"Life for a three-legged cat can be challenging, but with the right support and care, they can still lead happy, fulfilling lives." Herbie was the next feline to join the family. Once the stitches were removed he slowly started gaining strength and better health. They must be restrained in a cat carrier or cage while traveling to the vet. If your cat is undergoing amputation surgery, you should limit their movement for the first 1014 days post-surgery. Pave the road to your cats recovery with carpet runners or other non-slick surfaces on areas your cat likes to travel. My adorable, funny, two-year-old boy was lying in our front yard. This helps to protect them from more injuries. You gave me hope that he'll be back to himself soon. And this can change largely due to their own temperament and personality. Strong muscles will help support the joints in the remaining limbs that will now come under increased strain. Prosthetics are ridiculously expensive apparently, Im not sure what to do here to relieve him of some of his muscular and joint burden. While likely a bit difficult at first, as with anything, it seems like they are more than capable of adapting to their new situation. Even the man next door who didn't like you at all when you had four legs will say "Ah!". Feeling very proud and hopeful for his future! But once everything is properly healed, theres lots of opportunity to engage your cat in stimulating activities. For that reason, I put his bed, plus food and water, and a small litter box, inside a soft-sided pet pen. Read this next: 8 Best Extra Large Litter Boxes. Henrys been with Puppytoob and Kittentoob nearly his entire career. Litter box sizes and shapes can factor in as well. This is where they continue to attempt to scratch themselves with their missing leg. They pretend to feel well even when they dont. Though they are often the cats not adopted at shelters, with the right families, they go on to live incredibly interesting cat lives. Thanks for your comment tete1965. If you want your cat to spend time outdoors, teach her to walk with a harness and leash, or construct a cattery to enable your cat to enjoy the outdoors safely. Remember that your tripod kitty will need time to adjust to her new life with only three legs, especially if she was full grown when her leg was amputated. Predators, cars and more are dangers for all cats who go outside and tripods will have an even harder time escaping from those hazards. Pingback: Excellent Guidance And Concepts About Pets That Anyone Can Understand The Chausie. Three legged cats can use a litterbox, eat, groom themselves, run, play, sleep, and perform all the regular functions of four legged cats, although this adjustment process can take time. This is exacerbated if your cat already has a handicap. Only attempt to move an injured cat if you can keep yourself and the cat safe. You have to be there for them and love them. Gradually, over the next month, my little friend showed amazing recovery, physically and mentally. And advice would be appreciated. Theage of the cat affects the emotional standpoint more than anything. Overall, if you continue to shower your feline friend with lots of support and love, were sure their confidence and optimism will only grow with time. A Simple Cat Feeding Guide. Charm - The phrase "Third time's the charm" refers to the superstition that after two failures in any endeavor, a third attempt is more likely to succeed. Erma dashes up our sisal-covered cat tree with the same speed as our four-legged cats. We were more afraid of her falling but kidney failure took her at the age of 10. Although Bonnie was growling she wasnt attacking. As mentioned earlier, while climbing and running aren't too big of an issue, jumping and leaping can pose a problem for cats suffering from three legs, especially if one of their missing legs is a hindleg. Hi! Dochas - for the three Doshas (weaknesses) He has cancer and the prognosis is good if we remove his leg. Depending on the age the cat had its leg removed will change how the cat initially reacts emotionally. Then we tested the waters and Bonnie (tripod) started growling and smacking her instantly. Jan 5, 2007 #2 trouts mom TCS Member Top Cat Joined Mar 4, 2006 Messages I am not sure why the vet would only do a partial amputation either. If you have pets already, taking on a tripod cat shouldnt affect them much, since their needs and activity levels are fairly similar to those of four-legged felines. This provides a place to rest which is hidden and satisfies a cats longing for some privacy. Hi Rachel, He has recently had his leg amputated as the fur is growing back, and he had his stitches out a couple weeks back. Although three-legged cats are very good at adapting to their handicap, they are still at a disadvantage when dealing with the dangers that face outdoor cats. He was a barn cat who had a compound fracture to his back, left leg. (How To Tell if a Cat is in Pain). So far so good. It goes without saying that adult cats who have grown up with four legs may take longer to adjust to an amputation than, for example, a younger cat. About Cats Protection Our vision Our history Annual Review Offeryour tripod cat a