For everyone, the situation is drastic and extremely traumatic: your cat has a problem and has to have a leg amputated. It could be cancer, an injury, an infection... Many tutors avoid thinking about the possibility, but it can happen for a number of reasons. So what's left to do? How to care for a cat with an amputated leg? What precautions should you take at home? With that in mind, we went after advice, stories and recommendations.

Check out 6 essential tips for taking care of your furry friend. And remember: life goes on for him!

The procedure for amputating a cat's paw is simple and safe when done by a qualified veterinarian. When the operation is required, it means that all other treatments have not led to positive results. In other words, the veterinarian is saving your cat's life.

So, you might think that your cat is “reborn”. He is relearning to live with only 3 legs. Before, he could run, jump and grab almost anything. Now, he needs to readapt, either in mobility, or in interaction (in the case of a front paw). He will adapt, and if he has a prosthesis, he will soon know how to move with this physiotherapeutic resource.

But for that, help, patience and support are essential. So be patient. He'll be slower at first, and maybe more withdrawn.

If your house was designed for a jumping cat, now that your cat is amputated, everything will need to change. It will be very difficult for your cat to be able to jump, or even climb on a piece of furniture. Narrow spaces (like under a shelf, or under a sofa) will also be out of the question.

Soon, you will need to adapt the house. Opt for single-floor scratching posts, or even just “post” and “mat” scratching posts. Narrow spaces will need to be closed off or difficult to access.

It may happen that your cat manages to get into a corner (a drawer, a niche), but not get out. Occasionally, the change won't be permanent - it's just until the cat fully relearns about its new body.

Valuable tip for tutors of amputated cats, especially if the cat lives in a house with stairs.

Keep in mind that any change in floor level can be an almost impossible challenge for your cat. Think of what it would be like for a person who uses a wheelchair, for example, to climb a ladder.

Ramps are a solution, even for minimal steps, as they will lessen the effort your cat will make when moving around. If the cat feels that climbing a step is too much effort, rest assured, he will not move.

The rough surface will give the amputee cat more security. Think about what it would be like to walk on a slippery tile using only one leg. For the cat it's the same feeling. A rough surface – carpet, concrete, rubber – will make the cat less likely to slip. He will feel more confident walking around the house.

When we talk about amputee cat hygiene, it's not just cleaning the dressings regularly. It is also rethinking litter boxes, both in terms of quantity and cleanliness.

Before, your cat had an easier time cleaning up the feces, to run to the urine space, and any dirt, such as mud or sand, was not such a serious problem.

However, now the situation has changed. Your cat may not get to the litter box in time, or maybe he will but doesn't want to use that one because he couldn't clean up the feces properly. So, increase the number of litter boxes, and position them in places closer to where the cat usually stays.

In the case of wounds, remember, any dirt can cause an infection. So clean everything very carefully and often.

It will be natural, in the first few months, for your amputee cat to want to walk less. Thus, making his life easier, in terms of food and hygiene, is essential.

You just can't flip a cat taxi. Like this? You need to let your cat relearn to walk, play, interact, at the risk of becoming sedentary, obese and having all the problems that result.

Your cat needs to move too. It's not just about relearning the movements – it's also about not accumulating fat. Also, pranks prevent mental illnesses such as depression and dementia.

Remember the phrase “healthy body, healthy mind”? It is the case here. Your cat needs to understand that life goes on – and so do you. You can be sorry and sorry, but don't discourage your cat from relearning to walk and do things.

However, don't overdo it. Don't make your cat suffer by having to walk when he doesn't want to, or play when he's tired. This can traumatize the cat and hinder recovery.

Your amputated cat will have limited movement. This means that his energy expenditure will be lower. At the same time, his eating habits won't necessarily keep pace with this reduction. In other words: your cat will probably feel the same hunger as before, but will burn fewer calories now.

Therefore, one of the effects of amputation can be weight gain. Obesity is not a positive thing, both because of kidney, heart and vascular problems, and because of muscle problems (one of the legs will need to support the weight that was previously divided into two).

Thus, it is not enough for your cat to do physiotherapy and functional training. He will need a change in eating habits. Occasionally, a diet rich in one mineral and low in another or reduced in carbohydrates or sugars, among others. Remembering: only the veterinarian can give the correct diagnosis.

So, pay attention to this and ask the veterinarian for suggestions and directions. The doctor will order tests and advise you accordingly, so that your cat does not feel the changes in food so drastically.

Remember, having a cat amputated is not the end of the world. Your cat will continue to love you, and you must continue to love him, so that you can live many experiences together! You may not believe it, but your cat will learn to walk on its own, and will regain some of the feline independence it had before. But for that, he will need your help, love and affection. Believe in your cat's strength and intelligence and move on. He lost a paw, but he's still alive!

And if you want to read more content about cats and their health, be sure to check out our article on toxic food for cats and dogs. So, when you are readjusting your cat's diet with an amputated paw, you won't offer him any of the list. Take a look!