My cat's paw pads are peeling and she has a small sore. What's wrong?

peeling paw pads can indicate a diet not high enough in fatty acids, allergies or something more severe like an autoimmune condition. I recommend to play it safe and have Gracey examined by the veterinarian to look into a medical condition. If the vet thinks this is likely related to nutrition, you can try adding in an omega 3 fatty acid supplement for pets, this can help improve the skin health. You may also try changing her diet to something like Royal Canin or Nutro as they are aimed at skin health. You can also wash her in a moisturizing type shampoo for cats though you will them want to keep her from licking the paws (which means she will need to wear an elizabethan collar). Don't use any lotions or creams because she will lick them and they are not meant to be consumed. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

There is a disease call "plasma cell pododermatitis" that affects the footpads of cats, making them swell and sometimes crack. It's poorly understood, but believed to be an autoimmune disease. Treatment usually consists of a specific antibiotic (doxycycline) which somehow regulates the immune system (again, we don't understand why) and drugs to suppress the immune system (prednisolone or cyclosporine). Sometimes we have to bandage the feet temporarily to help with the pain and to aid healing. Soldier may also need pain medication for a time until he is more comfortable. Your vet should be able to diagnose this condition and start treatment. Good luck.

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Nugget may have blistered his feet from running outside or from chewing his feet from allergies. You have a couple of options. The first would be to take him to the veterinarian to be examined and to have the paw pad that is falling off trimmed away from the foot so it does not catch on anything in the environment. The second option would be to soak his feet in epsom salt soaks twice daily 10 minutes at a time and wait for the pad tissue to fall off on its own. I would also have him wear protective booties and applying a wound cream such as Sentry Wound ointment (can be found at Petco) while the feet are healing. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Haku. I recommend that he sees a veterinarian. His paw looks sore. Did he sustain any trauma? If it is not a wound, then he could have another issue such as an autoimmune skin disease or even an infection such as ringworm. The veterinarian will thoroughly examine him and may recommend skin testing to reach a diagnosis. In the meantime, do not let him licl or chew on the pad. Place an E-collar on him if necessary. I hope this information helps!

I am so sorry to hear about your kitty's dry foot pads! There are a few reasons as to why your kitten could have dry pads. It could be due to contact with an irritant (disinfectants, bleach), an immune mediated condition (will further discuss), skin parasite like ringworm or trauma. Sometimes kittens get dry, cracked/or ulcerated foot pads and it can be a congenital or an immune mediated condition such as lymphoplasmacytic pododermatitis or hyperkeratosis. I recommend seeing your veterinarian to get a better look at the foot pads to determine if a course of antibiotics and/or a biopsy of the foot pad is needed. Good luck!

I am sorry to hear about your kitty! I would recommend an examination by a veterinarian for this issue. Some of his symptoms are consistent with a condition called "pillow foot" in cats, or Plasma Cell Pododermatitis. You can read more about this condition, its symptoms and treatment at https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4952090 . The treatment is a prescription medication which require a prescription from your vet.

Hi there and thank you for using pet coach to address your concern. It is definitely possible that the paw pads could be injured from excess friction such as carpet burn. This could also be from walking on a hot surface. If zombie is in pain I would have your vet examine him. He may need a course of antibiotics to prevent infection and an anti inflammatory to reduce the redness and swelling. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns. I am also available via consultation if needed.