Although many aspects of canine care do cross over to the feline patient, the adage "cats are not small dogs" holds more true today than ever. The area of feline orthopedics is no different. The purpose of this article is to familiarize the reader with the more common feline orthopedic problems. Although many nonsurgical aspects are covered, the majority of text discusses surgical orthopedic problems. In addition, situations considered unique to the feline patient are addressed, including preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative concerns. Diagnostics and implant systems are also covered.