Aside from when cats are busy sleeping, self-grooming, or eating, our fun-loving felines are agile and graceful. They love pouncing on prey, climbing up to the tallest surfaces they can find, or running around after their favorite toys. As such, motility problems in cats are obvious and can send owners into a frenzy!
There are several types of different mobility issues. In particular, older cats often get stiff hind legs that make them walk weirdly. However, stiffness isn’t the only issue that could arise – you may also notice your cat’s hind legs turn weak and wobbly, making it difficult for them to run, jump, and climb.
When your cat starts walking weirdly with its back legs it can be a cause for concern. And don’t assume this drunk-like wobbly and unsteady walk is the result of too much catnip! In most cases, it is a sign that they have sustained an injury or are suffering from a medical condition such as diabetes. Some of the conditions can be life-threatening and are classified as a medical emergency.
Knowing that your little furball could be suffering isn’t a nice pill for any owner to swallow. But that’s why I have written this guide – to explain the reasons for lameness or limping in cats and help you pinpoint what is wrong with your feline. This way, you can get your cat the help it needs to ensure it’s back to its happy and playful self in no time.
Why Is My Cat Walking Weird On Its Back Legs?
If you’ve noticed your cat is walking weird on its back legs, it is important to understand why. This behavior is not normal and usually indicates that something is wrong. Cats are masters at hiding that they are in pain, so noticing changes in their mobility can be one of the first and only indications that they are suffering.
In general, hind leg mobility issues can be split into three different movement issues: stiffness, weakness, and wobbliness. Although not an exhaustive list, here’s a look at some of the most common medical conditions that could explain these three changes in mobility.
1. Arthritis
Arthritis is a common disease that causes joint inflammation. This inflammation makes joint movement, thus movement in general, extremely painful and much more difficult. It is common for arthritis to occur in the hip bones or joints in the hind legs, causing stiffness and limping when walking.
If you have a senior cat, arthritis is a common reason why your cat is walking weird on its back legs. It is a progressive disease that gradually gets worse as your cat’s joints and bones are put under pressure throughout life.
With that being said, younger cats can also suffer from arthritis. This is especially true if you have an overweight or obese cat, as the additional weight they are carrying can put excess strain on their joints. Genetics or any leg trauma can also increase the risk of a cat developing arthritis throughout its life.
Alongside walking weird in the back legs, other signs of feline arthritis you can look out for include:
- Reluctance to move
- Moving much more slowly
- Refusing to use the litter box due to pain
- Reduction in self-grooming behavior
- Signs of pain and/or aggression when being handled
- Sleeping more than usual
2. Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is another joint condition, this time affecting solely the hips. In a correctly functioning hip joint, there is a ball and socket which allows great freedom of movement. However, the ball and socket are misaligned in cats with hip dysplasia, making movement more difficult.
This disease is hereditary, meaning it can only be passed on from the mother or father to the kittens. As such, it is more common in purebred cats, specifically breeds including Maine Coons, Persian, and Himalayans. On the other hand, mixed breeds are less likely to suffer from this condition.
Despite being present since birth, most cats with hip dysplasia won’t be diagnosed until later on in life with little or no symptoms present at birth. However, as the cat gets older, the misaligned joint will pull on the surrounding tendons and wear down the bone, causing the hip to become loose. This loose hip joint results in several symptoms, including:
- Weakness in the hind legs
- Stiff and awkward walking and/or limping
- Signs of pain when the hip joints are touched
- Refusal to walk, move, and play
- Excessive licking and biting of the hindquarters
3. Muscle Wasting
Muscle wasting, scientifically known as muscle atrophy, is common. This is particularly true in older cats, with 40% of our older feline friends suffering from age-related muscle loss, known as sarcopenia. This explains why seeing an older cat losing weight in hindquarters is common – they naturally have a lower muscle mass than younger felines.
However, muscle wasting can be a side effect of another long-term illness. In these cases, the type of muscle loss is known as cachexia. Younger cats can also experience muscle atrophy if they aren’t receiving all the correct nutrients from their diets. Trauma and injury could further cause the breakdown and loss of muscle in their hindquarters.
