Cat limping: causes, symptoms and treatments

Author: John Stephens
Date Of Creation: 23 January 2021
Update Date: 6 November 2024
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Limping Cat? Try this Holistic Antibiotic and Natural Pain Killer
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It is not always easy to detect lameness in a cat, as these animals are able to withstand long before manifesting overt symptoms of discomfort. However, if you've ever noticed that it's difficult for him to walk, you're likely to worry when you notice your cat limping, what can it be?

In this article by PeritoAnimal, we will review the most common causes. Except for minor injuries, we should always go to our veterinarian, as we may be facing an injury as serious as a fracture, which will require, in many cases, surgery. The limping cat may also be due to an infection that will likewise need to be veterinary treatment. Check the causes in detail below.


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Cat limping on one paw but doesn't complain

To know why our cat limps, the first thing is examine the member affected. if you see the cat limping on the front paw, we might think that you were hurt when you jump on something, like a hot glass ceramic. We should observe the paw looking for injuries, especially in the pillows and between fingers. Note that a cat's limping hind paw may also be due to a wound, such as a bite or scratch that may have been made by playing with other animals.


If the lesions are light and superficial, we can disinfect them at home and monitor their evolution. Soon the cat should support perfectly. He will always try to hide his illnesses, so even if he limps, it is normal that he does not complain or express the pain.

Next, we'll explain lameness for injuries that will require veterinary attention.

My cat is limping and with a swollen paw

A cause that could explain the limping cat, we saw that it could be a wound. Sometimes they look scarred on the outside, but the truth is that an infection is developing inside. This is more common in bite wounds, as numerous bacteria inhabit the mouth of animals that are transmitted at the time of bite.

An infection that develops under the skin may explain the inflammation of a paw. Sometimes this swelling reduces to a specific point. In these cases, we will note that the cat has a ball in his paw. What is known by the name of abscess, that is, the accumulation of pus in a cavity under the skin. But a lump can also be caused by a tumor, so a good diagnosis is important.


If our cat has these inflammations, we should go to the vet, as he will need antibiotics, good disinfection and, in more complicated cases, drainage.

How to tell if a cat's paw is broken

One trauma may explain why our cat suddenly limps. A fall from a considerable height or being run over can crack, dislocate, or fracture a limb. It is likely that there are no other pain symptoms, as we have already explained, but note that the cat does not support the hind or front paw can give us a clue as to what happened.

In the most serious cases, the cat limps and shakes due to shock. You may have dilated pupils, visible bleeding or lesions, breathing difficulties, etc... This can happen after a window fall, in what is known as parachute cat syndrome.

He has more symptoms or not, a sudden lameness is reason for veterinary consultation. If we know that the cat was run over or fell, a visit to the clinic is mandatory because, although there are no external injuries, there may be a broken paw, internal damage, bleeding or pneumothorax.

The veterinarian will decide whether or not a fracture requires surgery, as some can be resolved with dressing or rest. If we operate, we must know that the post-operative period is very important. We will have to keep the cat quiet and give it pain medication and to prevent infections. Cats generally recover very well from these trauma interventions.

cat with difficulty walking sometimes

Problems such as feline osteoarthritis may explain why a cat intermittently limps. The truth is that, in addition to lameness, we will observe a strange movement, with the rigid limbs, especially when the cat gets up after a period of rest. When walking a little, it seems to walk normally, which confuses caregivers.

With arthrosis problems, other symptoms appear that may go unnoticed or we attribute them to the animal's age, as they are more common diseases in the elderly. It is difficult, we insist, to identify the pain in a cat, but we can see that it eats less, spends almost all time resting without relating to the family, avoids jumping, loses muscle mass, stops using the litter box or not clean.

The treatment is pharmacological and may include food suplements that protect the joints. The environment should be modified to help the cat's mobility, using a low-walled litter box, an accessible furniture arrangement, a comfortable bed away from drafts, and brushing to contribute to its cleanliness. In addition, it is essential to control excess weight, if any.

cat limping and with fever

Other times, the explanation of why a lame cat is a infectious disease. A very common one is caused by feline calicivirus. Although it is associated with respiratory and ocular symptoms, the truth is that this highly contagious and disseminated virus can also cause lameness, arthritis, plus fever and the classic symptoms of conjunctivitis, mouth lesions, or nasal discharge.

As with all viral illnesses, treatment is based on support and administration of medications to reduce symptoms or prevent secondary infections. As prevention is always better than cure, it is recommended to vaccinate all cats against this virus which, although it usually causes a curable disease, there are highly virulence strains capable of killing a cat quickly.

Finally, after vaccination against calicivirus, a state characterized by lameness and fever may appear, which refers without major consequences, although, of course, we must go to the vet.

Other worrying signs

Difficulty walking is a serious problem. In addition to this symptom, it is worth paying attention to other serious signs. We explain some of them in the video below:

This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.