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My senior cat is limping. When should I take her to the vet?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Mediumhair | Female | spayed | 14 years old | 14 lbs

Hi -+On+Sunday+my+13+yr+old+cat+hurt+her+leg+or+foot+somehow,+and+now+has+a+prominent+limp.+She's+eating,+and+is+moving+around+fairly+well.+Her+overall+demeanor+seems+pretty+normal+and+she+doesn't+seem+to+be+in+too+much+pain,+but+she+still+looks+like+she+can't+put+any+weight+on+her+back+left+leg.++I+don't+know+whether+it's+a+sprain+that+will+heal+itself+or+if+I+should+take+her+in+for+an+x-ray.++Do+you+have+any+advice?

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Jessica Keay, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on October 18th, 2017

I am sorry to hear about Luna. If Luna is limping there are many different possible causes, including soft tissue injury (such as a muscle sprain/strain, torn ligament), a fracture (it isn't always obvious when a pet breaks a bone if the fracture is not displaced), a torn or sore toenail, a skin infection of the toenails or bottom of the foot, nerve disorders, or in older pets tumors of the muscle or bone. I would recommend examination by a vet if the issue has been present since Sunday with no improvement. Unfortunately there are no safe pain medications available over the counter for cats, so I would just try to keep her quiet/restrict her activity/keep her indoors until she can be seen.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on April 10th, 2018
Poor Joesey! This limping indicates he is in pain, and it could be that he strained or torn a ligament, could have a broken bone, or may be suffering from arthritis. Unfortunately there are no OTC pain medications you can give him, many human ones are toxic to cats and are fatal if given. As long as he is eating and drinking normally, you can try resting him for 48 hours to see if that helps. No running, jumping, or playing, and keep him indoors if he's allowed outside. I would place him in a small room so he doesn't move much or in a crate, and make sure he has water, food, and a litter box with him. If he is still limping after 48 hours, take him into the vet. I would take him into the vet sooner if the limping becomes worse, he becomes non-weight bearing on the leg, or he stops eating, drinking, and becomes lethargic. Best of luck, I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Ana M, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on March 27th, 2019
Thank you for submitting your question regarding Princess. I recommend that she sees her veterinarian to have her limp evaluated. She could be suffering from arthritis, a muscle strain or even a hairline fracture. X-rays may be recommended or a trial of pain may be warranted. Do not give any over-the-counter pain medications though as these can be toxic to cats. I hope this information helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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Related Questions

My cat is limping after slipping on a wet floor. What should I do?

I'm sorry Luna is in pain and limping! Yes, you are correct she could have slipped on the wet floor causing the limping. I would rest her for the next couple of days. Keep her confined to a small room (be sure to put a litter box, food, and water in with her) so she doesn't move as much, and do not allow her outside if she is normally allowed outside. Monitor her, and if she is still limping by Monday, I would take her into the vet for a health check. It's very important not to give her any human pain medications. Many are toxic to cats and are fatal if given. The vet can prescribe her pain medication as needed.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My cat is limping. Could it be a clot, and what about the vet?

A clot that causes limping is VERY painful. We do not expect cats that have thrown clots to recover without significant treatment. So, that certainly makes it less likely that Luna had a clot. However, I would strongly recommend having her examined to see what is going on. It certainly is not normal for a 6 year old cat to be limping. If Luna does not do well at the vet, maybe a house call vet would be a good option for her. I'm not sure if there is one in your area, but this might be a good place to look for one. http://www.homevets.org/Find_A_Mobile_Vet.html Good luck! I hope that was helpful and that Luna feels better soon. Thanks for using PetCoach.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My cat is severely limping and not eating. When should I see a vet?

As your cat hasn't been eating and is limping it is best to schedule a veterinary appointment ASAP. The limp could be caused by a number of things including injury to the leg, such as a break or sprain, wound or infection from a bite or scratch, or muscle or nerve damage. If the limb is hurt severely enough or if infection is present it may make your cat not want to eat. Until you can get to the vet, limit all activity to prevent further injury to the limb, and try to entice eating by warming up some wet food or adding some warmed boiled chicken to your cat's food. However it is necessary to schedule a vet appointment ASAP.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

What to do if my senior cat is limping, won't move, and in pain?

It sounds very much like Apple is in pain. She could have sustained an injury that is causing the limping and the hesitancy to move. I recommend you take her to your vet immediately, so that a physical exam can determine exactly where the pain is coming from, and then x-rays can be used to determine the exact problem. After that, she should be on pain relievers to help her be more comfortable, until the problem heals or is definitely treated.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why did my healthy senior cat suddenly develop a bad leg limp?

Poor Kosho! She could have accidentally injured her limb at night while you were asleep. She could have severely strained a ligament, torn a ligament, broken a bone, or potentially could have an osteosarcoma. An osteosarcoma is a tumor of the bone in cats, the most common bone tumor cats can get. It would cause sudden and severe lameness. Unfortunately, cancer is always a possibility in an old cat. I would take Kosho into the vet today for an exam. The vet can do a physical exam, routine blood tests, a urinalysis, and x-rays to determine what is causing her limp and how best to treat it. She will also need some pain medication as well. Do not give her any human pain medications. Many are toxic to cats and are fatal if given. Please take her into a vet now.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My cat was run over and is limping. Should I take her to the vet?

Poor Sphinx! She sounds like she is in pain! I'd definitely recommend taking her to see a veterinarian right away. She may have a broken leg or internal injury and needs immediate veterinary medical care. She will need pain medication as well. Please remember there are no safe over the counter pain medications for cats so you will need to have these prescribed by a veterinarian. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I hope Sphinx gets the care she needs and is feeling better soon.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why is my cat limping but shows no pain when I touch her paw?

I am sorry to hear your cat is having lameness. Cats are masters at hiding pain and illness so they don't typically scream out unless there is substantial pain there. But limping and a pet not willing to place a foot down is an indicator of a certain level of pain there or else they would put entire weight on the limb and paw. This most likely is not a fracture because that pain would be very evident with her not allowing you to touch it and there would be a substantial amount of swelling there. So that leaves a muscle sprain or ligament partial/complete tear. The key is to localize where on the leg the pain is coming from, look for obvious swelling, and then treat the pet with anti-inflammatory medication if sprain is suspected or do an x-ray if the knee or joint is suspected as the source of the pain to rule out a ligament rupture. Unfortunately there are no safe over the counter pain meds available for cats but your vet has safe products to prescribe for your cat for conservative treatment at the very least to see if this will improve her condition.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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