Bringing my recently-amputated cat home after long time away...

Question
Hi Carol,
I appreciate you being available to share your knowledge and insight. I moved into a house 2 years ago that had a cat named Suki. When her original owner moved out, Suki stayed, because this is her home, and she's an outdoor cat. (We live in the mountains.) When I went out of town, she must have gotten left outside by the other roommates, because one of her legs was badly injured when I got back. Her original owner took her to the vet and her leg was amputated. The original owner decided to keep Suki at her tiny apartment to let her heal, much to my dismay. 7 months later, she finally let Suki come back to her home. We've had her back for two days now, and she is adjusting very well and is obviously happy to be home. My main question is, when should we let her go back outside again? We are keeping her in right now so she can feel secure, safe, and re-aquainted with her home. But she gazes longingly out the windows and doors, and her favorite things to do have always been hunting bugs, lizards, mice, etc outside. I thought I would start small-  take her outside with me for limited periods of time. But I'm not sure how long to keep her inside, and what other kinds of considerations we should have now that she's slightly "disabled". There are coyotes, racoons, and other cats in out neighborhood.

Any thoughts you have are greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Sara

Answer
Poor baby! Animals though are very resiliant and bounce back quickly. Unfortunately they don't have the reasoning ability to know that they are not the same and don't have the same mobility, endurance, and ability to get away from danger as quickly.

You are going to have to be her 'body-guard' and 'watch her back'. I would start by leaving the door cracked open and let her decide when to go out or come in. If the experience that she had regarding her leg injury was traumatic, she may not want to venture far, but maybe just lay in the sun and 'get some rays'.

She may tire more quickly because she is not used to redistributing her weight to keep her balance. And her other legs don't have the stamina built up yet. But she won't realize it until she keeps going, then gives out.

Make sure she doesn't overdo it. You have to be the 'parent'. Bring her in if she looks like she is tiring. She may not know it. They can take alot more pain than we can, but don't let that happen, it's not necessary.

I would let her 'do her thing' when she wants to. But make sure you watch her and check on her often.

Racoons and cats I wouldn't think would be a problem. But Coyotes ARE. They are sneaky, quick, and cats are their favorite meal (so I was told one time by an Animal Control Officer). A crippled prey is just what they are looking for. Maybe put a loud bell on Suki. I'm not sure if that would help scare a coyote off, but at least you know where she is.

I would definitely bring her in at night. It wouldn't be fair for her to have gone through all the trauma she did with the amputation, just to be a quick snack for a wild animal.

Her life has to change and be more controlled. She may not like it, and may not realize you are trying to save her life, not cut down on her fun, but her ability to escape danger has greatly diminished.

Idea: if you have a lot of room, maybe you can build a large enclosed area for her where she can be outside yet be safe.

She WILL adapt and she WILL be fine! She's a lucky kitty to have such caring owners.

Carol