Regardless of the cause, muscle wasting can cause a cat’s rear legs to become weak and wobbly. If your cat is unsteady on its back legs alongside looking rather thin at the rear, this is a likely explanation. Often, improving diet and exercise levels can help to build the lost muscle back up.
4. Diabetes
Diabetes often affects cats, especially overweight felines. In this disease, the body either doesn’t produce insulin or cannot accurately recognize and respond to the insulin that is produced. Insulin is an important hormone that helps to control blood glucose levels. Without insulin, blood glucose levels get extremely high.
High blood sugar levels cause all kinds of complications, one of which is hind leg neuropathy. Neuropathy is the result of the high levels of glucose affecting the nerves in your cat’s legs and paws. As a result, cats will walk weird with their back legs which will be weak, unsteady, and wobbly.
In addition to walking unsteadily, diabetic neuropathy left untreated could lead to complete loss of movement. The cat will also suffer from muscle atrophy as they are no longer using their hind legs. In worst-case scenarios, the tissue in the leg could die due to loss of blood flow, known as gangrene.
5. Neurological Problems
The specific part of a cat’s brain involved with voluntary and controlled movement is known as the motor cortex. This part of the brain sends signals to different areas of the body, telling the body part to move. In response, the body part will execute the movement and feedback to the brain.
Any damage to the neural pathway between the motor cortex and a cat’s hips or hind legs can make a cat unsteady on its back legs. They won’t be able to accurately control where they are placing their paws, making their walk very wobbly. They may also stumble over obstacles much more easily and drag their back paws along the floor.
All neurological issues are caused by damage to the brain. For example, an accident that causes brain trauma will see notable changes in brain function. However, several brain conditions can also develop slowly over time, making the changes less notable. For example:
- Brain cancers or benign tumors
- Motor neuron disease
- İnfection of the brain
6. Injury or Trauma
Aside from long-term and progressive medical conditions, short-term issues can also explain why your cat is walking weird with its back legs. Physical trauma is a common explanation – perhaps your cat has pulled a muscle in their legs or hips, broken or fractured a bone, or dislocated a joint.
Injuries like this are common in cats. They are curious creatures and can get up to all kinds of mischief! They may have accidentally been hit by a vehicle, especially if out exploring at night. They could have gotten into a fight with another cat or animal, or perhaps a heavy-handed child squeezed your cat a little too tight.
Minor injuries can too be responsible for a cat wobbly walking on its back legs. They could have an ingrown claw, burned their back paw pads, or have an open wound from stepping on something sharp. Taking your cat to the vet can help heal the injury and your cat will be prancing around again before you know it.
7. Bacterial or Viral Infection
Infections can also cause weakness and unsteady walking. Usually, this is the result of the infection affecting the brain or spinal cord, which in turn limits the ability of the hind legs to work as normal.
Several pathogens cause infection, including viruses and bacteria. Bacterial infections are commonly picked up by eating contaminated food or water, through open wounds, or a flea or tick bite. On the other hand, viral infections are usually passed on by direct contact with another infected cat.
There is a huge range of different infections cats can contract, but some of the most common that can cause back leg wobbly walking and weakness include:
- Feline Lukemia Virus (FeLV)
- Feline Coronavirus (FcoV)
- Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
8. Heart Disease
You may be surprised to see heart disease on this list. After all, heart disease affects the heart and the cardiovascular system, not your cat’s legs! However, cats with heart disease find it difficult to circulate blood around their bodies, meaning some parts don’t receive enough oxygen.
Your cat’s hind legs are one of their extremities and are often left without an adequate blood supply in cats with heart disease. This can make their walking weird and wobbly. You’ll likely know if your cat is suffering from heart disease as it is accompanied by a range of other symptoms, including the following:
- Reluctance to move or exercise
- Difficulty breathing and/or shortness of breath
- Fainting
- Rapid resting heart rate
- Lethargy
In addition, cats with heart disease are more likely to develop blood clots. Where the blood clot forms in the pelvic end of the aorta this is called a saddle thrombus. This artery supplies the blood to the lower half of the body, and so a clot here means the hind legs may become paralyzed as they are completely cut off from their blood supply.
