What’s Behind Cracked Paws on Cats
Jan 16,2025 | puaintapets
Cats use their paws for many daily activities, from walking to scratching and grooming. But when your cat’s paws become cracked, it can cause them significant discomfort, and as a cat owner, it’s important to understand the causes and take the proper steps to treat and care for their sensitive paws.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the most common causes of cracked paws in cats, how to recognize the symptoms, treatment options, and steps you can take to prevent future issues. With the right approach, you can ensure your cat’s paws remain healthy and pain-free.
Recognizing the Symptoms of Cracked Paws in Cats
The signs of cracked paws can vary, but some common symptoms to watch for include:
- Visible cracks or splits in the paw pads
- Dry, rough, or scaly skin on the paws
- Limping or reluctance to walk
- Excessive licking or biting of the paws
- Redness or swelling around the paw pads
- Bleeding or discharge from the cracks (indicating infection)
If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to take action to prevent further damage and to seek professional advice if necessary.
What Causes Dry and Cracked Paws in Cats?
There are several common causes of dry and cracked paws in cats.
1. Environmental factors
- Dryness and lack of water
Cats themselves do not like to drink water, resulting in a lack of water in the body, or the living environment is too dry, may trigger dry cracked claws.
- Temperature effects
When the weather is too cold or hot, the cat's paw pads are easily damaged. Especially cats that go out for a walk, the paw pads are easily damaged as a result.
2. Lack of nutrition
When the cat's body lacks nutrition, the skin and paw pads will be damaged, such as zinc deficiency may lead to dry and cracked meat pads.
3.Disease factors
- Skin inflammation
Skin inflammation caused by fungi and bacteria may lead to thickening and swelling of the cat's meat pads, especially near the position between the toes, severe cracking and even bleeding.
- Allergic reaction
Allergies caused by mosquito bites may also affect your cat's paws, leading to dryness and cracking.
- Trauma Infection
Further infection due to trauma, or chemical agent damage outdoors or in the home, can trigger dry and cracked paws.
- Immune System or Endocrine Disorders
Immune system or endocrine diseases, or even cancer, may also be a cause of dry and cracked paws in cats.
4. Improper daily care
- Over-trimming
Excessive trimming of the cat's paw hair will make the cat feel cold in cold environments, and it is also easy to slip when walking or running, and may affect the cat's heat dissipation function, leading to dry and cracked paws.
- Use of harsh products
The use of care products containing irritating ingredients, such as certain detergents and disinfectants, may lead to irritation and damage to the skin of the cat's paws, resulting in dry and cracked paws.
- Neglecting cleaning
Failure to clean your cat's paws in a timely manner may lead to the growth of bacteria, fungi, etc., triggering infections or skin diseases, which in turn may lead to dry and cracked paws.
How to Treat Cracked Paws in Cats?
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Slightly dry and cracked
Cleaning and care: If the cat's paws are only slightly dry and cracked, and there is no bleeding, pus or other serious conditions, the owner can use warm water to clean and dry the cat's paws at home, and then apply a pet-specific foot oil to help repair the cracks.
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Severe dry cracks
Disinfecting and bandaging: If the cat's paws are more seriously dry and cracked, accompanied by bleeding, pus and other phenomena, you can use saline to clean up the cracks, use iodine povidone to disinfect the paws and then apply pet-specific anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory ointment, and at the same time, wear an Elizabethan ring to prevent the cat from licking it, and also reduce the amount of activity of the cat.
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Caused by disease
Timely medical treatment: If the cat's foot pads are accompanied by hair loss, scabs, redness, swelling, ulcers and other abnormalities, it may be that the cat's meat pads have been infested with germs, and you need to spray germ inhibiting sprays in a timely manner to prevent it from spreading further and causing intertoe inflammation in cats.
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Daily care
Maintain environmental humidity: Keep the indoor environment balanced in terms of humidity, especially in winter when there is heating, it may be dry, so it is best to ventilate the room regularly or use a humidifier to regulate the humidity.
Supplemental nutrition: Supplement your cat with Ω-3 fatty acids, moderate amounts of zinc, and high-quality animal-based proteins, the most important component of the skin and hair is protein. If the cat food is not good and contains little animal-based protein, therefore, the cat's protein intake is definitely not enough and skin problems will occur. Feeding raw bone meat or a good quality can of staple food is the best way to supplement animal-based protein.
