Cat paw care is an important part of cat health and hygiene. By taking the time to examine feline paws, owners can prevent serious problems and keep cat claws healthy.
8 Feline Paw Cares Tips for Healthy Claws
- Healthy cat claws allow a cat to stay active through climbing, scratching and jumping. Start kitten paw care early so your cat is comfortable with your hand on his paws and examining the pads and toes weekly. This will start your cat on a healthy path and help develop a cat paw care routine that is easy and safe for both the cat and the owner.
- Use a damp cloth to wipe the paws of your cat as often as once a day. Debris and foreign objects can become lodged in the pads and between the toes so a thorough examination of the paw is essential. This routine will prevent your cat from ingesting dirt and debris during cleaning and also keep your furniture and floors free of dirty paw prints.
- If anything is lodged in your cat's paw, use tweezers to gently remove the object. Wash the paw and clean the area with antiseptic to prevent infection. If there is a deep cut or heavy bleeding, bring your cat to the vet's office.
- Look out for scratches, cuts, torn nails and injuries to the paw or claws of your cat during routine paw inspections. Deep cuts, torn or ingrown nails and injuries that cause excessive bleeding will require a trip to the vet. For minor scratches clean the paw and apply antiseptic.
- Ask your veterinarian to recommend a moisturizing product for feline paw pads. During the heat of summer and freezing winters cat pads can become dry, damaged and painful. A product that protects and moisturizes feline paws can help to prevent cuts and scratches during these seasons and keep pads healthy.
- Watch for any physical signs of paw problems such as limping, frequent paw licking or favoring of one paw over another.
- Keep cat trees, scratching posts or pads in your home to provide safe areas for scratching and clawing. Your cat will stretch his muscles, stay active and maintain healthy claws while keeping your furniture and carpets safe from destructive scratching.
- De-clawing is a cruel procedure that has been banned in many countries and is becoming increasingly unpopular in the United States. Regular claw trimming is a simple and pain-free way to keep cat claws healthy.