Cats have more legs than humans do. Despite that fact, they still limp when they have their legs hurt. Limping cats can be caused by several conditions, as stated in causes of limping in cats.
Limping in cats occurs because of some reasons, such as the injury or debilitation of one or more parts of the legs, such as the joints, bones, muscles, nerves, tendons or skin. Limping in cats can also be caused by broken bone or dislocated joint, and as a result it will cause selling.
Another reason of limping in cats is infections, such as nail beds or infections. Limping in cats can be more serious than others. So, as a cat parent, you have to provide first aid to assess the limp.
Notice the symptoms of limping, such as stiffness, inability to walk, loss of appetite, uninterested to do some physical activities and lethargy. Get to know more about lethargy in cats.
You may start questioning on how you should treat a limping cat. Besides treatment from a vet, there are some things you can do at home to treat limping. Here they are the 5 ways of treating limping in cats you can simply do at home.
How to Treat Limping in Cats
Limping in cats is mostly treated by
the vet, but there are some things you can do to treat limping cats. These ways
are able to prevent your cat to get worse conditions. The ways of treatment are classified into two,
based on the severity of the problems. Here they are:
Minor Problems
- Remove the Debris from the Cat’s Paw
One of the causes of limping in cats is the debris in the
cat’s paw. If you find any debris in your cat’s paw, you can simply wipe the
cat’s paw by using a damp washcloth. You can use tweezers to remove the debris
lodged in the paw, such as a splinter. After removing it, you can apply a
cat-friendly antiseptic.
- Clean and Bandage Soft Tissue Wounds
Your cat might be limping because of the minor cut or laceration on your cat’s leg or paw. If it’s bleeding, you can also apply the direct pressure to the wound by using a clean cloth or sterile gauze for around 5 to 10 minutes. Then, make sure to clean the wound with clean water or antiseptic solution and apply a bandage too.
Cats are also exposed to claw fungus, make sure you follow these simple home remedies to treat cat claw fungus. It is always good to see your cat clean and happy, isn’t it?
More Serious Problems
- Look for Some Signs of Broken Bones and Fractures
There are some serious problems causing cat to limp, such as broken bones and fractures. You have to be aware of the signs of broken bones in cats, such as moaning, growling or crying if touched, showing discomfort while handling your cat, swelling on the affected area and inability to walk.
Cats are unable to tell you that they feel the pain, so it is important to notice these signs. If you notice these signs, make sure to contact your vet.
- Check Whether Your Cat Has an Infected Wound
Infected wound can prevent your cat from walking and affect its eating and grooming habits as well. You can simply check and examine your cat’s legs and paws for any presence of lumps, cuts, scrapes or bites from other animals. These conditions might indicate infection and it needs to be treated as soon as possible. You can take your cat to the vet once you notice these symptoms.
If your cat has some wounds, you can apply these home remedies to treat cat wounds as they are easy and practical to do!
- Watch for Any Signs of Arthritis
One of the causes of limping in cats is arthritis. Arthritis is simply a condition when the cat is unable to move as she experiences a painful joint. This condition can be severe if it is not treated.
Watch for the signs of arthritis, such as changes in litter box habits, not interested in any physical activities and hesitancy to jump or run. If you notice one of these symptoms, then contact your vet for a further examination and long-term treatment plan.
Cats are exposed to have some problems, both health and mental problems. As a cat parent, you should be knowledgeable about these two issues. Perhaps these articles might help you to overcome those problems. Check signs of depressed cat and these common diseases of cat.