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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)

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4 Answers

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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!

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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