finger are deep
and I have white tape over the bandaid holding it tight.
The worst part of this for me was I was really starting
to have a panic attack when the can wouldn't come off.
When I put her down so I could calm myself and she
just laid there not moving, I got real calm and knew I
only had a few seconds or she was going die from not
enough air. That feeling was amazing, it allowed me
to do what was needed.

Remember this story if you have cats.

Quote: EvenBob

I don't know how they get the can

They get into someone's trash?

A cat never understands you are trying to help it.

Quote: odiousgambit

A cat never understands you are trying to help it.

Nope. They aren't capable of linear thought. She
looks at me now very suspiciously, like the whole
thing was my fault. Ingrate..

I would have opened the other side of the can to gain time. Then I would probably apply some water to the rim and try to gently free her. If that would not work I would try it with some cooking oil. Last measurement would be to carefully cut her out beginning from the opened side untill you can massage her out.

I thought of opening the can, which would have been
hard, but it has a rounded bottom and I couldn't use
a regular opener. She was fading fast, it was almost
an airtight fit.

better idea