Proper care: Avoid care products containing irritating ingredients, such as certain cleansers and disinfectants, and choose moisturizers or creams designed for cats, which can reduce irritation and discomfort. At the same time, it is important to clean your cat's paws in a timely manner to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi.
How to Prevent Dry and Cracked Paws in Cats?
Here are some ways to prevent dry and cracked paws in cats.
1. Environment
Maintain humidity: keep the humidity of the indoor environment balanced, especially in winter when there is heating, it may be dry, so it is best to ventilate the room regularly or use a humidifier to regulate the humidity.
Avoid outdoor keeping: The outdoor environment is complicated and the paws of cats are vulnerable to various injuries, such as friction and stabbing by foreign objects, etc., so try not to allow cats to spend long periods of time outdoors.
2. Nutrition
Supplementary fatty acids: Supplementing cats with Ω - 3 fatty acids will help maintain the health of the skin and coat.
Zinc supplementation: Give your cat zinc in moderation, as it can cause dry and cracked meat pads if it is lacking in the diet. One of the better supplements is the oral solution of calcium and zinc gluconate for humans, the liquid one is good to feed, and the effective dose of zinc supplementation is usually just 5mg per day for 2 weeks, and the effect will usually be obvious. Specific oral liquid dose, be sure to read the instructions, according to the proportion.
Supplementation of high quality protein: Supplementation of high quality animal-based protein, the most important component of skin and hair is protein. If the cat food is not good, the animal-based protein content in it is also low, therefore, the cat's protein intake is definitely not enough, and skin problems will occur. Feeding raw bone-in meat or a good quality can of staple food is the best way to supplement animal-based protein.
3. Nursing care
Use appropriate care products: Avoid care products containing irritating ingredients, such as certain cleansers and disinfectants, etc. Choose moisturizers or moisturizers designed for cats, which can reduce irritation and discomfort.
Timely cleaning of paws: It is important to clean your cat's paws in a timely manner to prevent bacteria and fungus from breeding.
Trimming foot hair and nails: Regularly trimming your cat's foot hair and keeping feet dry and clean can prevent interdigital inflammation. At the same time, cats with overgrown nails may also get stuck on their little meat pads, creating the illusion of cracked and bleeding meat pads, so pooper scoopers must remember to help them peel off their old nails regularly.
4. Health
Avoid over-activity: Reduce the amount of cat activity on rough surfaces to avoid excessive friction leading to paw damage.
Prevent trauma and infection: Pay attention to your cat's paws, detect and treat trauma in a timely manner to prevent infection from triggering dry and cracked paws.
Regular inspection: Regularly inspect your cat's paws and toes, especially after they come back from outside, to detect problems and take appropriate measures in time.
FAQs
Can cracked paws cause infections in cats?
Will. When a cat's claws are dry and cracked, the skin's barrier function is compromised and microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi are more likely to invade and cause infection. Infections may lead to symptoms such as red, swollen, painful, and pus-filled claws, and in severe cases may affect your cat's walking and quality of life.
Is it safe to apply human lotions or creams to my cat’s paws?
Unsafe. Human lotions or ointments may contain ingredients that are toxic to cats, such as certain essential oils, fragrances, etc., which may be ingested by cats when licking their paws, resulting in poisoning or other adverse reactions. Therefore, it is not recommended to apply human lotions or ointments on cat's paws.
How can I treat my cat’s cracked paws naturally?
Giving your cat a food or supplement rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin E will help maintain healthy paw pads.
Natural moisturizers such as fish oil, olive oil, and coconut oil can also be used on your cat's paws to help moisturize and protect them.
Also Read: Can I Put Coconut Oil on My Cats Butt
Conclusion
Cracked paws are a common issue in cats, and understanding the causes and treatment options is crucial for keeping your feline’s paws healthy. Whether the cracks are caused by dry air, allergies, or trauma, timely intervention and care can prevent further damage and ensure your cat remains comfortable. By maintaining proper hydration, using paw balms, and protecting your cat’s paws from harsh conditions, you can help keep your furry friend’s paws in good condition.
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