Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

My cat's leg is broken. Can it heal by itself or does it need a vet?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male

My cat's behind leg broken right the dot _./ Can it heal by itself? (left one)

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on February 17th, 2018

I would take your cat into a vet immediately. This will be extremely painful for him, and he needs treatment for the broken leg. Leaving it untreated can lead it to heal incorrectly affecting his ability to walk. It can also cause nerve damage. Unfortunately you cannot give him any human pain medications, as many human ones are toxic to cats and are fatal if given. He absolutely needs veterinary treatment for it, please take him into a vet now. Good luck!

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA
Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist
Published on August 12th, 2017
If you think that the cat has a fractured limb, I recommend that he see a vet as soon as possible. Broken legs are very painful, and the quicker that it can be fixed the better it will heal without long-term pain. Unfortunately, there are no OTC human pain medications that are safe for use in cats. Keeping him off of the limb and applying cool compresses to the painful areas are the best you can do until you can take him to the vet.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on November 10th, 2018
Poor Fatcat sounds very painful. Please do NOT give him any human pain medications. Many are toxic to cats and are fatal if given. He has to see a vet now for this problem, I'd be afraid he could have broken his leg. In addition, you cannot leave him in pain all weekend. There will be a vet on call for emergencies. The information to reach that vet is found on a clinic's answering machine or website. Call around to find the vet on call. Also see if there is an ER clinic in your area. Best of luck.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on January 9th, 2019
Please do not give him over the counter pain medicine, it will kill him. Ask your local shelter to loan you a cat trap so you can trap him or ask the local no-kill shelter to trap him for treatment.
He needs to be seen by a vet urgently.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Health & Wellness

Kitten has a painful leg injury and won't walk. When to see vet?

Poor Tyr! My cat is also named Tyr! You can't rule out his leg being broken without an x-ray. He is in a lot of pain if he won't walk on the leg, and unfortunately there are no OTC pain medications you can give him. Many human ones are toxic to cats and are fatal if given. You need to take him into a vet today to get this diagnosed and treated. I strongly urge you to take him into a vet now. Best of luck.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Can a feral cat's broken leg heal on its own if I can't catch it?

First off, good on you for trying to cat and help this poor animal. A broken leg would be very painful, and definitely needs treatment. While broken legs can heal on their own, they won't heal correctly, and the cat may not be able to use the leg properly. I would recommend calling your local SPCA for help with trapping the cat, as she needs medical treatment as soon as possible.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

What should I do for a friend's cat with a broken leg and open wound?

You should really convince your friend to take the cat to a vet as soon as possible. This can be corrected if a vet gives treatment soon enough and they can also give medication to control the pain. Otherwise, it is considered cruel to not give the cat appropriate care and the cat will be prone to infections and life-threatening complications. If your friend can't take the cat to the vet, then I would recommend calling animal control. I hope that helps and the cat gets treatment soon.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My cat fell and can't move his leg. Is it dislocated or fractured?

Yikes. I'm concerned from your description that his leg could be dislocated or fractured. I would highly, highly recommend a vet visit so you know what's wrong, can formulate the best plan to treat him, and perhaps most importantly get him started on pain meds! In the meantime, keep him confined so he's using that leg as little as possible. Put him in a room with nothing to jump on, with his litterbox, food, and water all there, and a bed or soft blanket on the floor. If that's not possible, a large dog kennel can also work for confinement, if you can fit his food/water/litterbox and a blanket inside. A dislocation will not fix itself without vet attention, and some types of fractures require surgery to improve. However, soft tissue injuries (such as sprains), and even some fractures can heal with rest and time. Cats can be amazing healers. Do *not* give him anything for pain. There are no human medications that are safe or effective for him, and anything you give him could be dangerous, and could get in the way of more effective medications your vet might prescribe. Additionally, don't try to wrap or splint the leg, as you may do more harm than good. I would also discourage you from trying to massage it, since that will only cause further pain for him if he does have a traumatic injury. Hope that helps.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My cat broke his leg. Can he live with it, or do I need a second opinion?

Poor Kitter! It depends on the severity of the break. If it's something like a hairline fracture, it can heal on it's own without surgical intervention. It would be very important, however, that he's on pain medication to prevent him from being painful. It sounds like you aren't happy with the vet's assessment, and without seeing him in person, I can't say if this fracture needs further treatment. I recommend taking him into another vet for a second opinion. This may help you feel better about the course of treatment for him. Good luck, I hope this helps!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My cat fell from a height. Is her leg broken? What to do now?

If you suspect a broken leg then I suggest you get her to a vet as soon as possible. A broken leg would be very painful and I'm sure if you had a broken leg you want to go to a doctor! Remember, not all injuries can be seen externally. She could have some internal injuries that you cannot see. Over the internet this is all I can offer you. Without examining her myself and/or taking an x-ray of her leg I cannot tell you what to do other than to get to a vet. Best wishes.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My cat can't walk on its leg. Will a cat leg fracture heal naturally?

The only way to know if Yuki's leg is fractured is to have him evaluated and x-rayed by the vet. However, cats are amazing animals, and many fractures will heal naturally with time. But only with a vet visit will you be able to provide Yuki with appropriate pain control and help him stay more comfortable while he recovers. It's important to keep Yuki rested, and prevent excessive running/jumping. I recommend confining Yuki to a small room with no furniture to jump on, and keep his litterbox and food/water close by, so he has everything he needs with minimal movement. Hope this helps.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share