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My cat is limping on her front leg. Is it a sprain or paw injury?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Norwegian Forest Cat | Female | unspayed

My cat has been walking on three legs and keeping her left front leg up(limping), she stays active, eats and grooms herself so idk what's wrong. Either she has a sprained leg or the thing I found in the pictures I found at the lower part of her paw. Also she was fine this morning so I'm confused. What's wrong with her?

5 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on March 13th, 2019

Poor Oreo! It sounds like she has injured herself, and it could be due to a strain. I recommend resting her for the next 48 hours. No running, jumping, or playing. Keep her confined to a small room to limit movement, and do not allow her outside if she is allowed outdoors. If she still appears painful after this time, then I would take her into the vet for an exam. The vet can diagnose where the pain is coming from, and can dictate a treatment plan for it. She may also benefit from some pain medications, which the vet can prescribe. Please do not give him any human pain medications, as many are toxic to cats and are fatal if given.

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Published on December 7th, 2018
If it just started you can let her rest for a few days with minimal walking and minimal physical exercise, if it does not improve within 3-4 days you will have to take her to the vet in order to get it checked and treated, she might need pain killers for a few days. if the vet think it's something more serious such as a fracture, joint injury or foreign body, he might recommend to have an xray done as well.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on July 27th, 2017
Sunshine is adorable! So sorry she is having this issue.

She likely strained or sprained a ligament or tendon. Cats will take longer to heal from these things because they just don't know to rest themselves. They still jump and run around which doesn't give the leg time to heal. If she doesn't seem painful I would just monitor her for now. If you can minimize her jumping/running that would be great. If she goes outside I would keep her indoors only for couple weeks.

If no improvement after a couple weeks then I would say you should take her in to the vet for an exam.

Whatever you do, DO NOT give her any over the counter anti-inflammatory medications - cats are extremely sensitive to those medications and you can make her really sick.

Best wishes to you and Sunshine! I hope this helps!
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on July 4th, 2019
I suggest you give her a few days and just monitor it. As long as she is eating and drinking I wouldn't be overly worried at this stage. If the leg was broken or dislocated she would not be putting any weight on it at all. I would say try to minimize any running/jumping but it's a cat so........do what you can to prevent this. LOL

If after about 5 days there is no or just minimal improvement then she should see a vet.

DO NOT give any over the counter medications. Cats are extremely sensitive to them and you may make her worse.

Hope this helps. Best wishes.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA
Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist
Published on August 28th, 2017
Cats can be very good at hiding pain. It sounds like there is a chronic but mild injury that gets worse with increased activity. I would take her to a vet in the period that she is limping so the vet can try to figure out where the limp is coming from. If there is nothing that can be fixed, often an extended period of rest (or indoor time) and NSAIDs can help her body heal.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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