Blood clots can also form in the brain tissue, preventing certain parts of the brain from receiving blood. This is known as a stroke and can cause a lack of balance, weakness, weird walking with their back legs, and muscle spasms. Strokes and other blood clots can be fatal and so prompt treatment from a vet is required.
How Can I Help My Cat Walk Normally?
If your cat is walking weird with its back legs, it is never a good sign! It is always an indication that something is wrong, and the underlying condition is usually pretty serious. As such, the best thing you can do for your cat is to take them to a vet as soon as you notice changes in their movement.
Your vet will conduct a physical examination to determine the underlying medical condition that is causing wobbly legs and unsteady walking. This could include a blood test, x-rays, scans, and other tests. Depending on their diagnosis, your vet will be able to offer treatment to improve the symptoms and/or cure the condition.
You can also help your cat by making your home as comfortable for them as possible. Doing things like switching to a litter tray with low sides, providing a soft and comfortable bed for them to rest, and discouraging vigorous activity can go a long way.
MY FINAL THOUGHTS
As a cat owner, I understand that a cat walking weirdly with its back legs can be scary as it is usually a sign that something is wrong. But if your cat is wobbly walking on its back legs or very unsteady, try not to panic! All you can do is take a trip to your vet as quickly as so the condition can be diagnosed.
Once diagnosed, effective treatment should have your cat walking normally again soon. Be sure to make changes in your home as well so that your cat feels as comfortable as possible. With diseases that cannot be cured, a loving owner and lots of care can mean your furry friend can still live a happy and fulfilling life.
My cat is walking wobbly with his hind legs, he can hardly walk, falling over all of the time. He only about 11 months old, I’ve taken him to the vet and he’s had x rays, blood tests, etc and nothing was found. He’s on anti inflamms at the moment but they do not seem to be doing anything. He wees in his litter box and does poos outside of box. I can only now keep him in the laundry as he will poo everywhere in the house otherwise. I don’t want him to be in pain but if the vet cannot find anything wrong with him what can I do?
I have a kitten with the same issue and it gradually worsens. Vet said it was an issue in the brain. I made a bed that helps him to keep his head raised and reposition him occasionally. I help him eat and drink. He can no longer get into the box so i got those gel wee pads for him to lay on. Vet gave no hope for recovery so im looking into products to help him stay sitting up as he eats.
Thanks for sharing your symptoms. I lost an older cat, 18 y/o, 11 months ago to saddle thrombus. She was paralyzed in hind legs. I had to put her down. Now, her sister from another litter, 15 years old, just POOPED on the floor (never happened before) & is walking with a wobbly left rear leg. I gave her the smallest amount of aspirin to help thin any potential blood clot & I have to get her to the vet ASAP. I hope there is hope.
Hi Mike,
My cat in in a similar situation to yours. He’s 15 years old and today he appeared to be sleeping comfortably in his bed. He suddenly got up and started to wobble around the room with his rear left leg seeming uneasy. He then did a poo on the carpet, this isn’t unusual for him when inside late at night so I didn’t think much of it.
How is your cat now?
Hello. My cat is 16+ yrs old and he started doing this this week, and pooping. I never had this before and I know he is old. I am trying to find a vet.
Aspirin is deadly for a cat.
I just saw a video on youtube about a mixture you can make with turmeric, coconut oil and salt which you rub on the legs and thighs of the cat and it fixed a paralyzed kitten in the video. They rubbed the mixture on him for about 6 days until he was up playing again. I am going through this as my cats legs gradually became worse and now he can’t even walk and I recently got him from the shelter only 4 months ago. There are many different causes for the wobbly and paralyzed legs.
Can you provide a link to that video?
I think we all know marinating kitten legs is not the answer. Probably just a coincidence.
No. Just no. Please don’t encourage useless remedies. Stick to science, please.
My 10 year old cat is experiencing this now I thought he hurt his hip but it’s has gotten worse the vet.said he has diabetes and and his hind legs are weak and wobbly due to neuropathy affecting his hind legs he has been on insulin 3 weeks but his glucose numbers are still high and looks like he has lost a lot of weight in his hind quarters. I don’t know what to do at this point.
