A cat with 3 legs !

[mhcarberrt]

My cat has lost one of its back legs, will it incur any difficulties later in life?

[racheltje]

Hi,

One of my cats lost one of her back legs when she was about 2. She lived to 18 and never had any difficulties once she was used to getting around with 3 legs. The only thing she couldn't do was scratch behind her ear with the missing leg, so you may have to help your cat with that sometimes!

[FP]

I can't see that she will have any more problems than any other cat as she gets older.  Many domestic pets live to a good old age with limbs missing.  Don't worry.

[PurplePixie]

They seem to do fine. A missing back leg seems to be easier for them to cope with than a front one...but even that is not the end of the world.

It would be a good idea to keep the cats weight down (easier said than done!) to ensure that no undue pressure is put on her remaining joint in her latter years.

[henrymullen]

it might have a limp.

[kool kitty]

Hi cats are fine with only three legs dont worry yourself.

[l_h_kings]

Hi,

My cat lost her rear leg at about 3 yrs old. She's now coming up to 7 years and puuurrrrfectly (sorry) fit healthy and happy. As Racheltje says the scratching behind the ear thing is the main problem, but she still hasn't given up and tries to scratch there with the stump. As someone has mentioned keeping weight down is probably a good idea to keep her mobile for as long as possible. In My house the three-legged cat is the boss of 2 four-legged dogs and my 2-legged husband.

Helena