My cat is licking a cracked, bleeding paw. Can litter infect it?

I would recommend using shredded paper in her litter box instead of sand or litter if she has infected toes. Do not apply topical medication. If she is licking her feet excessively she may need an e-collar or something to help prevent her from licking. If it is very infected or painful then she really needs to see a veterinarian to determine if she needs antibiotics. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

You can try making an Epsom salts soak (directions for dilution with warm water are on the package), which will help to cleanse the toes, and hopefully give Maki some protection against infection - but she might not tolerate it well. You can also purchase an e-collar, which will keep her from licking, as this often causes secondary infection. You can show this to your parents - if the skin is truly peeled back, it's likely that Maki is quite painful (imagine how that would feel) and needs veterinary care in order to protect the area, prevent infection, and treat the pain. You might tell them that dealing with this now, rather than later, may be less expensive, as foot injuries can easily get complicated in cats, since they use a litter box, and infection is common.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Winter Luna! accidents happen! Based on your picture I think she will be fine. I would just check it twice a day and clean it with warm water and mild soap, we wouldn't want liter to stick to the wound. It should heal quickly. If you notice yellow or white discharge, redness or swelling then she should see your Vet. I hope this helps and I wish Winter Luna the very best!

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. I would suspect that this could be from another cat, some other animal or a puncture wound from a sharp object. It sounds as though the lesion is infected with your description. I would recommend soaking the foot in a mixture of betadine and water until you have a light brown solution. Soak the foot with this solution twice daily for 10 minutes at a time. If the foot does not improve, I would recommend having a veterinarian take a look at this so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Oh goodness, that looks like a deep infection. It could be bacterial or fungal, but I suspect more likely bacterial. He needs to see a veterinarian for an examination and treatment plan. However, in the meantime if he will allow you to soak his foot in warm water and Epsom salts that may be soothing and beneficial. Best of luck and I hope he improves soon. Thank you for using Pet Coach.

Hi there and thank you for using pet coach to address your concern. The cut appears to be all of the way through the paw pad on the affected foot. I would suggest having this wound looked at by your vet if you can so that Bobbi can receive antibiotics and receive proper treatment. However, if you are unable to get to your vet, you could try and keep the foot clean using a diluted Betadine solution (mix Betadine with saline to get a weak brown tea color) and use this to clean the Wound. I would then switch to a different litter such as yesterday's news so that he is not getting fine litter sand in the wound. I would monitor the area for signs of swelling and discharge as this is going to be highly prone to infection. If you notice any signs of infection I would get him to your vet as soon as possible. I hope this helps! Please feel free to contact me with any other questions or concerns you may have. I am also available via phone or text based consultation if needed.

It's hard to tell from the pictures exactly where the wound is and if it involves the claw itself. I would soak her paw in warm water (you can use a little epsom salts if you have it) to loosen the scab, then you can gently clean it with a warm wet washcloth. If you find that there is bleeding, then apply gently pressure for 15 minutes. Don't apply any topical medications as Luna will just lick them off. If the bleeding continues, or of the paw swells, or if there is a creamy or foul discharge, then she may need to go to the vet for examination and antibiotics.