Go to another vet check his digestion and ears.
My little rescue cat is around 12 years old .. difficult to predict her age as abandoned. She has gone through a stage of over-grooming her back paws however that’s stopped but now noticed she isn’t putting her back paws fully to the ground & it’s like she is walking on tiptoes? She is content & eating well but this is seriously not good !! Any ideas? Off to the vets, I think?
Went to the vet & they did xray on my cat. Found out his heart is double the size of a normal cat. He walks wobbly, his back legs are quite weak. Does this have anything to do with his heart condition?
The last section of the article was about heart disease…so I guess “yes”
My 16 year old cat just woke up a few hours ago and was wobbly on her back legs. I thought maybe she had to poop, but she didn’t. She has been fine up until now. I called the vet and she said it was probably arthritis. She said I could bring her in, but of course, its a holiday and she said it was up to me.
I am so worried. I have not had the best of luck with this vet lately. I tried rubbing her back legs. She walks around tippy toes on her back legs when she is up. Sleeping now. Not sure what to do. Should I go ahead and take her to vet this evening or go tomorrow?
Yes you must take her to the vet – if you already did how did it go? Taking mine tomorrow:(
My diabetic cat developed this problem last week. I thought maybe she was getting too much insulin because through blood test results the vet raised her insulin from 1 unit to 4. Took her back to the vet 5 days ago and she was given anti-inflammatory meds but no change. We also lowered her insulin to 3 1/2 units. I know it’s only been 5 days on meds but it’s so hard to see her like this. I pray it’s arthritis and the meds will start to help her soon.
My cat is well over 15 and recently started having what looks like seizures rolling around erratically and peeing while this happens. Almost like she has no control over the peeing or rolling around violently. First few times I thought it was from fleas biting. So she’s gotten some flea meds and a bath before that. Now she hasnt been doing it as much, but she is acting like her back legs are super week, and barely moving for her. And her claws keep getting stuck in the carpet making it that much more difficult for her.
Does anyone have a answer to what may be happening? We are going on vacation soon, and I’ll afraid to leave her alone like that. We are seriously thinking of putting her down, because she seems like shes suffering from all this. Im frustrated and confused!! Dont wanna loose my baby, but at the same time shes old, and lord knows how much longer she has on earth with us 🙁
My cat has just done this too, he did also have flea treatments, then the almost like a fit and he peed, wobbly back legs too now he’s 15 yrs old.
Giardia can lead to back leg weakness. Both of my cats experienced this after moving close to the lake as they are walked on leashes. After two exceptionally high vet bills, they finally found a positive Elisa test for Giardia they were given Panacur granules for a week. You can buy over the counter at most livestock stores. Tractor & Supply, The Country Store, Amazon (they only had the large container from what I recall) etc. Make sure to read dosing for cats from reliable source online and only use the granules. You can mix them into food or make a syringe with water. I like to mix with water and admin in syringe to ensure they get the entire dose. Within days symptoms cleared. Hope this helps.
Hi there!
Please can I ask you guys for some guidance. My cat is 19yrs old. We visit the vets regularly (once a month) and she has a vitamin B injection, Cartrophen injection, Siliensia injection (all for arthritis) she also has K-laser for blood stimulation. We have an opioid liquid and Gabapentin, both for general pain and nerve pain, two times a day.
She’s had x-ray on her spine and there’s arthritis there. But over the last 6 months, periodically she suddenly looses the strength in her back legs. She can’t stand up and it comes from nowhere! I massage her legs to stimulate the blood flow back into her legs and this helps. Her medication makes her sleepy which is a catch 22 scenario. It help with muscle and nerve pain but then if she sleeps a lot then she’s not using her muscles, which in turn makes them week. These ‘episodes’ of weakness come out of the blue. For days she can be ok and then there’s a few days she ‘all over the place, literally.’
She’s very clean and she eats Royal Canin prescription food. So she’s doing ok in every other aspect. She has pet stairs to get to the bed etc to help her too. She appears healthy and is checked regularly at the vets, but the list of pain covering medication is getting longer! The only thing that’s jumped out at me from reading this article that I don’t think has been addressed by my vets is Diabetes! And now after reading this, I’m not sure why not?!?!
