Maintaining a three legged cat's weight?
My boyfriend and I brought home a 3 legged 6 month old from the local aspca. Her back left leg is amputated. She gets along pretty well, but has trouble jumping up on the bed and uses her claws. Is it possible for her claws to get ripped out? I read on here that it was a good idea to make some sort of stepping stone, which I am going to think about.
Down to the question. The vet told us that she needed to maintain and never gain any weight. She was very little when we got her, so she has grown a bit. Maybe 3-4 pounds. She seems hungry alot, but we decided that an open dish policy wouldn't work. What do you suggest on a feeding regime? Or maybe a brand that will keep her weight down as she gets older. Thanks!
Answers:
Congratulations to you!
We also have a three-legged cat. I brought him home when he was 4 weeks old (I worked at the animal hospital) and now he's 12 years old. He's always been an "inside" cat and he's never had any problems.
You should keep any cat indoors but especially yours. Even though she will get around just fine she will walk different. If she's outside and a dog or other animal sees her, they will go after her.
Our cat gets up on the sofa with no trouble and we keep a hope chest next to the bed so he is able to get up on our bed. I don't think you need to worry about her claws getting "ripped out".
As far as the weight is concerned, feed her if she is hungry, she's just a kitten. When she's older, you and your vet will be able to decide what a good weight is for her. It depends on the type of cat you have and how small or large she will be.
Our cat is a medium sized cat and when he was around 8 years old he started to put on a little weight. At that point we decided to keep him at around 10 lbs. (our vet thought that was a good weight) so there wouldn't be too much stress on his back leg.
Congratulations on adopting your kitten and all the best of luck to you both! I'd say your cat is very lucky to have found a home with people as wonderful as you are. Relax and enjoy her, she will do great with someone as considerate and caring as you.
Don't over feed the cat and a stepping stool or short table at the foot of the bed should work fine. Yes, claws can be broken or torn as far as I know but they're made to withstand a lot of foce. My friend has a cat in a similar situation.
You could buy a little step stool at a store like Wal Mart or K-Mart for her. Put it by the bed so she can step on it and then onto the bed.
No, hauling her self up with her claws won't pull them out. They are very well attached to the cat.
Having set times and amounts that you give her sounds like a very good idea to me. You could ask your vet or the ASPCA where you got her how much they recommend at a feeding and how many feedings a day she should have.
She sounds like a very sweet kitty and I hope you have many years together.
maybe besides food you can maybe look into pet wheelchairs. Iv seen it on tv where the animals legs just didnt work. anyways its basically a harness and two wheels in the back . Im sure it might take some time getting used to but maybe you can see how she takes to it it. It could be something she uses all day or maybe just a few hours so she can run around for a little while. Just a thought
if your vet was a responsable vet the would have told you.
I know senior cat foods have less fat for a less active older cat. kitten foods are very high in fat to help the kitten grow. maybe go to the pet store (not pet section in a department store) and get some one to help you select a diet. Nutro, Royal Canin, and Tecni-Cal are all high quality. Please stay away from grocery store foods such as Iams and Meow mix. I have just heard of waaaay too many skin and joint problems affecting cats and dogs and then learning that the majority eat Iams and such.
best of luck to you and your kitty!!
had a 3legger myself. made a little 2 step stool, glued sandpaper to the steps, worked out great. never had a problem with her weight. she preferred dry food. kept the bowl full 24/7. she died at 10yrs. from kidney failure.named her thumper because of the sound she made running up and down the stairs.
Down to the question. The vet told us that she needed to maintain and never gain any weight. She was very little when we got her, so she has grown a bit. Maybe 3-4 pounds. She seems hungry alot, but we decided that an open dish policy wouldn't work. What do you suggest on a feeding regime? Or maybe a brand that will keep her weight down as she gets older. Thanks!
Answers:
Congratulations to you!
We also have a three-legged cat. I brought him home when he was 4 weeks old (I worked at the animal hospital) and now he's 12 years old. He's always been an "inside" cat and he's never had any problems.
You should keep any cat indoors but especially yours. Even though she will get around just fine she will walk different. If she's outside and a dog or other animal sees her, they will go after her.
Our cat gets up on the sofa with no trouble and we keep a hope chest next to the bed so he is able to get up on our bed. I don't think you need to worry about her claws getting "ripped out".
As far as the weight is concerned, feed her if she is hungry, she's just a kitten. When she's older, you and your vet will be able to decide what a good weight is for her. It depends on the type of cat you have and how small or large she will be.
Our cat is a medium sized cat and when he was around 8 years old he started to put on a little weight. At that point we decided to keep him at around 10 lbs. (our vet thought that was a good weight) so there wouldn't be too much stress on his back leg.
Congratulations on adopting your kitten and all the best of luck to you both! I'd say your cat is very lucky to have found a home with people as wonderful as you are. Relax and enjoy her, she will do great with someone as considerate and caring as you.
Don't over feed the cat and a stepping stool or short table at the foot of the bed should work fine. Yes, claws can be broken or torn as far as I know but they're made to withstand a lot of foce. My friend has a cat in a similar situation.
You could buy a little step stool at a store like Wal Mart or K-Mart for her. Put it by the bed so she can step on it and then onto the bed.
No, hauling her self up with her claws won't pull them out. They are very well attached to the cat.
Having set times and amounts that you give her sounds like a very good idea to me. You could ask your vet or the ASPCA where you got her how much they recommend at a feeding and how many feedings a day she should have.
She sounds like a very sweet kitty and I hope you have many years together.
maybe besides food you can maybe look into pet wheelchairs. Iv seen it on tv where the animals legs just didnt work. anyways its basically a harness and two wheels in the back . Im sure it might take some time getting used to but maybe you can see how she takes to it it. It could be something she uses all day or maybe just a few hours so she can run around for a little while. Just a thought
if your vet was a responsable vet the would have told you.
I know senior cat foods have less fat for a less active older cat. kitten foods are very high in fat to help the kitten grow. maybe go to the pet store (not pet section in a department store) and get some one to help you select a diet. Nutro, Royal Canin, and Tecni-Cal are all high quality. Please stay away from grocery store foods such as Iams and Meow mix. I have just heard of waaaay too many skin and joint problems affecting cats and dogs and then learning that the majority eat Iams and such.
best of luck to you and your kitty!!
had a 3legger myself. made a little 2 step stool, glued sandpaper to the steps, worked out great. never had a problem with her weight. she preferred dry food. kept the bowl full 24/7. she died at 10yrs. from kidney failure.named her thumper because of the sound she made running up and down the stairs.
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