Published Jun 3, 2026
Have you ever met a three-legged cat? Though it’s scary when a cat loses their leg, animals are incredibly adaptable, and most cats who lose a limb go on to live pretty normal lives afterward.
Haggis the cat’s mom learned this in 2018, when Haggis jumped off of the couch and broke his shoulder. The break couldn’t be repaired in surgery, so his veterinarian recommended amputation. His mom says that even on three legs, Haggis is still the fastest cat in the house!
Haggis the T-Rex
Haggis is a unique cat with some super funny quirks. He wants attention all day long, which led to him thinking up a unique training technique for his humans.
When Haggis wants some love, he stands up on his hind legs, giving his mom the sweetest wide-eyed stare and waving his front paw for attention. He looks adorable, like a little T-rex, and it gets him his way every time.
Since his humans can’t help but pet him when he stands up, Haggis has learned to do it more and more. If his mom stops petting him before he’s done, he’ll just stand back up again, like he’s begging for attention.
She says he’ll do this five or six times in a row, then turn and walk away. Like most cats, he has no problem letting you know when he’s done!
This is a great way for Haggis’ mom to check for consent while petting him, which is something we should all be doing with our pets. Even if your cat doesn’t stand like Haggis, you can occasionally stop giving scritches and see if they ask for more–or if they’re content to settle on your lap or walk away instead.
The Purrs of a Dinosaur
purrlingtonabbey / Instagram.com
“Normally, instead of laying down like a cat, he sits up like Buddha,” Haggis’ mom says, continuing to explain her cat’s quirky personality.
Haggis will fall asleep sitting up, and especially loves to sit like this in the middle of his bean bag chair.
He’s an incredibly happy boy who “does not have an anger button,” as his mom puts it. He has a unique purr that sounds like a dinosaur, and it’s so loud that she had to tell her kids not to pet him while they’re watching a movie. He purrs right over the TV!
Caring for Tripod Cats
purrlingtonabbey / Instagram.com
If there’s one thing that people take away from Haggis’ story, his mom wants us to know that tripod, or three-legged, cats don’t require special care. They’re as happy and affectionate as any other cat, and she rarely thinks about Haggis’ disability anymore.
Haggis brings joy to his whole home, and it’s a shame that some cats like him don’t get adopted because of their missing limb.
Although three-legged cats are pretty simple to care for, weight management becomes extra important when a cat is missing their limb. This ensures they can continue to move around easily and aren’t putting extra strain on their remaining limbs.
The other thing to know is that these cats may struggle a bit more to get around, especially as they adjust to their new reality. You may need to adjust their surroundings, either temporarily or permanently, to help them access what they need. This can include things like a low-sided litter box, carpet runners to stop them from slipping on hard floors, and lots of low-level resting places.
These small adjustments can make a world of difference, and help you to help a cat in need! We share even more in our guide to adopting a disabled cat.
If you want to see more of Haggis, be sure to check out him and his cat siblings on Instagram!
