Luxating Patella in Cats: An Uncommon but Real Cause of Limping

In this guide

A kneecap that slips out of its normal groove, known as a luxating patella, is a condition most people associate with small dog breeds. It does happen in cats too, just less often, and it is worth knowing about so that an intermittent, skipping limp in your cat does not get written off as nothing.

Why it happens

In most cats, this is a developmental issue present from a young age, where the groove at the end of the thigh bone that the kneecap should glide within is too shallow, allowing the kneecap to slip sideways, most commonly toward the inside of the leg. Devon Rex and Abyssinian cats appear to have a genuine breed predisposition, though it can occur in any cat. It can also result from an injury that damages the soft tissue holding the kneecap in place.

Recognising it

• An intermittent 'skipping' or hopping gait on one back leg, that resolves after a few steps
• Lameness that comes and goes rather than staying constant
• A leg held up briefly before your cat puts weight back on it
• In more severe or chronic cases, a noticeably bow-legged stance

Unlike many joint problems, a luxating patella in cats often does not look particularly painful in its milder grades, which is part of why it can go unnoticed for a while.

Diagnosis

A vet can usually feel the kneecap slip in and out of place during a physical examination of the knee joint, sometimes with an audible or palpable click. X-rays help assess the severity and check for any associated bone changes, particularly useful before deciding whether surgery is warranted.

Treatment

Mild cases, especially those causing little or no visible lameness, are often managed conservatively with weight management, joint supplements, and pain relief during flare-ups, without surgery. More severe or persistently symptomatic cases benefit from surgical correction, which may involve deepening the groove, repositioning the tendon attachment, or tightening the surrounding soft tissue, depending on what is driving the instability. The prognosis with surgery is generally good, though the most severe cases carry a real chance of the kneecap slipping again even after correction, which your vet will discuss honestly before you commit to the procedure.

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