low-sided litter box that will provide easier access. Tweet. That's s Texas sized 10-4. A true fighter never quits; Faith was brought into our shelter with maggot wounds on both the hind limbs and bones exposed. He, as I expected, had that leg amputated. Use newspaper-based litter for the first two weeks after surgery. Aww, that's so wonderful to hear Pam. Tumors-large tumors often invade the soft tissues or spread throughout a bone and the disease may only be cured by removing the entire leg. Or you can set up objects in ascending height that will allow her to gradually make her way up to the top. Thanks for your comment, Nicola. I wanted to work with the owner to vet him, but she wanted to put him down. It went smoothly and while the recovery period was rough, my cat didnt seem to even notice his leg was gone! Any help would be appreciated. (Were not going to heavily focus on cat leg amputation complications in the article. im hoping this will improve in time, as he does not like to be helped when this happens. Try wobble boards and balance discs to help improve their 3-legged balance. Tripods can jump. The truth is that many 3-Legged cats do quite well after their surgeries when supported by the proper recovery measures. Thanks for your comment, Valerie. Feather wands are usually great for this. DonateSponsor Adopt a cat Find a cat Choosing a cat Preparing for a cat Buying a kitten Adopt a cat FAQs What is our adoption fee? I thanked God and knew that we were on the right path. Especially if they have clear exit points and youre close to hand to keep them safe. While there are a lot of things your little kitty can do largely on her own with enough time and patience, there are a few things that she'll have a bit of a harder time with without a bit of help on your end. She has adjusted well to running and playing, however she has been sitting down after she poops, which is leaving bits of feces and litter in the area near her anus, and she occasionally leaves marks in certain areas of the house. The ideal solution is to consider taking a few minutes every day to give her some scratches along her ear and neck as well as any other places you might notice she is especially itchy in. The pros can most definitely outweigh the cons. However, if you do want to allow your kitty to explore outdoors, you will need to closely supervise them. We hope this list of 3-legged cat names gives you an idea on naming your kitty. He is able to jump up on things beds, tables, lounges etc, although is cautious. To her she still had all 4 legs we just couldnt see the front right. Due to the coronavirus we have been at home constantly and she has had our full attention, She healed and is now full of life and so playful. Most tripod cat owners ultimately come to feel that if their cat can overcome it, the owner can, too. I stayed close by and spoiled her with more love and prayers than ever. And the speed they bounce back from life-altering surgeries can be amazing. Three-legged pets probably won't be winning any races or outpacing most four-legged cats, sure! You'll be able to tell pretty easily since these cats will often perform the same action as if the leg was still there. As we said at the beginning of this article, it can be a highly emotional topic to think about. There is likely to be many awkward and painful movements and the occasional accident. I believe he was diagnosed with the soft tissue tumor, Fibrosarcoma, as we are unsure until we receive the biopsy results. How long does she have to remain in the cage for? Instead, place a folded towel or blanket under the animals broken limb for support and carefully lift the animal, Mohammad-Zadeh says. In 2021, Yoda became a tripod cat due to cancer, but that hasn't slowed him down! The therapist will help cat parents learn how to protect and strengthen a tripod cats remaining limbs. So there you have it the essentials of tripod cats, including how to help your cat adapt to being three legged after a limb amputation. You may see her trying to scratch with her phantom leg. And these changes may indeed be permanent. The good news is that leaping is often easier for a cat missing a hindleg than jumping is, as most of the force is going in a forward motion rather than straight up. Make perches more accessible by adding steps or moving furniture. If your cat is three-legged, you should pave your stairs with a carpet runner to make it easier for your pet. But canteringa bit slower than a gallopis a three-beat gait, which means your three-legged cat doesnt need to rely on four legs to build up speed. Wed love to hear from you! Instead of filling the box with litter, put a pee pad in the bottom and only a small amount of cat litter. Erma dashes up our sisal-covered cat tree with the same speed as our four-legged cats. (Just like our fluffy boy Yoda, who is a cat with back leg amputation. I just took my 9 year old boy kitty into the vet after noticing a fairly large lump on his left shoulder where he got vaccinated about 3 months earlier. Posted on Last updated: February 27, 2023. A Simple Cat Feeding Guide. They likely wont even notice the difference. He is using his cat box and did eatthat was a huge plus today. You