Are K9 Carts OK for Cats?

Cat in quad wheelchair
"London" is a siamese kitten using a quad wheelchair.

to the expense, most pets are diagnosed by a veterinarian based on the classic jerky movement.  Despite their disability, many of these animals can capture one's heart since besides the poorly developed cerebellum, the pupply or kitten may be an otherwise normal loving pet.

Cerebellar Hypoplasia and Quad Carts

Because fine control of locomotion is disturbed in these animals, they will typically need a four-wheel or quad wheelchair.  Ideally, because the degree of disability varies from kitten to kitten, we prefer to do a final fitting in-house, but that is not always possible. Also, since the kittens are not full grown, the fact that K9 Cart Co East four-wheel carts are adjustable in height, width, and length is especially important to allow changes to the cart as the kitten becomes a cat.

London is an 7-month old siamese kitten that we fitted with our new four-wheel adjustable cat wheelchair.  Prior to testing out her wheelchair, she had never been able to stand or walk.  Like most siamese, she is very thin despite having a horse's appetite.  Since she cannot walk on her own, standard litterbox training was not possible.  Instead, her owner, Michelle, takes her to use the toilet in their house.  The cue for London to do her business is that she runs the water in the sink! Necessity is always the mother of invention.  While we never expect London to walk absolutely normally, her cat wheelchair will help her to build strength in her legs. It will also allow her to eat standing up and help prevent lung infections from either accidentally breathing food into her lungs or from laying on one side too long. Since London's brain is still developing, we have often seen these animals train other parts of their brain and learn to walk with less assistance (or sometimes no assistance) from their wheelchair.  Because London has never stood on her own before, she will need to start with short intervals in her cat wheelchair until she builds up more strength.  For now, we know London was pleased about her K9 Cart since we could here her purring! 

Update February 26, 2011:  Here are a few more pictures of London as she was getting adjusted to her cart.  We understand that she is now exploring her home like a normal kitten and even taking a few other critters for rides.

Tuning up cat wheelchair Front view cat wheelchair Bird riding on cat wheelchair
Jamie is tuning up London's wheelchair. "London" is learning to stand and walk in her new wheelchair for the first time. "Mia" goes for a ride on London's wheelchair.

Want more info?

Not sure whether a cart will work for you? Peruse our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) at K-9Cart.com. If you can't find an answer there, look at our Forums or post a question there yourself. Or shoot us an email at k9carts[@]yahoo.com or call us toll-free at 866-K9-CARTS (866-592-2787.)