Chewing paws in cats

Most cats chew or bite their paws at some point or another. Usually, it’s a one-off and triggered by something mildly irritating between the toes. But when chewing is frequent and severe, it can be both an effect and the cause of chronic pain and distress.

Humans can scratch or rub an itch virtually anywhere. But without hands, cats rely on chewing and biting as a means to relieve skin irritation. Problems arise when chewing does not relieve the problem, so it keeps going. Or when chewing becomes a habit. In these cases, the result is often painful infections, lameness and chronic skin disease. Talk to a vet if you notice your cat is chewing their paws.

What to do

What to do if your cat is chewing their paws

Check the paw thoroughly:

Check the skin between the toes and pads for signs of redness, heat, or swelling.
Check the nails to see if they are broken, split or ingrown or for a swollen or oozing nail base.
Look between the toes and pads for anything stuck there, such as gravel, caked dirt, or tar.
Check the toes for lumps, swelling or discomfort.

Rinse or bathe the paw

To clear away dirt that may be hiding cuts.

Prevent further licking:

Distract them.
Use a cone or inflatable collar to prevent licking (unless your cat can get around this).
Cover the foot with a cotton sock secured with household tape (not too tight) for a maximum of 6 to 8 hours.

Keep the foot as dry and clean as possible:

Keep your cat indoors.
Use a litter tray that is not fine, gritty or dusty. Wood or paper-based pellets are best.

Joii vets are available online 24/7 for support and expert advice if your cat is chewing their paws.

Causes

What are the most common reasons for cats chewing their paws?

The most common causes include:

Foreign bodies, such as grass seeds, thorns, glass or ingrown nails
Standing in something sticky, caustic or irritant
Cut, cracked or split pads
Nail injuries and nail bed infections
Allergies: food, contact, and atopy
Harvest mites (chiggers, berry bugs)
Boredom or stress
Pododermatitis
Pain in the joints or deeper soft tissues of the toe(s)

Chewing paws in cats — An ingrown nail can cause severe pain

When to worry

When to worry if your cat is chewing their paws

Seek help from a vet if your cat is chewing their paw and:

Acting out of sorts, such as eating less or showing less interest in toys or play
Limping
Developing a swollen foot or swelling between the toes
Bleeding
Biting it raw

Joii can help if:

Your cat is chewing their paw and you don’t know how to help
You’re not sure if you need to see a vet for your cat’s problem

Prevention

Ways to help prevent your cats from chewing their paws

Keep their nails trimmed so they are less likely to split or tear.
Clean their paws if mud, gravel, or road salt/grit is stuck on them.
Identify and treat allergies and harvest mites promptly.
Use regular anti-parasite treatments to reduce the risk of harvest mites.
Use balms or ointments to nourish and improve pad and nail health, especially in the harsh winter months.
Keep your cat physically and mentally stimulated with lots of exercise and safe toys.
Keep your cat slim with a healthy body condition. Being overweight aggravates skin disease and joint problems.

Still worried about how to prevent your cat from chewing their paws? Joii vets and nurses are on hand 24/7 for support and expert advice.

Diagnosis

Things to look out for when cats chew their paws

What should you look out for and what might it suggest, when your cat chews their paws:

Puncture wounds can indicate foreign bodies or infections.
A painful response to pressing on the pad can indicate a trapped foreign body.
Swollen toes can indicate infection, traumatic injury, or arthritis.
Swellings between the toes or pads can indicate foreign bodies.
Tiny red dots on or between short hairs on toes and between pads can indicate harvest mites.
Other symptoms, such as itchy ears, scratching, or licking, can indicate allergies or harvest mites.

Home treatment

Ways to help your cat at home if they’re chewing their paws

Vet treatment is essential if your cat is constantly chewing their paws, limping, bleeding or distressed.

You can help a cat with milder symptoms, or until you see a vet with the following:

Rinse or shower away surface dirt.
Clean and bathe the paw in warm salt water.
Use an antiseptic/antibacterial gel, mousse or wipe on mildly inflamed or irritated skin.
Apply soothing balms or ointments to mildly irritated pads.
Protect from further chewing or licking with a cone collar or bootee until settled.

Vet treatment

What vet treatments are there for cats chewing their paws?

Vet treatment for chewing pads in cats will depend on the underlying cause. Possibilities include:

Prescription medicines

Topical treatments

Creams and ointments: antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory
Washes and baths: antiseptic, antibacterial, anti-yeast.

Medicine by mouth

Antibiotics
Antifungals
Anti-inflammatory medicines: steroids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatories
Painkillers
Medicines to suppress the body’s own excessive immune response: anti-histamines, ciclosporin

Injections

One-off steroid injections to settle sudden intense inflammation
Antibiotics
Immune injections for allergies
Monthly injections for arthritis

Anti-parasitic treatments

Sprays
Spot-on treatments
Tablets

Veterinary procedures

Sometimes the vet will advise a minor procedure or a more complex operation:

Usually requires sedation or a general anaesthetic
Finding and removing foreign bodies
Cleaning up wounds and repairing (stitching) where possible
Removing lumps and growths
Trimming back or removing broken shards of nail
Laser treatment

Risk

Which cats are most likely to chew their paws and why?

Cats with allergic skin disease.
Overweight and obese cats.
Cats left alone for long periods or anxious cats leading to boredom, stress, and anxiety.
Older cats with arthritis.
Cats who go outdoors as they are more likely to have accidents or come into contact with harmful substances.