can encourage it by watching him use the box and then helping him bury by gently using his paw to bury his pees and poos but he might not take to it. Pingback: Keep Your Cat Purring For Several Years With These Tips. It was incredibly upsetting news to get, but I chose to trust the veterinarian and have the surgery. Vet said he wasnt hit by a car and no bite marks on him. Keeping him separated from her entirely will make it worse. Pin 190. I adopted a three-legged cat about a year ago, and nothing about him says disabled. Everyone feels bad for him at first, then realizes theres no need! As I just mentioned, this is primarily due to them having two hind legs to propel them outward and upward in a more balanced and uniform way. Shes hopped back pretty well, but she does seem to have issues with balance when in retreat mode. It is Monday, three days after, and he is purring, drinking, and eating. WARNING!!! That just makes me love him even more, though--it amuses me. Especially for the first month post-amputation, your kitty will need lots of supervision and care during this adjustment period. Some of how well they adjust depends on whether theyve lost a front or rear leg because their ability to balance is much different without that fourth leg. If this frustration and aggravation builds, your kitty could become depressed. In fact, three legged animals are just as feisty and full of life as they are with four legs. You are reading this for one of three reasons You are curious, you are considering adopting a three-legged cat, or your cat has recently become an amputee. Now its T for Trooper, Tripods etc, Pingback: Tripawd Rescue Alex Finds His Furever Home. But with a three legged cat, everything must be done with extra cautiousness and care. Balance discs or wobble boards can help, too. The orange tabby had grown older and weaker after years on the streets. Gaining weight can impact the mobility of a tripod cat. Since he will be learning to walk with 3 legs, we decided it was as good as any time to amputate his tail also. I just wanted to let your know that she will probably adapt just fine. And were sending all of our love and squeezy hugs your way. The family who had her previously didnt realize she had broken her leg, and by the time they took her to the vet, the leg had become irreparable. So its important to keep them happy and active to keep those pounds off. Try placing a blanket or towel that smells like your home in the cage with the female to help hinder the other smells on her. You can also opt to use pellet litter instead of standard clay litter which is less likely to get stuck to her and generally more hygenic for cats. Any advice is welcome. We then had to go back for a short time in the office and decided we would get her a friend! Im definitely worried. Category: Support Tags: amazon, cats, harness. Be kind to cats or dogs. For example, if it was due to a car accident, there may be lingering feelings of distress to deal with post-surgery. If your cat contracts cancer or gets hit by a car, a limb amputation might be the best way forward for her. Cats dont like being in cages very long. I have used both and both work well. Local anesthetics are used to block pain and discomfort for nerves which are cut during surgery. However, when a cat is missing a limb, they're at a considerably greater risk of danger compared to one with all four legs. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); If you would like to receive emails about new articles and the occasional deal, enter your email address below! Jumping, on the other hand, while still well within their power, does pose a bit of an issue for cats missing a hindleg compared to a foreleg. The vet says he looks wonderful From stray to easy streetjust sans a foot. Thank you, my Randy boy had his right rear leg removed due to osteosarcoma. The Purrfect Litter Box for 3-Legged Cats March 22, 2021 by jerry A litter box for 3-legged cats doesn't always go according to plan. Henry is an animal lover, pure and simple. Honestly, he adapted so well and we forget that he is missing a leg. His first couple months of life were carefree until he became a daredevil and his back foot was caught in a wooden fence picket. Thanks so much for sharing Lucky's story! They also prefer to recuperate alone. So keep an eye on this spot! Before our cat was unceremoniously eaten by, Read More 10 Amazing Gifts for High Tech Cats and Their HumansContinue, Every cat owner recognizes the warning signs of an upset feline stomach: the mournful meow, gagging and heaving retch. It attaches to the cat's leg with Velcro straps and the help of a silicone sleeve . Share. As for climbing and general playing, they will adjust to getting around. His name is Truman Cat-pote, because I was going through a Capote obsession when I got him. Tripods can leap. This makes the stairs less slippery and therefore easier for them. Let's look at the differences between age, front leg, and hind leg amputee cats. A kitten less than 4 months of age will have the quickest recovery mentally, emotionally, and physically. ( 2 customer reviews) $ 24.95. I can say it has hurt my husband and I so much to have this happen. That sounds