Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hiya! I'm happy to report that Harry is doing great, two weeks into life as a tripawd, and it's time to start thinking about making his new life the best, and safest, it can be.
Harry is an inside cat who spends most of the year in an apartment (we visit my parents for a few weeks at Christmas and Summer, and they have stairs). I just started lead training him this Summer, but he mostly just wants to sit in the grass and watch the world go by when outside, at this point.
So my main concerns re: accessability and safety are around jumping up on high things (such as the kitchen counter that he damn well knows he's not supposed to be on anyway!) - and, especially, jumping down.
How much of a concern should this be, really?
I have steps set up to the places he likes and can go, already, and he's using them pretty well.
He's on a weight loss plan (he's a bit husky >_>) to reduce strain
I don't really know that there's anything I CAN do to prevent him jumping down from high places when I'm not around...or should I just put steps everywhere???
Is there anything else I should be concerned about? He's not having any trouble on the hardwood...
I would not put steps at places I don't want him to go. He'll quickly learn that if he was to jump up on the counter that it's not so comfortable to get down. I've never seen Mona on the counter but once saw her on the dining room table. When I told her to get off she jumped over to her cat perch. Obviously she had an escape route planned. I've since moved the cat perch further away and haven't seen her on the table again.
Good luck with the weight loss. I know it's not easy but it can be done.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
Yay Harry and yay you for putting him on a weight loss diet! That will help SO much! What exactly are you doing to get his weight down? I'm so curious because we get loads of info about weight loss for tripawd dogs, but not for cats. I'd love to share this in the Tripawds Nutrition blog .
I think that most Tripawd cats will follow their instincts about where to climb and explore. Dogs just don't seem as aware of their footing as cats do. So I think as long as you don't make it easy for him to get in places he will have a hard time descending from, he should do great and stay injury-free. I'll be curious about others' experience with protecting their kitty from jumping where s/he shouldn't.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
This made me remember when Erica put steps up to the bed for Jill. Jill just bypassed them and jumped right up on the bed anyway. Somewhere here there is a video.
Kathi
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
We added multiple steps for Purrkins. One at the bed, two sets go up to his window seats and a set at the sofa. We moved furniture closer together in areas .We also added rugs or mats in areas for cushion.
I know all animals are differn’t but Purrkins uses his going up and down. He does still jump up at times but always uses them going down.
I think cats are very smart and do have good footing. But cats are designed to be jumping on all 4 legs and disturbing the weight evenly.
There is a relearning process for a time as they learn on 3 legs.
The way they came down before is now not as easy for them. The landing depending on the heights of course. They do relearn by trial and error.
We added the steps to protect Purrkins remaining limbs and allow him to still be himself and go where he wants.
We wanted to prevent any possible chance of injury .
I think I need to add where I am coming from. 4 years ago we lost our 17 year old cat with 4 legs from a fall off our kitchen table onto the wood floor , He was trying to get away from one of our cats and slipped , fractured his leg badly. He was not a candidate for surgery because of his age and health. We had to make that horrible decision to put him down.
My point being, yes cats are jumpers and good ones but they are still capable of injuries with 4 or 3 legs.
So when we were faced with the all this with Purrkins and had to ampuate his front leg , of course that is our concern, we are doing the better safe then sorry. We dont want to take the chance of any injury if we can prevent them and added multiple steps .
We all do things a little differently and there is not a right or wrong , its whatever works for you and your animal.
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