I was wondering if anyone else had experienced anything similar in their cat too. As I mentioned, my little fur baby has regularly visits to the vets with a cocktail of medication too. It’s just so random when these episodes of her back legs just wobbling and then giving way! I’ve noticed if she lays in the sun, it almost definitely happens afterwards, for sure. And if she’s been asleep under the covers, it tends to happen then too. So something about temperature must be a factor as well.
I’d really appreciate any feedback, professional or otherwise because our furbabies are very precious in our lives and it’s heartbreaking to see them suffer and in distress when it happens! Very grateful in advance xx.
My little Eva, going on 13, has gradually developed weak and wobbly back legs over several months. She now loves the warm weekly baths I give her, as this also gets rid of fleas she picks up from time to time. And I now give her “E-Z Mobility” each day. But this is not a cure. Does not seem to be in pain. Diabetes? Arthritis? Any comments?
ANOTHER POSSIBLE CAUSE – Urinary Crystals (Crystalluria).
Crystals in urine occur when there are too many minerals in the urine, and not enough liquid. The tiny pieces collect and form masses. It can happen at any age, but presents in cats 2yrs and up(near full size) most often.
The good news is that it is most often diet related. If the cat always eats the same crunchy food, and doesn’t drink enough water (or vomits when they try) the crystals get bigger and, eventually, completely block the cat and prevent it from peeing.
Peeing becomes painful, the cat moves less, the bladder gets full, it hurts to keep the legs together, the cat gets lethargic, eventually starts to get cold, and can die if not treated.
if the cat gets fully blocked, they need an unblocking surgery IMMEDIATELY.
– IMPORTANT: GET THE CAT TO THE VET IMMEDIATELY, DON’T GUESS, DON’T WAIT.
– IMPORTANT: CHANGE THE DIET TO MORE WATERY ALTERNATIVES. THERE IS ANTI-CRYSTAL FOOD.
If it’s crystals the cat mayl be in pain and will want to spread their legs apart.
– ADDITIONALY: Cats with urinary crystals will typically avoid their food bowl, or will eat little and vomit. THEY NEED NUTRIENTS so don’t wait to see the vet. It can be fatal. When cats lose weight their liver cells fill with a toxin and, for whatever reason, cats can die from it.
– not eating, losing weight, signs of pain, vomiting, not going potty… all these symptoms say get to the vet asap.
Source: I lost a 2.5 year old family pet, and it got bad so fast we never noticed the symptoms until blockage happened. By then the liver was already failing. Don’t wait, SEE A VET ASAP.
I have a male kitty-who is approx 15-16 yrs old. He is w/CKD– stage 2-being treated with fluids once a week. Being diagnosed with arthritis a few months back, and has been receiving injections of Solensia. He has been on the decline with is back legs-they says he doesn’t need a potassium supplement-and everything else is ok-according to his blood work. He is a feisty kitty. This week, his 1 back leg appears to splay out abit while walking, . I’am at a loss as to what to do-need a 2nd opinion.
my 11yo female 6lb cat began walking a bit odd the past few weeks. then in the last 2 days she meowing alot like shes in pain, taking long gaited steps with her rear legs and DRAGGING the TOPS of her feet on the ground as she walks? i can lift her by the stomach but if i attempt to lift her off the ground by only her chest/front legs (so she dangles) she screams in pain and actually bit me hard for the first time ever. took her to the vet they took xrays that didnt really show anything and blood work which, preliminarily came back ok… we are waiting on the balance of it to come back. after googling a lot i also checked the temperature of her rear paw pads and they felt cold which seems to indicate poor blood flow or a blockage. shes still eating well but can barely get up and down the stairs and now cant get into the litter box. my doc thinks its arthritis but that just doesnt seem to make sense since this all seems to have come out of nowhere and went from 1 to 10 in under 2 weeks. pain meds seemed to have helped her a bit but shes easily agitated if you try to move her too much. not sure what to do for my poor baby.