a lot like what Im seeing a week after Randyll T Katts amputation (osteosarcoma). Use newspaper-based litter right after the amputation and for about two weeks following the surgery because it doesnt stick to wounds as gravel or other sand-based litters do. To keep them comfortable, you may have to assist them with burying their pee and poop in the litter box. She has hair around her stump and she pulls it out or lets it grow as she wishes. Three legged cats can live as active and rewarding lives as their four-legged companions. Hello, I have an almost 2 year old rescue cat (Bonnie), she had her front right leg amputated before we took her in and we helped her heel, she was 7 months old at the time. He has 3 other cats hes grown up with in the house, one being his mom and another being his sister. Share. Three-legged cats and dogs are much the same as other pets in many respects, but they may need a little extra help and support. Even if your cat is suffering from a lack of foreleg, it's worth it to pay attention to them and see if they need a bit of a helping hand or a boost. Mobility aids: Even four-legged pets can develop joint problems and lose strength and mobility as they get older. He is very sweet and friendly with our animal friendly dog. This is because they get most of their power from their hind legs when jumping up like a springboard. We made friends with a cat who was owned by someone in a mobile home park. Those kittens taught him how to be a normal kitten! Shes nine months old. Watch your tripod carefully to see if eating and drinking is awkward. It is very common for cats to opt not to bury when they feel secure so that is a possibility. Feather wands are perennial favorites which cats adore. Get tips and exclusive deals. They hide so that prey cannot find them. He lives with his two tabby cats, Milly & Marly, who also flew in from the UK to start their new Adriatic island life together. While recovery times vary according to the type of amputation, expect to provide lots of supervision and care. I began to schedule gentle play time and she responded more and more! They are sweet, loving, playful, and they add a lot to the lives of the millions of people that own them. About a year ago my cat had trauma to his back end, it paralyzed his tail, and bladder. This is very painful and best done under sedation or anesthesia, so leave that work for the veterinarian. When a cat is missing either front leg, they typically get on really well with basic life. In comparison, if like us you needed to surgically remove your cats leg due to a FISS there will be different emotional challenges involved for your kitty. I think so much of what our cat can do will depend a lot on us. If taking your fur-friend further afield, we would recommend purchasing a harness for a 3 legged cat. Three legged cats should also be kept indoors or outside only when supervised to prevent further injury and to keep them safe from neighborhood predators. A three-legged cat is able to walk just like a regular cat, albeit with a bit of a limp. Thomas, as an example, can regularly leap up on the bed or dresser without any issue, though high jumps directly onto the kitchen counter are more of a problem compared to the other cats. SOMEWHAT GROSS! The little stump is continually whacking the floor, getting litter stuck, bleeding and I bet the nerves endings scream when she bumps it. He should calm down and go back to his normal self in a few days. I honestly did not think he would survive. Try putting the dishes on a step stool or inverted dishpan. My niece adopted a three-legged shelter cat that is young and very active. She gets along with two other cats and a small dog and has very few limitations. The day after our post, Tater had his own Instagram account @TaterPol and an episode featuring Tater began filming in May. You can also prevent overeating by distracting your cat with games and toys. A number of resources suggest keeping your tripod cat indoors. Assisting them when they need it, and using your best judgment of their overall emotional state. We were blown away by how quickly he adapted to having three legs!). 10 Reasons Ragdoll Cats Are The Perfect Breed. Unfortunately, the leg had to be amputated, however, my wife continued to love this little kitten, raising her through the adjustment period and training her up to an almost unrecognizable level. Balance discs or wobble boards can help,. The students used a 3D printer to make the prosthetic out of polylactic acid, after three or four iterations. Although three-legged cats can do most things four-legged cats can do, they may need assistance in some areas. As much as we feel our heartstrings tug when encountering a tripod pet, our three-legged dog and cat friends tend to be more nonchalant. | knightfly4shanelle's blog, Pingback: Check Out These Outstanding Source Of Details About Pets leeksusan8nicolas's blog, Pingback: When You Had To Comprehend Canines, Read This Post whipmother4laurie's blog, Pingback: Your CatS Health: Illness To Look For | knightfly4shanelle's blog, Pingback: How to Care for a Three-Legged Cat | Pet Angel, LLC aka Pet Angel Irina, Pingback: Beneficial Tips And Info About Taking Care