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Tuesday, October 14, 2025

My Cat Is Limping However Nonetheless Leaping and Working, What’s Flawed? Vet Accredited Recommendation


Disclaimer: This text has been fact-checked and reviewed by a professional veterinarian utilizing info obtainable on the time of assessment. Nevertheless, the aim of this text is to not substitute a veterinary examination and recommendation however moderately present a normal information to medical and behavioral situations. Cat homeowners are urged to hunt tailor-made recommendation for his or her pet from a veterinary skilled. The views and opinions expressed on this article are these of the author.

It’s at all times a worrisome second after we discover one thing incorrect with our pets. We don’t like to consider our beloved feline pals being injured, damage, or feeling unwell, particularly as they will’t communicate to us to tell us what might have occurred or how they’re feeling. Nor can they perceive our providing of reassuring phrases to them in the identical manner a baby or associate can.

In case your cat has began limping but they’re nonetheless leaping and working round, you could be questioning what may very well be incorrect with them. In reality, you would possibly suppose nothing is admittedly incorrect in any respect since they’re nonetheless darting round.

That is the place totally different communication and understanding wants to come back in. Your cat can’t inform you what’s incorrect, however limping is a certain signal that they should get checked out by a vet, even when they’re nonetheless working and leaping. Let’s have a look at among the potential causes.

3 cat face divider

Why Is My Cat Limping however Not Exhibiting Indicators of Ache?

Whereas cats are predatory animals and may usually be thought of to be fairly ruthless creatures, they fortunately and fearlessly hunt mice, birds, and different small prey. Nevertheless, regardless of this, they’re additionally prey animals. Maybe due to the hazard of being one other animal’s goal, an intuition to not present or show ache (harm and sickness) stays in cats, regardless that they’re domesticated and never wild.

Cats gained’t clearly categorical ache until completely important or the ache or sickness has reached a degree the place they not have the choice however to display their ache or vulnerability.

Whereas there are numerous causes for his or her limping, which we’ll have a look at subsequent, don’t assume your cat isn’t in ache or feeling pressured simply because they’re nonetheless leaping, working, and so on. On the whole, your cat is shifting their weight as a result of one thing is sore. Alternatively, there may very well be a nerve drawback. There are delicate indicators of ache you may be careful for, however any limp ought to be trigger for concern.

red tabby cat in pain walking on grass outdoor
Picture Credit score: lagunabluemolly, Pixabay

Causes of Cat Limping

Cats don’t limp for no motive, so for those who see that they’re lame both on their entrance leg or again leg, it wants investigating. The severity can vary from a light limp all the way in which to non-weight bearing. Generally, it is only one limb, however not at all times. There are a mess of causes behind the limping, and this can should be checked out and identified by your veterinarian.

A few of the commonest causes of limping in cats embody:

  • Fracture or dislocation
  • Sprain or pressure
  • A international physique, reminiscent of a thorn, caught within the paw or paw pad
  • Damaged or torn nail
  • Ingrown nail
  • An infection
  • Nerve injury
  • Arthritis
  • Tumor (anyplace on the affected limb, not simply the paw)
  • Cat chunk or abscess
  • Ligament or tendon harm
  • Bruising
  • Wound (cuts, lacerations, or grazes)
  • Burns (warmth, chilly, or chemical)
wounded paw of a cat
Picture Credit score: Phatara, Shutterstock

Indicators Your Cat Is in Ache

As mentioned, your cat will present extra delicate indicators of ache than apparent ones. These indicators might turn into extra obvious because the ache continues or will increase, however studying the best way to learn felines is a significant profit to their well being. It means you may act faster and your kitty receives assist sooner as an alternative of the issue worsening and their well-being declining.

  • Limping itself is an indication of ache and never the precise drawback or trigger
  • Lowered consuming or not consuming
  • Sleeping extra/ much less exercise
  • Sleeping in a distinct space than regular
  • Behavioral modifications
  • Aggression
  • Retreating or hiding
  • Being extra vocal or louder
  • Not pleased once you contact or stroke them
  • Pull the affected limb away from you for those who attempt to contact or study it
  • Licking painful space
cat lying on the floor hiding behind the curtain
Picture Credit score: Mantikorra, Shutterstock

Ought to I Go to the Vet?

Limping or any different signal of ache and discomfort is at all times price a visit to your veterinarian or no less than a telephone name, particularly if you can even see different indicators of discomfort or if the lameness has continued for greater than 12–24 hours. It’s higher to err on the facet of warning. When you are ready in your session, maintain your cat rested.

Therapy for a Limping Cat

To diagnose the reason for your cat’s limp, your vet should examine the problem additional. This may and certain will take quite a lot of routes and might be totally different for every cat. There are numerous examination instruments and coverings obtainable, however the ones your cat will obtain might be depending on the findings and the trigger discovered.

Listed here are just a few frequent examples of investigations and coverings your vet might prescribe. They might use considered one of these, all of them, or order additional checks and coverings not talked about right here.

  • Bodily examination
  • Blood checks
  • Urine checks
  • X-Rays
  • Ultrasound scans or MRI
  • Additional and extra detailed examination below sedation or anesthesia
  • Surgical procedure
  • Wound flushing and care
  • Bandage or dressing assist
  • Medicine (oral or injectable), reminiscent of antibiotics and painkillers
maine coon cat at the vet with owner
Picture Credit score: Gorodenkoff, Shutterstock

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Conclusion

Cats are advanced and mysterious animals, and we love them for it. Nevertheless, limping is a certain signal of ache and that one thing is incorrect, even when they will nonetheless run round and leap onto the sofa.

The intuition to not seem susceptible is as robust right now in domesticated cats because it was with their wild ancestors and fellow large cat pals. Don’t ignore a limp pondering they’re okay simply because they’re shifting quite a bit. As a substitute, have them checked over by a vet to forestall the state of affairs from worsening and in order that your cat can obtain the proper therapy moderately than be uncomfortable longer than crucial.


Featured Picture Credit score: Nils Jacobi, Shutterstock

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