Cat limping or stiff – when should I see a vet?

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: PDSA

Contact a vet today

This can have a serious cause – contact your vet today if any of the warning signs below apply, or if you are unsure. Possible causes include arthritis, a cat-bite abscess, sprains or wounds, claw injury, broken bones, falls or road traffic accidents, insect stings, a knee ligament injury, something stuck in the foot or leg, or a kneecap that slips out of place.

When to contact a vet What to do now

Contact a vet if you see any of this

A sudden limp
Being unable to put weight on a leg
Severe pain

What you can do now

Contact your vet.
Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see.
Take a photo or short video to show your vet.
Let your cat rest somewhere calm.
Keep fresh water available.

Don't

Do not give your cat any human medicine.
Do not wait if it gets worse.

What it can mean

Limping or stiffness can be linked to arthritis, a cat-bite abscess, sprains, minor injuries, wounds, claw injuries, broken bones, falls or road traffic accidents, insect stings, a knee ligament injury, something stuck in the foot or leg, or a kneecap that slips out of place.^[1] Stiffness can be subtle, and a cat may show it by moving slowly, struggling to get up or down, or hesitating to jump.^[1] Overgrooming one area often indicates pain, while swollen legs or joints and low energy can also occur.^[1]

Other signs that can come with it

Stiffness moving around or difficulty getting up and down
Reluctance to jump
Difficulty climbing stairs
Overgrooming an area
Swollen legs or joints
Walking slowly
Lethargy or low energy

Possible causes

Arthritis
Cat-bite abscess
Sprains or strains
Wounds
Claw injury
Broken bones
Falls or road traffic accidents
Insect stings
Knee ligament injury
Something stuck in the foot or leg

What the experts say

“Overview. Does your cat have a limp? Do they seem stiff or painful? Have they started hesitating before jumping-up or stopped jumping altogether? A limp is obvious, but stiffness is harder to spot because the signs can be subtle.”
— PDSA [1]

If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.

OkPaw is on Android now – an iPhone version is on its way.

Common questions

What signs can come with limping or stiffness?

Cats may be reluctant to jump, have difficulty climbing stairs, move slowly, overgroom an area, develop swollen legs or joints, or have low energy.^[1]

When should I contact a vet immediately?

Contact your vet immediately for an emergency appointment if your cat develops a sudden limp, cannot put weight on a leg, or is in severe pain.^[1]

What can cause limping or stiffness in a cat?

Possible causes include arthritis, a cat-bite abscess, sprains, minor injuries, wounds, claw injury, broken bones, insect stings, a knee ligament injury, something stuck in the foot or leg, and a kneecap that slips out of place.^[1]

Sources

PDSA

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages

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