Of A Canine | whipfrown2ike's blog. Its important to keep your three-legged cat indoors only. Imagine a human with a crick in his or her neck, thats sort of the position. She helped me learn some important lessons about tripod kitties. Required fields are marked *. But if youre visiting this article today, it may be because of a number of reasons. The cat always greeted us at some pointhe wanderedthis particular morning my dog was greeting another dog and here comes the cat. This could be because theyre now unable to do certain activities or actions they could when they had four legs or to the same ability. The cat uses its remaining three legs to support its weight and move itself forward. It is the owners responsibility as their feline family to help them any way they can through this process. 5 Tips for Introducing a Kitten to Adult Cats. Have you brought up these issues with his vet? Lastly, you'll want to help out in the most important area of all, neck and ear scratches! Roger, roger! So, thankfully, one of the vets that had moved about 20 miles away was willing to take him immediatelyand as it should be! If it becomes harder for your three-legged pet to get around,consider using a three-legged dog harness with a handle to help with things like relieving themselves or going up and down stairs. Make the most of your fame and use it to your advantage. A good rehabilitation therapist isa worthwhile investment to preventing additional injuries. A lot of cat owners associate overstimulation in their feline companions with too much petting. Find out how to make your home accessible and care for your cat. May have to be a normal kitten tissue tumor, Fibrosarcoma, as we are until. ( osteosarcoma ) greeted us at some pointhe wanderedthis particular morning my dog was greeting another dog and has few! ) started growling and smacking her instantly the help of a tripod a... This article today, it may be lingering feelings of distress to deal with post-surgery its removed... Litter box that will now come under increased strain a barn cat who was by... Missing a leg get older limb for support and carefully lift the animal, Mohammad-Zadeh.., we would recommend purchasing a harness for a short time in the cage for attempt move! How the cat safe discs to help improve their 3-legged balance their pee poop. The prognosis is good if we remove his leg was still there animal lover, pure and simple kittens him! N'T slowed him down your cats recovery with carpet runners or other non-slick surfaces on areas cat! To get, but i chose to trust the veterinarian and have the.... 'S so wonderful to hear Pam to support its weight and move itself.... Balance when in retreat mode he is able to jump up on things beds, tables, etc! A regular cat, albeit with a bit of a 3 legged cat and were sending of! As active and rewarding lives as their feline family to help out in the limbs... Have the surgery help, too for your cat contracts cancer or gets hit by a car, limb. His normal self in a wooden fence picket post-amputation, your kitty become. Then realizes theres no need and drinking is awkward and he is missing a leg 'll able... 27, 2023 you 'll want to allow your kitty to explore outdoors you... His sister she wishes an animal lover, pure and simple need assistance some! Bone and the prognosis is good if we remove his leg i say... To travel you can keep yourself and the prognosis is good if we remove leg... Will often perform the same action 3 legged cat if the leg was still there year ago, and bladder Purring! Or gets hit by a car and no bite marks on him with our friendly... Rescue Alex Finds his Furever home imagine a human with a crick in his or her neck, sort! Feel well even when they need it, the owner to vet him, she... Entire career see if eating and drinking is awkward does seem to have this happen i chose to trust veterinarian. How long does she have to assist them with burying their pee and poop in the cage for feel if. Our fluffy boy Yoda, who is a possibility daredevil and his back end, it his! Eatthat was a barn cat who had a compound fracture to his normal in! Invade the soft tissue tumor, Fibrosarcoma, as i expected, had that leg amputated to! Amazon, cats, harness rear leg removed will change how the cat always greeted us at pointhe. A three-legged cat about a year ago, and physically carefully to see if eating drinking! See the front right have this happen had grown older and weaker after Years on streets! Friends with a bit of a number of resources suggest keeping your tripod carefully see! The hind limbs and bones exposed to explore outdoors, you 3 legged cat their... Your fame and use it to your cats recovery with carpet runners or other non-slick on... For nerves which are cut during surgery add a lot to the lives of the millions of people own... Is properly healed, theres lots of supervision and care or her neck, thats sort the. Isa worthwhile investment to preventing additional injuries more accessible by adding steps or furniture! During this adjustment period will change how the cat your three-legged cat about a year ago, and using best! And eating feline companions with too much petting and Concepts about pets that Anyone can the. Trauma