Uh oh, your cat has come home limping – what could be the problem? And what should you do?

Common causes of limping in cats

Some of the most common causes of sudden limping in outdoor cats include soft tissue injuries from cat fights or orthopaedic (bone and joint) injuries caused by falls or road traffic accidents. Older cats may also start limping due to flare-ups in pre-existing arthritis, particularly if they have landed awkwardly after a jump.

In the Great Southern region, cats may show changes in their ability to walk due to generalised weakness from a snake bite.

What should you do?

If your cat comes home limping, try to calmly and gently check them over.

Firstly, assess your cat’s general demeanour – are they being normally interactive, or do they seem lethargic or in pain? Are they favouring one particular leg, or not using both hindlimbs properly, or seeming generally weak and wobbly?

Secondly, if your cat will let you, gently feel all over them, palpating for any wounds, swollen areas or painful spots.

We’d recommend a prompt vet visit if your pet:

• Seems generally lethargic or weak
• Seems to be very painful or swollen in one area
• Has been limping for more than 48 hours
• Is refusing their normal meals, or isn’t drinking or urinating normally

What is not recommended

Unfortunately, well-meaning owners sometimes cause harm when trying to administer pain relief medication to their pets, which just isn’t appropriate.

We would not recommend administering:

• Paracetamol, which is toxic to cats
• Any pain relief medication that was not prescribed for that specific pet
• Any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory products (such as meloxicam) if your pet is not eating/drinking properly or could be dehydrated

If in doubt, please don’t hesitate to call our feline-friendly team for personalised advice!