Paw care is an important aspect of the general attention you give your cat. They need to be healthy so that the animal can do what it likes, such as scratching and climbing. The more you care for his paws, the healthier and happier the cat will be and the stronger the bond you will establish with him.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: General Cat Paw Care
Step 1. Massage his paws
You should handle them regularly to be able to treat them properly; in this way the cat can feel more comfortable. A gentle massage is a perfect technique for this purpose; do this when your pet is more relaxed, like after a meal, and while you are comfortably holding him on your lap.
- Keep a few tasty treats on hand to reward him for good behavior while you touch his paws; choose a treat that you only offer him during the massage.
- Take a paw and gently rub its back.
- Hold each leg for about three seconds without squeezing or pinching it; if the cat tries to withdraw it, maintain contact and indulge its movement.
- When he feels more comfortable with touching and holding his paws, apply gentle pressure to the base of the toes to extend the claws outward. This way you prepare the animal for nail cutting.
- The frequency of the massage is a completely personal matter; consider making it a daily ritual, which allows you to develop a strong bond between you, or to do it on an occasional basis.
- Paws are a sensitive part of cats, so your cat may not like touching them at first. If he continues to object, try holding his paw again, but this time scratch him behind the ears and give him a treat. Let go of the paws for a moment and then repeat these actions; eventually, he should like the paw massage.
Step 2. Trim the cat's nails
You should do this every 10-14 days. The force you have to exert to hold the animal during the procedure depends on its comfort level with the "pedicure". If he has no problem getting his paws touched, it should be enough to gently hold him in your lap with your forearm pressing on his body.
- It may be necessary to use a restraint bag if the cat is likely to bite or scratch.
- Massage his paws before cutting his nails. Remember that you may not be able to cut all claws at once and limit yourself to one paw per session.
- If the cat often uses the scratching post, frequent cutting of the nails is not necessary, since this habit allows him to file them in a natural way.
- Your cat may need to get used to the sound of the clipper. To do this, place raw noodle on your lap while you massage the cat's paws. While pressing his fingers with one hand to extend his claws, cut the noodle with the nail clipper using the other hand. Release your grip and offer the pet a treat.
Step 3. Offer your cat a scratching post
It is a perfect tool for keeping nails at the right length in a natural way. It is available in different surface textures (sisal, corrugated board) and directions (vertical or horizontal). Consider buying several scratching posts so your cat doesn't get bored with only one.
Don't replace them too quickly; what looks old and worn may be perfect for the cat
Step 4. Clean his paws
This is an important action for cats that live outdoors and for those who stay indoors. By keeping them clean, you prevent your pet from ingesting any debris or residues of household cleaning chemicals that can make him sick. Use a damp cloth (preferably warm) to clean your cat's paws every day.
- By regularly mopping the floors, you can keep your cat's paws clean.
- Remember not to leave out the area between your fingers and around the pads.
Step 5. Examine his paws
Take extra time to inspect them when you clean or massage them. Make sure there are no abnormalities, cuts, scrapes, swollen areas or splinters. The specimens that live outdoors are prone to injuries, but curiosity and the desire to explore could also lead the cat living in the house to get hurt.
Treat minor injuries (such as superficial cuts, scrapes, or splinters) at home, but see your vet immediately for more serious problems, such as deep cuts, abscesses, and heavy bleeding
Step 6. Trim the long hair on the legs
If your dog has long hair, the one that grows between the toes could be particularly annoying to the extent that it prevents a normal gait. Use a pair of small scissors with rounded tips to shorten these hairs.
Part 2 of 3: Treating Minor Leg Wounds
Step 1. Organize the material
If your cat's paw has suffered a minor injury (a superficial cut, abrasion, or splinter), you can treat it at home. You only need a little material, including an antiseptic solution (Betadine), some gauze, clean cloths and tweezers. If you don't have these products on hand, buy them at the pharmacy.
- The antiseptic solution prevents infections.
- You will also need some mild soap.
Step 2. Clean and disinfect the paw
For minor cuts and scrapes, gently scrub the paw with a cloth moistened with warm, soapy water to remove debris. Pour a small amount of disinfectant solution on the gauze and apply it to the wound.
Observe the animal's body language. If he resists touching his paws, it may not be a good idea to force things, especially if you don't have a good means of restraint. Take your cat to the vet if you can't hold it by its paws long enough
Step 3. Remove foreign bodies with tweezers
If your cat has a splinter or small object stuck superficially in the paw, you need tweezers to remove it. First, disinfect the tool with Betadine. Clean the injured paw with soap and water, then grasp the object with tweezers.
- When you catch the splinter, slowly pull it in the same direction it entered. Maintain a good grip on the cat's paw as you remove the item and disinfect the skin with an antiseptic solution when finished.
- Take your pet to the vet if you can't get the foreign body out. If your cat is in a lot of pain, it may not allow you more than one try with the tweezers.
Part 3 of 3: Taking Care of Paws in Winter and Summer
Step 1. Clean the cat's paws
This detail is very important for cats who also live outdoors. If you've sprinkled salt on your driveway or sidewalk, your cat may get sick from licking its paws. Scrub them as you do the rest of the year.
Step 2. Hydrate his pads
While this part of your kitty's body is great for avoiding stinging injuries, it's not as effective at providing thermal insulation when temperatures are extreme. The legs are particularly sensitive to heat and cold, they can become dry and cracked precisely because of these climatic conditions. By moisturizing them both in winter and in summer, you are able to heal them better.
- Apply a fast-absorbing, deep-penetrating emollient, such as petroleum jelly, 2-3 times a week to prevent dryness. You can buy petroleum jelly at the pharmacy, it is a product that also resists the cat's habit of licking itself.
- Olive oil is an excellent alternative. Cortisone creams and creams containing tea tree oil are not recommended for moisturizing cat paw pads.
Step 3. Keep your paw coat short during the winter
This season, a cat's long fur that goes outside holds snow and ice crystals around its paws. Not only does this cause discomfort to the animal, but the ice crystals can damage the pads. Use small scissors with rounded tips to shorten the hair on his paws in winter.
Step 4. Keep your pet away from surfaces that are unsightly to the touch when outdoors
Concrete gets terribly hot in the summer and very cold in the winter. If you live in a region prone to ice storms, remember that your cat feels profound discomfort from walking over ice. When temperatures are extreme, get your pet to avoid these surfaces that could cause him pain.
If the specimen lives outdoors, you should temporarily keep it indoors during the cold season
Advice
- Some breeds are particularly prone to paw problems. Learn more about your dog's breed to see if you need to pay more attention to its limbs.
- Start handling and caring for your cat's paws early when it is still a puppy. The sooner you set up such a routine, the better.
- Dry, cracked paw pads could indicate insufficient protein intake, a deficiency in fatty acids, or certain diseases (such as diabetes). Fish oil supplements can balance the deficiency of fatty acids, but discuss with your veterinarian before giving them to your pet.
Warnings
- Do not remove the claws from the cat; the surgery is very painful and can potentially induce behavioral problems.
- Herbal supplements can cause damage to cats' organs; consult your vet before giving them to your kitty.
