This can be done by palpating (feeling) the cat’s muscles. According to the Companion Animal Nutrition Summit, around 38% of older cats have sarcopenia.Ī vet will assess your cat’s muscle condition score (MCS) to diagnose muscle wasting. This is muscle loss triggered by a long-term illness or untreated injury. They also need a diet that’s rich in quality protein.
Cats need vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin A and potassium, to maintain their muscle mass. It happens when the muscles slowly degrade over time, and it can have many causes. Muscle wasting, also known as atrophy, refers to a loss of muscle mass. But if your cat’s problem is getting slowly worse over time, it may be down to muscle wasting. Rear leg weakness and wobbliness can also be attributed to muscle damage, which can be triggered by direct muscle trauma (such as a fight or fall) or overexertion. Severe cases may require a hip replacement. It’s diagnosed through scans, such as x-rays.Īnti-inflammatory drugs and pain medication can provide relief for cats with hip dysplasia. This may be the explanation if you have a purebred cat with weak, wobbly, or stiff back legs. The complications of hip dysplasia can begin at any age and will worsen with time. Obsessive licking or chewing on the back legs or hip area.Obvious discomfort when hips are touched.The symptoms of hip dysplasia in cats include: However, the ball grinding in the socket causes wear and tear on both bones.
The early years of a cat’s life may be symptom-free. Although present from birth, it’s often not diagnosed until later in life. Maine coons, Persians, and Himalayan cats are more likely to experience hip dysplasia, while mixed-breed cats are least likely to be affected. It’s a hereditary condition that’s passed down from parent to kitten. The ball and socket joint is misaligned, preventing the ball from moving smoothly in the socket. Hip dysplasia is a genetic disorder that causes a cat’s hip bones to develop improperly. Although there’s no cure for arthritis, the painful symptoms can be alleviated and made more manageable.įor example, weight loss can ease pressure on the joints, and pain medications can reduce discomfort. Vets diagnose arthritis using radiographs and physical examinations. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, up to 90% of cats over 12 years old show signs of arthritis. Research suggests that arthritis is as prevalent in cats as in people. Signs of discomfort when being picked up, held, or brushed.Changes in personality, such as becoming more aggressive.Reduced grooming or over-grooming to self-soothe pain.Toilet accidents due to difficulty getting in and out of the litter box.The symptoms of arthritis come on slowly and may include: Severe cases are rarer than mild ones, but arthritis will worsen over the years.
Arthritis can also develop following an infection or leg trauma.įeline arthritis can be mild or severe. Usually, arthritis is caused by age-related wear and tear, but some cats are more prone to it than others due to genetics. Arthritis is mostly seen in older cats, although it can affect cats of all ages. It’s characterized by inflammation and deterioration of the joints, making movement painful, slow, and more difficult. ArthritisĪrthritis is a degenerative joint disease. However, some culprits, such as brain tumors and kidney disease, can be fatal if left untreated. Old age is harmless, but it makes cats more prone to developing certain medical conditions.ĭegenerative conditions such as arthritis cause the gradual onset of hind leg problems in cats. However, you shouldn’t brush off rear leg weakness or stiffness as just old age. Older cats aged 10 or older are most likely to experience such problems. Some conditions can develop over weeks, months, or even years. You’ll notice that your cat finds it more difficult to walk as time passes. Various conditions can cause a slow, gradual weakening or stiffening of a cat’s rear legs. You might also notice that your cat is more aggressive or depressed than usual. The cat may find it difficult or painful to climb in or out of the litter box. Toilet accidents are common when a cat can’t move its legs properly.
Weak and stiff back legs in cats can come on suddenly or more gradually. It can be triggered by injury (sprains, strains, and broken bones) or by a progressive disease, such as arthritis. Weakness and stiffness can be due to bone, ligament, muscle problems, nerve damage, neurological issues, or organ failure. 1.4 Related Articles: Rear Leg Problems in Cats
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