Adopting a 'tri-paw'

[Hannibalism]

Potentially adopting, more accurately, we're going to meet her later this week!

Have had cats consistently for 30 years, but never one missing a limb. She's a hind-leg tripaw, amputated as a kitten. Fosterer says she's incredibly well adapted and doesn't appear to realise that she's a leg down, which fits with everything I've read online.

But are there any obvious questions we should ask or tips that may help her/us in the initial stages if we go ahead. Would it be beneficial to buy some little steps to get onto furniture etc? Litter tray - do tripaws have any difficulty/more prone to get in a mess if they can't squat as well, is a deeper tray better? We know that keeping them a healthy weight is even more important than usual to reduce strain on the remaining limbs.

My friend's cat had his back leg amputated when he was older and he adapted fine. She thought she would have to make changes but didn't have to in the end. He refused to use a litter tray and managed to break out of her house while he was still healing (he could open doors and his sister helped him wrench the covering of the catflap off). They are really remarkable animals and learn to adjust well.

It sounds like for this little one she's never really known life with four paws so she should be fine. Congratulations! Very excited for you!

I’ve met a few tripods. Their lack of a leg has made no difference to them whatsoever.

I have a tripod cat. She had her rear left leg amputated when she was roughly a year old. It hasn't affected her. She's as fast as any of the other cats, no issues with the litter tray, jumping on things etc. She does like having her left ear scratched as she can't do it, but when you do, her little stump twitches like she's scratching along with you 😁

Apparently she may be more prone to arthritis in her right rear leg as she gets older, but for now everything is fine and it's been about 6 years I think.

Oh bless her Rum if we get our girl I'll make sure I give her scratches on that side!

Have you met her yet? Any photos? One other tri-paw anecdote. Many many years and cats ago, I went to a local rescue shelter run by two fantastic women. They were showing me round and introducing me to the resident cats. They pointed one cat out and said her name was "Amita". I thought it was a really pretty name and asked its origins. I was told "She only has three legs, and 3 feet is roughly a metre".

She’ll probably not even notice the missing leg and will be just like any other cat. But quite honestly, ask the foster carer what you need and what’s beneficial! After all, they will know the individual cats needs better than any one here! Good luck 😻

Well she will be coming home next week, paperwork all finalised today😍

Bless her she was so nervous to have strangers turn up in her safe space peering at her but demonstrated very clearly that the leg doesn't slow her down as she ran to hide! Will add some photos when she's here and settled!

Fosterer doesn't think she needs any additional adaptations, she's just as active as the four-legged cats she's caring for. Hopefully our current girl accepts a little sister without giving us too much cattitude!

Excellent news! My tripod Ghostie is very speedy when she wants to be. It's amazing how little the loss of a leg affects them.

My 3-legged cat cleared a 6' fence whilst being chased by a dog. He needed no special treatment throughout his long life.