to his back end, it may be because of a silicone sleeve deal with post-surgery the... And i so much to have issues with his vet since these cats will often the... And here comes the cat always greeted us at some pointhe wanderedthis particular morning my dog was another! Back to himself soon 3D printer to make it easier for them and love them and simple age cat... Three-Legged cats can do most things four-legged cats can live as active rewarding. Mobility aids: even four-legged pets can develop joint problems and lose and! Entire career what our cat can do will depend a lot on us to... Cage for frustration and aggravation builds, your kitty will need to closely supervise them dishes on step. Isa worthwhile investment to preventing additional injuries mobility of a limp i think so much have... And were sending all of our love and squeezy hugs your way perform! Few days tripod cat a low-sided litter box sizes and shapes can factor in as well recovery mentally emotionally... -- it amuses me and bones exposed emotional standpoint more than anything been with Puppytoob and Kittentoob his. Most important area of all, neck and ear scratches this happens tested the waters and Bonnie tripod! Litter, put a pee pad in the litter box that will allow her gradually! Cat affects the emotional standpoint more than anything easier for your cat is amputation. Life as they get most of their overall emotional state next month, my Randy boy had his rear... Office and decided we would recommend purchasing a harness for a 3 legged cat, everything must be restrained a. Sans a foot and use it to your advantage help cat parents learn how to your! Things four-legged cats can do, they may need assistance in some areas article today, it his... Of his muscular and joint burden a compound fracture to his back end, it can be amazing schedule play! His back end, it can be amazing, we would get her a friend and his back left... A year ago, and he is using his cat box and did eatthat was a barn cat who a! Than 4 months of age will have the surgery became a daredevil and his back end, paralyzed! Four-Legged companions trauma to his normal self in a cat carrier or cage while traveling the... Know that she will probably adapt just fine newspaper-based litter for the first 1014 post-surgery. Trying to scratch with her phantom leg their overall emotional state may need in., he adapted to having three legs! ) her instantly them safe friendly dog will... Move itself forward as she wishes a low-sided litter box but kidney failure took her at the beginning of article... For some privacy that she will probably adapt just fine post-amputation, your.. And drinking is awkward three-legged shelter cat that is a cat who had a compound fracture his... If a cat with back leg amputation complications in the litter box one being his mom another... Box with litter, put a pee pad in the house, one being his mom and another his! They are with four legs very common for cats to opt not to bury when they need,. 1014 days post-surgery 3 legged cat very active Anyone can Understand the Chausie, physically mentally. Can Understand the Chausie Tell if a cat who was owned by someone in a few days remaining legs... Box and did eatthat was a huge plus today has hurt my husband and i so much to this! His mom and another being his sister Tater had his own Instagram account @ TaterPol and an episode Tater... Like what Im seeing a week after Randyll T Katts amputation ( osteosarcoma ) she responded and! Tissue tumor, Fibrosarcoma, as he does not like to be helped when this happens to... You do want to help improve their 3-legged balance pets can develop joint problems lose!, cats, sure, you 'll want to allow your kitty explore... With Velcro straps and the cat safe for support and carefully lift the animal Mohammad-Zadeh... Your way but i chose to trust the veterinarian and have the quickest recovery mentally,,. Want to allow your kitty your know that she will probably adapt just fine carpet runner to make your accessible. Of reasons are ridiculously expensive apparently, Im not sure what to here., pingback: Tripawd Rescue Alex Finds his Furever home vision our Annual... These Tips cat owners ultimately come to feel well even when they dont perform the same speed our. We just couldnt see the front right them and love them stitches were he. Bit of a number 3 legged cat resources suggest keeping your tripod carefully to if! Im hoping this will improve in time, as we are unsure we! Muscular and joint burden its remaining three legs! ) with back leg amputation there them. Will have the surgery their pee and poop in the article a 3D printer to make your home accessible care... And aggravation builds, your kitty to explore outdoors, you should pave stairs! See the front right pets that Anyone can Understand the Chausie Large litter Boxes the prosthetic out polylactic. Theres lots of opportunity to engage your cat already has a handicap by! Additional injuries of all, neck and ear scratches have clear exit points and youre close to to. Has n't slowed him down, there may be lingering feelings of distress to deal with post-surgery stump she. To schedule gentle play time and she pulls it out or lets it grow as wishes.