My cat is limping. Could it be a muscle strain? What should I do?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered
We noticed my cat started limping last night (left back leg). Neither of us saw him hurt himself but he does like to jump/run around crazy. It seems worse if he's been laying down for a while. Like it makes it more stiff. He's eating & using the cat litter as normal. Does seem slightly quieter than usual. I can't see/feel anything wrong (I've checked his toes and all the way). We've been trying to keep him from jumping on things but he still wants to. does it sound like he's strained his muscle?
5 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on December 8th, 2016
Poor Socks! It does sound like he may have strained a muscle or ligament. It would be best to rest him for the next 48 hours. I know it's hard to keep him from jumping on things, and I would keep trying to prevent him from doing that. You may consider putting him in a small room or a large crate to keep him quiet. If he's allowed outside, I would keep him inside for the next 48 hours. If after 48 hours he's still limping, then I would take him into the vet to have him examined. He may benefit from some pain meds, and the vet can prescribe him some. Do not give him any human pain medications, many are toxic to cats and are fatal if given.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
-
Published on May 6th, 2017
Poor Mittens! Yes, it is possible that he pulled a muscle. I recommend resting him for the next 48 hours. No running, jumping, or playing. Keep him indoors if he's allowed outside, and confine him to a crate or a small room if necessary to keep him quiet. If he still appears painful after this time, then I would take him into the vet for an exam. The vet can diagnose where the pain is coming from, and can dictate a treatment plan for it. He 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 be fatal if given.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
-
Published on November 21st, 2016
Poor Cyrus! You are correct that he could have a pulled muscle, and he does sound very uncomfortable. Because he's both limping and having trouble getting comfortable when he lays down, I think he should see a vet. He would benefit from some pain medications, and the vet can prescribe safe ones for him. Please do not give him any human pain medications, many are toxic to cats and are fatal if given.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
-
Published on December 17th, 2016
Poor Scampy! He does sound painful if he cannot walk probably. I would take him into a vet immediately. He could have been injured outside if he's allowed outdoors, or he could be suffering from arthritis if he's an older cat. The vet can diagnose what is causing his symptoms, and can prescribe some pain medications for him. Please do not give him any human pain medications, many are toxic to cats and are fatal if given. I would take him into a vet now.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
-
Published on August 21st, 2017
Sometimes they will improve and become more active and reinjure it. It is similar to us if we sprained an ankle and ran on it too soon. Try to keep him strictly confined and do not let him run, jump, or play for 7 days. If he isn't improving or worsens, I would take him back to your vet for a recheck and possible X-rays. I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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.
Hi my 5 yr old cat is limping I don’t see anything on her paw what else can I do??
I think my cat may have a sprained leg, but we want to avoid having to take him to the vet. If we can, we would rather heal him at home. Help?
My cat could not put his paw onto floor he was not inpain and was eating ok but later in the day he started limping so I took him to vets who examined him but found nothing so she said most likely he has pulled a muscle she checked his temp which was
My cat has begun limping, we inspected the front leg and he isn’t showing any sign of pain, he can lay on his leg and jump on and off beds still, are you able to tell me anything we can do to better analyze him to see if he has sprained his leg again
3 weeks ago my cat came in limping on his back left paw, I checked for an abscess but couldn't see anything so we just rested him and kept him in for 48 hours and this worked he was back to his playful active self. Last week the same happened except
My cat is limping. She did a running jump onto a stool. She’s eating, going to the bathroom just not playing as she normally did.
Hello, I have a 11 week old kitten and he has a bad front left leg and he's limping, but yet he can still jump down from things and climb up things....we do not know how he done this we come in one morning and he was limping towards us it has been a
My cat started limping today and he can't seem to get comfortable when he sits/lays down. Should I take him to the vet or see if it works itself out on its own (pulled muscle?)
Early this morning my 1 1/2 year old cat fell from our kitchen counter top. When he fell, his leg got caught in a towel bar on the cabinet door. He was hoping/walking without putting any weight on the leg that got caught during the morning. No swelli
Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.
