What Is Cow Hocked In Cats – The Deformity Explained

If you’ve ever seen a cat from behind, you’ll know that most cats have tall, long legs. If your cat’s legs are not straight, then your cat may be cow hocked. Now, this doesn’t mean that your cat is going to turn into a cow, but what is cow hocked in cats?

Cow hocked in cats is a physical deformity in cats where a cat’s hind legs bow into each other. It is called cow-hocked because it resembles the body structure of cattle. 

Aside from making your cat look physically different, cow-hocked legs can make your cat’s life painful. This seemingly goofy deformity could lead to spine and hind leg issues, so it’s essential to find the correct treatment for your cat. Keep reading to learn more about this deformity. 

Cow Hocked Cat Symptoms

The main symptom in cow-hocked cats is the visible sign of their legs bowing. There are, however, symptoms that can pop up that affect your cat in the long term.

Some of these symptoms and consequences are:

• Early-onset arthritis in your cat, which can make it painful to walk
• Damage to the spine
• Inability to adequately defend against predators

Cow-hocked legs in cats are a physical deformity, but over time, they can lead to other issues that could severely impact the quality of your cat’s life. 

What Problems Does Cow Hocked Cause In Cats

Two of the significant problems that cow hocked can cause are arthritis and damage to the spine.

Arthritis isn’t only going to happen to cats with cow-hocked legs, but it can be debilitating for any pet, especially when they are older. Arthritis will cause your cat to have swollen, painful joints.

This may also lead to your cat having difficulty walking, standing, and jumping. 

Arthritis happens to many of our pets as they age, but it could happen sooner to cats with cow-hocked legs.

Spinal damage is also a problem for cats with cow-hocked legs. Your cat’s spine is not aligned as it should be when its legs are bowed.

As your cat walks, jumps, and moves daily, there is a chance that it is slowly damaging your cat’s spine. 

Why Is My Cat Walking On His Hocks

Walking on their hocks is often a way that a cat can show you that something is wrong.

If you’ve never seen a cat walk on his hocks, it might look a little funny. Your cat has an extra joint at the back of his leg, which is called a hock. If you’re not too sure what I’m talking about, think about that joint that almost looks like a backward knee on your cat’s kind legs.

Cats will walk on their hocks when they are experiencing some sort of weakness or disability. 

Cats with diabetes will often start to walk on their hocks as their nerves deteriorate. This could lead to possible paralysis, so it is essential to take your cat to the vet if you see this happening. 

Your cat may also walk on his hocks if he has a vitamin deficiency, which may or may not be connected to your cat’s diabetes. This vitamin deficiency may lead to an overall weakness in your cat’s legs. 

This may have been your first thought, but an injury could also cause your cat to walk on his hocks. 

Do All Cat Breeds Get Cow Hocked

Specialists aren’t sure yet if all cat breeds can suffer from cow-hocked legs.

More research needs to be done if experts want to identify which cat breeds are more prone to cow-hocked legs.

Although no one knows if cow-hocked legs are prevalent in some breeds more than others, breeders can still take preventative measures.

Most people recommend against breeding cats that have cow-hocked legs. It is not a guarantee that it will get passed down to the litter, but there is a chance that it could. 

If a breeder chooses to breed a cow-hocked cat, that gene and genetic deformity will continue to get passed through new litters. It is also a possibility that the deformity can become dormant with a few litters and reemerge in later litters.

Can Cow Hocks Be Corrected

Cow hocks in cats cannot be completely corrected.

I know you may want to help your cat in any way you can, but cow hocks are not something that can be fixed or cured.

There is a treatment to help a cat that is cow-hocked, but your cat’s legs cannot be straightened in a way that makes them normal. 

Things To Consider

You can’t correct cow-hocked legs in cats, but some treatments can help manage your cat’s deformity and help any pain that may come with it. 

Medication

If your cat is dealing with arthritis from its cow-hocked legs, then one of the best treatments for your cat is medication for arthritis. This will help with any swelling or pain that may come along with arthritis. 

Specialized Exercises

Exercises can do wonders for a cat with cow-hocked legs. 

You can work with your vet to develop an exercise plan that will help the appearance of your cat’s legs. In addition, it may help to straighten your cat’s legs somewhat. If you do not keep up with these exercises, however, then your cats may end up reverting back to bowed legs. 

Supplements

Supplements can also do wonders for your cat. 

There are specialized supplements that you can purchase and add to your cat’s diet. Some supplements can help with your cat’s joint health. 

Much like exercise or other treatments, supplements won’t do anything to correct your cat’s cow-hocked legs, but they could make your cat’s life easier and less painful.

If you are not sure that any of the above treatments are helping your cat, then you should speak with your vet to develop a specialized plan. Some cats may need more specific care to target inevitable pain caused by the bow in their legs.