We are often asked if disabled cats adapt to wheelchairs. Just take a look at Yoda.In this video, you can see that Yoda is completely relaxed using his wheels outside. And as seen in this video, Yoda’s rehabilitating in his cart, using his rear legs to help propel the wheels.
We have collaborated with cat owners to successfully fit disabled cats in carts. Cats ARE cats – not dogs – and their first instinct when placed into any device is to try to climb out of it. You have to use some cat psychology when introducing wheels to a kitty.
The first thing we do after we receive an order for a cat is to send out a cat harness for the cat to get used to wearing while we build the wheelchair. The cat harness should be put on the cat to wear at all times, so that he gets used to wearing something…..and once the cart arrives, a piece of double-sided velcro is used to attach the cat harness to yoke of the cart. The cat cannot escape, and after a period of transition, comes to accept the wheels.
The challenge then becomes how to make this wheelchair fun. We recommend that cats who use carts need to let outside to explore the world in their carts. The life of an indoor cat is simply not interesting enough to justify putting up with any apparatus, and cats are easily bored.
This is so awesome to see, thank you for posting this. I may be contacting you about something similar to this cart for cats, but I’m needing not quite a cart.
God bless you and your work!
Thanks!
Just wondering what kind of condition Yoda has? I have a kitten that has cerebral hypoplasia (CH for short) and she can not stand or walk. She crawls on her side and can use all her legs however her balance and coordination is off because of her condition. Just curious if a walker would be beneficial to an animal with her condition.
We’ve tried to get CH cats to use carts with little success. Most CH cats adapt to their condition by hugging the wall. It depends on the severity of the balance issues.
You’ve hit the ball out the park! Incrdebile!
Did you receive a response to your question? I have a 9 month old kitten with the same condition. Looking for ways to help him move around the house better.
Without knowing what your cat’s condition is, I ‘d suggest that you email me, Leslie@eddieswheels.com, with more details about what your kittens’ challenges are. Photos and short videos are always helpful.
Without knowing more details about your kitten’s condition, it’s hard to respond. As the article implies, cats are easily bored, so lettling them use the cart outside is great motivation for them to actually use a cart. Send photos and video of your kitten to me, Leslie@eddieswheels.com and I’ll give you more specific feedback.
My cat fractured his back right femur not to long ago and now has nerve damage in both his hind legs. He crawls aroung the house just using his front legs. Would this wheelchair benefit him ?
Yes, it probably would, especially if he’s getting rug burns on his legs from dragging.
Our cat Tigger was struct by our neighbor, but we can not prove that. He to had spinal surgery and he’s paralyzed from the waist down, dragging his butt on the floor. He also needs to be expressed, which means I have to force out his urine three times a day. He is like my child, and I our vet four digit bill just shy of five digits, dig not temp me to put him down. I have hope in God, and I will try anything to improve his livelyhood. Aside from his handicap, he is a bullet on two front paws, full of love and energy, and never late for chow! Jim Fontana, CA
Hi Jim,
My cat, Tiny, fell from a balcony this past September. Her spine and cord were severed and the vets told me from day 1 that she has no chance of walking again, and they strongly recommended that i put her down. i could not bring myself to it, but had initial fears of what my life would be like caring for her special needs. it has been almost 5 months now, and i have no regrets. she has had one bladder infection so far, but overall, she seems content with her life of lounging, preening and being loved. we got a dusting of snow last night (rare for texas), and wouldnt you know it? Tiny “ran” right out the door and into the snow as i brought in the groceries – still eager as ever to explore new things, i guess. i think it’s time i get her fitted for some wheels. When was Tigger hurt? is he on wheels yet? i’d be interested to trade stories/advice/ideas/etc if you are. – Meme, TX
Spring is a good time for thinking about a cart. We’ve noticed cats are easily bored, so they usually want to go outside to use their wheels.
hello one of my cats cant use his back legs due to blood colts in his back feet and i was wondering where i could get one of them cat wheel chairs for him
Yes, we build carts for cats. Same measurements as for a dog. Cats get tied in to their carts, as they instinctively seek escape, so we provide a cat harness.
hello i’ have a 2in a half main coon kitty, in wicth I adopted. he was born with his legs in word, and walks on his knees. they are bothering him and hurtting me. I love him dearly I hope you have somethimng that can work. thank you very much.julianne
Measure him according to chart on the website, and we’ll be happy to build him a cart.
1. How does the cat lay down once the wheels are on?
2. Who can I contact for pricing?
Carts are for exercise – so they cannot lie down in a cart. You might end up taking your cat for a walk outside. Cat carts are $370 plus shipping.
Do you make carts for a cat that has no feeling in his back legs? the cart can hold the backs legs for him to move around.
my cat recently had a stroke. which left him with no feeling in the back legs.
Yes, for cats with real paralysis, we suspend the feet up on stirrups so that they don’t drag on the ground.
Im so glad to have found more cat people like me. Dancer is my baby he’s parlized in his hips dew to some injury when he was a kitten befor I got him he’s now 5 and wears a diper my cousin is going to build him a cart I can’t wait. Hope dancer likes it. He may not cause he crawls all over the place
my cat has pelvic fractures m can’t afford surgery we are heart broken n thought he would Hav to go to heaven.but seeming this video u give us hope.scratch is only 2.5 yrs old..Wat is ur pricing please.email me thank u
Ask your vet if our saddle will be comfortable for him, since it supports on the pelvis – it would depend on where the fracture is. A cart would be $325.00
hi my cat has been shot in the back and has lost the use of her back legs how much would it be for one of your carts x