Help! My Cat Walks Bow-Legged! (Vet Answered)
This question has been answered by a vet
Veterinarian & Animal Behaviorist
With nearly two decades in veterinary medicine, Dr. Paola brings hands-on experience across multiple species. A graduate of the University of Guadalajara, she specializes in preventive care, animal welfare, and positive reinforcement training.
The Question
“ Hello. My male 18-month-old tuxedo cat is like a limo (or dachshund of a cat). His brother is long too, but Onyx is abnormally long. And has the lowest tail I have ever seen as well. My question is, can his length cause him extra spinal issues? He kind of walks bow-legged. And he and his brother were running around several months ago. Onyx hit the dresser hard and since then, he has had a tiny bump near his back. I am assuming like a bruise. How long could a bruise like this last? I am also wondering what kind of cat has a very long length as he does so I can research. I have looked everywhere, but can’t seem to find a guy that looks like him. His face looks similar to a Bombay and he has very very sleek medium hair and talks constantly with the tiniest meow. ” – Cathie
Quick Info about Onyx
Hi Cathie,
I have never heard of an extra-long cat. When we compare Dachshunds to the cat version, we are usually looking at Munchkin cats who have short legs due to an agenetic mutation known as achondroplasia or chondrodysplasia. Since you are not mentioning short legs but bow-leggedness, I am assuming Onyx’s legs are normal length. It sounds like Onyx has some physical abnormalities, but knowing exactly what from your description is unfortunately not possible.
However, you are right, pets with abnormally long spines are more susceptible to suffering from spinal issues, for example, intervertebral disc disease. If we consider Onyx’s long spine is combined with other anatomical variations like a low-set tail or bow-legged gait we can assume there is potential for additional stress on the spine and joints, which could lead to discomfort or mobility challenges over time.
Since you describe the accident that happened months ago and the bump is still there, the best thing you could do is get Onyx checked by a vet. They will need to do at least some X-rays and possibly even an MRI to diagnose what is going on. After examination, the vet may also be able to give you a diagnosis of his condition.
By your description, it sounds like he might be a mixed cat but if you want to be certain about his genetic makeup you can by performing a DNA test, and for this, you can get a kit and don’t even need to get the vet involved.
As an additional tip, I would recommend keeping a close eye on Onyx, paying special attention to his mobility, and reporting any changes in his activity levels to your vet. You could also do some modifications to your home environment to ensure there are no extremely high surfaces to jump from, adding ramps for him to easily climb on to couches or beds, add some soft landing areas, and perhaps even some secure playpens to minimize the risk of accidents and collisions.
Best wishes!
Dr. Paola