How to care for cat paw pads

A cat’s paws are as important to her as arms and legs are to humans. Therefore, it is important to pay sufficient attention to caring for them. This quick guide will help keep the paws of all feline family members clean and healthy.

Why you need to care for the pads of the cat’s paws

Cats use their paws to walk on dirty surfaces, including the litter box, and may step on harsh detergents. If the pet walks outside, she can walk on uneven and rocky ground, step on thorns and other sharp objects, and run on hot or cold surfaces, depending on the weather. 

Cats that are taken outdoors during the winter are also exposed to harsh salt and other deicing agents that can damage their paws.

At some point, the cat will definitely decide to clean its paws, licking them and swallowing any harmful substances that may have remained on its small legs. Regular paw care, including inspection and cleaning, will not only help keep your pet clean and safe when licking, but will also help to deal with inflammation of the paw pads, dryness, cracks, cuts and other injuries before they become infected.

Cat paw care guide

Where to begin

Regular inspection of the cat’s paws will be beneficial primarily for their health, but you should carefully monitor for any signs of problems. If the pet is lame or does not step on one of the paws, perhaps something is stuck in the pad or the paw is somehow injured. These animals know how to hide their pain, so you should pay close attention to such moments. If a cat is injured, she may be especially unhappy that they are trying to examine her. It is important to try to provide her with comfort and peace of mind during the examination.

If the cat is not accustomed to being touched, you may need to first accustom it to this. The Cuteness resource recommends making it a rule to massage the cat’s paws while stroking. This will not only help her get used to touching the paws, but also give the owner the opportunity to check if there is any foreign object stuck between the fingers and pads.

Paw inspection

As soon as the cat learns to tolerate touching its paws, it is necessary to inspect them daily, especially after she returns from a walk in the fresh air. You should look for growths on the paw pads of cats, scratches, ulcers and foreign objects. If a foreign object is stuck in the kitten’s paw, it is better to use tweezers to carefully remove it. If it is stuck too deep, the pet will have to be taken to a veterinarian.

Paw cleaning

Before or after the examination, you need to wipe all the tiny pads of the cat’s paws, as well as the area around and between the fingers with a soft cloth. This will clean the paws of dirt, dust, any chemicals and foreign objects.

Claw trimming

For cutting cat claws, special scissors should be used. Only the tips should be trimmed, being careful not to touch the sensitive area of ​​​​the claw, where the nerve endings and blood vessels are located.

If living tissue is accidentally affected, it is necessary to sprinkle the wound with hemostatic powder. You can usually find it at any pet store, but if it’s not available, flour or corn starch will do.

Treatment of dry cat paw pads

If your cat’s paw pads become dry, irritated, or cracked, see your veterinarian. He will recommend moisturizers based on edible oils that are safe for the animal. You can leave your cat in the bathroom while the oil soaks in so she doesn’t leave a mark on the house. If you need a stronger product, a specialist will recommend a good moisturizer for cat paws. Do not use petroleum jelly or your own creams – they can be harmful when licked and swallowed.

Additional recommendations

The best thing you can do for your cat’s paws is to keep her indoors where she’s less likely to get hurt, run into extremely hot or cold surfaces, or step on a dangerous chemical. Cuteness also notes that dry winter indoor air can dry out a cat’s paws, so a humidifier should be used in the home during the colder months. Having a scratching post in the house will help keep your cat’s claws in good condition – not to mention carpet and furniture.

Since caring for a furry beauty requires a lot of diversified efforts, proper care of her paws is easy to overlook. It is best to make it a rule to check and clean your cat’s paws daily to keep them in good shape.