Disabled cats will require more attention and care compared to other cats. If you’re adopting or fostering a disabled cat, here is some information that you may need to know!
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Some cats are born disabled, and some become disabled after an unfortunate accident, disease, or old age. Whatever the reason is, disabled cats still deserve a loving, comfortable home.
According to the researchers, every year, about 3 million disabled cats get euthanized because people do not want to adopt them. But disabled cats are not much different than able-bodied cats; they are playful, full of life and love.
Disabled cats will need special care depending on their disability as amputee cats, deaf or blind cats have different difficulties.
Amputee cats are those who have lost one or more limbs as a result of an injury or a disease. Cats who only lose one limb can adapt better than those who lose more than one as they may need a wheelchair.
If you have an amputee cat, make sure their bed, food, and water bowls are at a level that they can reach comfortably. Please provide a little step for your cat so he can reach its litter box easily. Kitty diapers are another option that you can use, especially right after the amputation surgery, or if your cat is struggling to walk.
Your cat might need help with grooming so you can help him groom the parts of his body that he cannot reach.
It’s important to remember that your cat can have a hard time right after the surgery, both physically and emotionally.
After the surgery, it’s better to keep your cat indoors, preferably in one room to prevent him from running around and jumping too much, until all his wounds are healed. Once your cat is all healed and has his confidence back, you can let him enjoy the fresh air and allow him to go outside. It’s highly recommended to supervise them while they are outside, especially the first couple of times, to make sure they are safely enjoying themselves.
Another important thing to remember is to monitor your amputee cat’s body weight because it can affect the way he moves, and if there’s too much weight on the healthy limbs, it can cause arthritis later.
Some cats get stressed after amputation and start overeating. You can consult your vet about your cat’s ideal weight and the proper diet plan.
Some cats are born deaf, and others become deaf with either old age or because of a disease. Deaf cats usually adapt to their environments easier than you might think. Deaf cats use their other senses to make up for their missing hearing ability.
Deafness degrees and reasons vary, and in some cases, it can be reversible.
Some of the reasons for reversible deafness are;
Reasons for permanent deafness are:
You can find the reason for your cat’s deafness by consulting a vet and getting the proper treatment if it’s reversible.
While caring for your deaf cat, try to make sure he can see you approach him. Deaf cats can be startled easily because they can not hear. You can stamp your foot or clap your hands to get their attention.
It’s highly recommended to keep deaf cats indoor because they cannot be aware of the sounds and possible dangers outside.
You can teach your cat to recognize some hand gestures or a signal so that they can recognize they are being called.
If you want to wake your sleeping deaf cat do not touch the cat directly; instead, tap the area he’s sleeping. Otherwise, he will be startled.
Blind cats, whether they were born blind or lost sight over time, require extra care so that they can live a happy life.
Some cats are born blind or have limited ability to see while others may lose vision as they age. If the losing sight happens with age, most cat parents cannot realize it because blind cats can adapt well to losing sight gradually and use their other senses.
If you suspect that your cat is losing his sight, observe your cat for symptoms such as;
Change in behavior, disorientation,
Liquid discharge from the eye or swelling,
Change in the appearance of the eye,
Bumping into objects or walls around the house,
If you see such symptoms in your cat, you should consult a vet as soon as possible.
With the information provided in this article, we hope that more people will realize that disabled cats are not too much of a liability, and they all deserve a loving home. Whether you are adopting or fostering a disabled cat, these tips can help you take better care of them.
Share your thoughts with us in the comments section! How do you take care of your disabled cats?