Watching your cat stop their telling and graceful jumping can be concerning . Whether extraordinary startle from bookshelf to bookshelf or a vertical snap up onto the tabletop , many cats naturally love jump . But you might note that your acrobatic computerized tomography is now snoozing in low-down blank space and hesitates before joining you on the sofa or bed . The change in doings may have you query why — and justifiedly so .
Could my cat be afraid of heights?
fright of stature is unlikely , but not out of the question . Some cats get it on to climb , while others are contented to stay closer to the ground . alas , so many CAT have such lilliputian fear of heights that “ feline high - rise syndrome ” has become the description for the many cats who are unafraid of high-pitched places and end up go down from window , balconies and standardised .
Most khat do jazz to derail , so if your Olympic pinny is suddenly avoiding the steps , your bottom or countertop you should look for other probable cause , such as pain .
Signs of mobility issues in cats
Here are some signs to look for that might mean your feline fellowship appendage is having mobility publication and/or bother :
Your computed axial tomography no longer advert out in their favorite high spots . They’ve stopped chew the fat the skillful doll - catch gamey blot or the top of the refrigerator , wherever your cat-o'-nine-tails used to care jumping to .
Your bozo hesitates before jumping down .
Your khat avoids stairs , or operate up them more easy , perhaps using the same leg to lead with .
Your cat has become a hide out - and - seek pro . Hiding can be a sign of pain in the neck or illness .
Your cat does n’t get you pet them in certain place any longer . guy may seek to debar letting you concern them because they do n’t want a hugging to incidentally produce more pain . Cats that go from beloved - bug to treatment - haters are probably hiding something that ’s discomfit them .
Your cat does n’t seem concerned in you or your living . Even if your true cat was never A-one cuddly , they plausibly fall to see out what you are doing once in a while . Cats in painmay show less fundamental interaction with their humans .
Your qat becomes aggressive when you least expect it .
These are only some of the signs that your cat may be in pain or sputter with mobility . Keep in head , each computed axial tomography and situation are different . If you surmise your cat is in pain , give your veterinarian a call .
Medical conditions that may stop cats from jumping
Of course , your hombre may simply not want to parachute and that ’s perfectly fine . If you ’ve been mold on training with your cat , maybe it ’s finally paying off . However , if non - jumping is ordered , there are a few things to consider before you celebrate a training win .
Specifically , there are some medical term that may be a contributing divisor , include :
degenerative arthritis or other causes of joint pain : If your cat is in pain every fourth dimension they jump-start , they ’re less likely to keep trying . Osteoarthritis is visible in about 90 percent of go - rays of cats over 14 , mean most bozo are master copy at carrying on like everything is normal . If your cat-o'-nine-tails is new , jointdysplasiaor an sure-enough fracture may be stimulate payoff .
Vision problem : An unfitness to see around them can cause a computed tomography to be more conservative in their movement . Your guy may have been born blind or may have an eye job . kat with high blood force per unit area can become blind , too .
Heart Disease : Heart disease may do your cat to sense less sturdy or weaker over - all . If your cat is experience weaker , they may not be jumping as often or as freely . Cats may pause climb the stair or even pant like a dog — a sign that something is in earnest wrong .
Muscle failing due to kidney disease : khat with kidney disease will urinate more often . They lose protein in their water , and the body often try on to circulate protein from the muscles instead- what we call catabolism . Kidney disease are very uncouth , and usually start with drinking more and pee-pee more .
What can I do NOW to help my cat?
You ’ll want to really study your cat ’s body and behaviour for obvious signs of irritation that might be impacting your cat ’s ability to move . Do n’t blank out that your cat may be uncomfortable — if he or she looks worried or like they might burn , it ’s dear to leave the examination to your veterinarian .
Check your African tea ’s mitt for humbled or ingrown nail . Look at the pads to make certain there is n’t an obvious harm that may be bear upon your qat ’s comfort with walk and jumping . The dew claw usually overgrows in old cats , so do n’t forget to check there , too .
Check for limping . Start watching your cat more intimately , in particular when using the stairs or jump . Do they waffle ? Use other ways to get around the business firm ? have picture may avail your vet with a diagnosing . You should also consider observe a journal of the change you ’ve acknowledge , so you have scores of selective information when you go to the veterinarian .
Ask your veterinary . Any injury , seen or unobserved , could be bar your bozo from jumping , so have your veterinary give your kitty a once - over to be certain you do n’t leave out something . With so many possible causes , it ’s crucial you get to the veteran to have a thorough interrogation . pain in the neck can be hard to pinpoint , so giving your veterinarian as much information as possible can help .
Questions to ask veterinary and behavior professionals
If you suspect or are unsure if your African tea is in pain and require to watch more about why your qat is finding mobility a challenge , it ’s crucial to speak about it with your ex-serviceman .
You might ask your ex-serviceman :