My cat is severely limping and not eating. When should I see a vet?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
My cat hasn't been eating and has been severely limping
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on December 12th, 2015
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.
9Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on February 15th, 2020
If he is otherwise normal I would give him a few days to see if the lameness resolves. If it does not, then he should see a vet. DO NOT give him any over the counter medications - most are toxic to cats.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
My cat is lethargic, limping and just threw up. Please help!
Due to the large number of symptoms your cat is experiencing (lethargy, limp and vomiting) it is best to schedule an appointment with your local veterinarian for care. It is possible that the limp may be caused by an injury that is causing pain and or nausea in your cat, leading to the lethargy and vomiting. Pets in a lot of pain may refuse to eat, and thus not get enough energy, or may become nauseated or vomit up their food. Addressing the underlying problem (in this case, possibly the limp) can help improve overall symptoms. Feeding a bland diet of warmed up boiled chicken or turkey may also encourage your cat to eat some, getting his energy levels up and helping him to keep food down. Until you can be seen by the vet, be sure to keep your cat quiet and calm and restrict activity. This will help prevent further injury to the affected limb and may help to relieve some pain or nausea related. Once your vet has taken a look at the limp and other symptoms, they can then provide you w
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My cat had really bad fight a few days back. She started limping lightly after that and next day she was limping like her leg was broken. The next day again she was walking with the limping leg again and limping alot but not as much as yesterday and
Thank you for submitting your question regarding Adee. I am concerned that she may have an abscess as a result of a fight wound. This a deep infection trapped under the skin. It is painful and makes the cat not want to eat. She will need to see a veterinarian to determine if this is the case. If so, treatment such as antibiotics will be necessary. I hope this information helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
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
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.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
CAT limping on and off for a few days
Your cat has probably hurt himself either outside or inside the house while jumping. it could also be due to a fight with another cat outside that resulted in an infection. as it has been a few days already and without improvement, i strongly recommend that you take him to the vet in order to get the affected leg checked, he will probably need pain killers for a few days at the very least.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My cat has injured her leg we think. She growls and hisses when we attempt to stroke her thigh right back leg. She's not very vocal usually but has began to sound aggrivated. Her actual walking seems more stiff and there is a slight limp. The vets do
You should take her to an out of hours vet or Pet ER today. Your vet;s office should have emergency information on their answering machine. In the UK all veterinarians have to provide an out of hours service, be it themselves or via referral to another veterinary clinic. This is obviously a painful condition which should be addressed today.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My cat has been a weak since yesterday. At first I thought it was because of the heat so I gave him a bath. After that he’s stayed very calm and normally he’s extremely active (he’s about 4 months old) Later he was walking but appeared to be limp on
Thank you for submitting your question regarding your kitten. I recommend that he sees a veterinarian today. His behavior is worrisome. Even if you are not able to locate his pain, it sounds like he is sore if he is limping. There is a viral disease in kittens that can cause a fever, lameness and ulcers in the mouth. His veterinarian will examine him and determine if this is the case or if he has another problem. I hope this information helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Whenever my cat is let outside, she comes back in with a slight limp. I think it may be from her jumping from heights but at the same time there is nothing I can do to stop her jumping off them as I can't keep an eye on her whenever she is outside. D
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.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hello, My kitten just started limping after he played at my friends house. I'm not quite sure what to do. He's not putting any weight on it when he eats either. Thank you, Jusleen
It might be a bruise or something worse, if he doesn't go back to put at least some weight on the leg in the next 24 hours I would advise taking him to the vet to check if the leg is broken. If he starts using the leg gradually then it is a good sign, try to keep him rested, don't encourage playing, running or jumping.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have two cats who are limping. Both are lethargic, and won’t eat.
Limping means they are in pain, and pain would cause them to be lethargic and not eating. Unfortunately there are no OTC pain relievers you can give them. Many human ones are toxic to cats and are fatal if given. I'd take them into a vet today.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi, My cat has been limping on and off for the last day or two but then he was fine, playing and walking perfectly again. However, today he was limping and could not run up stairs. He was walking up the stairs and was not jumping on surfaces. He se
Hello Anisa! Limping means he is in pain, and pain could make him lethargic as well. Unfortunately there are no OTC pain medications you can give him, as many human ones are toxic to cats and are fatal if given. I think you should take him into the vet first thing in the morning. The vet can diagnose why he is in pain, and can treat him. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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