Why is my senior cat limping?
Lameness in older cats is often due to arthritis setting in. This is a very common condition but often unrecognized disorder in older cats. Unfortunately, recognizing arthritis in cats is challenging at best. Many cats hide their pain very effectively.
Why does my older cat have a limp?
Arthritis is a very common cause of limping and stiffness in older cats. This is often mistaken for getting old and ‘slowing up’. Minor injuries tend to be the most common cause of limping or stiffness in younger cats because they spend a lot of their time exploring.
When to take your limping cat to the vet?
The first thing you need to do is to let her relax. When she is relaxed and lying down, closely inspect her leg and paw for redness and swelling. Gently touch her paw pads and the area around to see if she flinches or meows with pain.
What should I do if my cat is limping on his front paw?
If your cat is limping on their front paw, carefully examine their paw pad. Look at the skin for signs of wounds and don’t forget to look between their toes. While cats are generally cautious animals, it is possible they have stood on something they shouldn’t. If they have a splinter on their food, then they should have it removed.
What kind of cat is most likely to have a limp?
It is more common in purebreds, and more likely in female than male cats. Heavy boned cats, such as the Maine coon and the Persian have higher rates than most, but it can affect small boned cats as well. Some cats require surgery; the decision for whether your cat will undergo surgery will depend on your cat’s size and age.
What should you do if your cat is limping?
If your cat is limping, you may fear that it has a broken bone. Cats experience broken bones due to impact injuries. This may involve road traffic accidents or falling from a height. If your cat is limping, check the leg in question. Just because a bone is not protruding, it does not mean it isn’t broken. The cat may have a minor fracture.
Why does my senior cat walk with a limp?
The likeliest explanation for limping in senior cats is arthritis. Cats of any age can develop this condition. It becomes worsens as a cat’s age reaches double figures. It is unlikely that a cat aged 12 or older will not be arthritic. The first sign of arthritis in cats is a slowing of physical activity.
Is it normal for a cat to limp?
A cat who limps is in pain. Since a kitty will never complain about pain or other symptoms, it’s up to you to pay attention to your pet and take her in for professional treatment when needed, Lascelles says. “Cat owners should not assume pain will go away on its own. Pain should be investigated.”
How old is a 16 year old cat?
By age 16 your cat’s physical and mental development is very much like that of an 80-year-old person. She has definitely slowed down physically (relative to her prime adult years)and may have developed a number of health problems.