Introduction
Cats are meticulous groomers and generally keep themselves quite clean. However, it’s common for particles of dirt, litter, food, and other materials to get lodged between the pads on a cat’s paws as they go about their daily activities. While much of this debris may go unnoticed, some of it is visible to the naked eye.
A cat’s paws pick up traces of nearly everything they come into contact with throughout the day. Bits of dirt, grains of litter, fragments of food, pollen, and microscopic particles of saliva and shed hair can accumulate. Small amounts of bodily discharge, fecal matter from the litter box, and traces of chemicals and oils may also end up on paw pads. Most of this accumulation is harmless, though larger particles and clumps can become uncomfortable for cats.
Examining the visible matter on a cat’s paws provides insight into where they have been and what they have been doing. It’s normal for debris to accumulate during the course of daily activities. However, excessive buildup or any signs of irritation may warrant cleaning or a veterinary visit.
Dirt
Cats walk on many dirty surfaces, so it’s common for their paws to pick up dust, soil, sand, and other debris (Patton Vet Hospital). Their paws come into contact with the ground outdoors and various unsanitary floors indoors, gathering all kinds of dirt in the process. Unless wiped frequently, this dirt accumulates on the cat’s paw pads and in between their toes. The small crevices of a cat’s paws makes dirt prone to getting trapped. Furthermore, the soft pads of their paws cling onto specks of dust and particulate matter. With each step, more gets stuck. Over time, this leads to visibly dirty paws.
Litter
Litter can easily get caught between a cat’s toes and claws when they use their litter box. The granules and dust from clumping and non-clumping litters can accumulate and harden between the paw pads and nails (1). This tends to happen more with kittens and older cats. Long-haired breeds like Persians and Himalayans are also prone to getting litter stuck in the fur between their paws.
To prevent litter buildup, use a finer grain litter or try placing a plastic or silicone mat outside the litter box for your cat to wipe their paws 1. You can also add a grooming step after litterbox use. Gently wipe between the toes with a damp cloth or cat wipe to loosen any compacted litter right away.
Food residue
It’s common for cats to get food residue stuck to the pads of their paws after eating. Cats are fastidious groomers, but they don’t always fully clean food particles off their paws after meals or treats. Wet, sticky food bits can get lodged between the toes or stuck to the rough parts of the paw pads. Food residue often contains oils that can discolor the fur on the paws. The color and smell of the food can help identify the source of the residue. For example, bits of canned tuna may leave an orange stain, while dry kibble dust can appear as tan flecks.
Cats mostly use their tongues to clean themselves, which is effective for larger areas of the body but not for getting into all the nooks and crannies between the toes. Water applied with a washcloth can help dissolve and dislodge bits of food from paw fur and pads. Trimming the fur between the toes may also help prevent food buildup.
References: https://www.petforums.co.uk/threads/my-cat-got-something-stuck-in-his-paw-and-is-limping.524752/
Pollen
Pollen and other outdoor allergens can stick to a cat’s paws when they are outside. According to the vetdermclinic.com, pollen allergies occur when a cat inhales or comes into contact with pollen, triggering an allergic reaction.
During pollen seasons in the spring, summer, and fall, pollen from trees, grasses, weeds, and flowers can collect on a cat’s fur and paws when they are outside. When the cat grooms itself, they may ingest the pollen particles, which can cause an allergic response.
Signs of a pollen allergy in cats include chewing on paws, vomiting hairballs, hair loss, and pododermatitis (inflammation of the paw pads). Treatment includes keeping the cat indoors during peak pollen times, wiping paws when coming inside, bathing regularly, and medications prescribed by a vet.
Saliva and hair
Cats spend up to 50% of their waking hours grooming themselves.[1] This includes licking their fur to distribute natural oils from their skin, remove dirt, and keep their coats clean and shiny. A side effect of all this licking and grooming is that saliva can build up and dry into clumps on a cat’s paws and fur. The wet saliva also sticks loose hairs to their paw pads and between their toes. Over time, this can result in matted clumps of damp, dirty fur on your cat’s feet.
Excessive licking and grooming focused on one area can lead to bald spots or raw, irritated skin. If you notice any excessive licking or bald patches, it’s a good idea to check with your veterinarian to rule out skin allergies or other medical conditions.
[1] https://www.hillspet.com/cat-care/behavior-appearance/why-do-cats-lick-their-paws
Discharge
It’s common for cats to have some discharge coming from their eyes or nose. This discharge can be a normal part of grooming as the body removes dust, allergens, and infectious agents. However, excessive discharge can also be a sign of an eye infection or upper respiratory infection (source).
When a cat grooms itself, it will spread this eye and nose discharge to its paws as it wipes and licks its face. So you may notice your cat leaving behind wet spots or crusty bits on surfaces after grooming. The discharge often appears yellow, green, or brown in color.
If your cat has excessive eye or nose discharge, it’s important to have your veterinarian examine them. They can diagnose and treat any underlying infection. For mild cases, you can clean the eye area gently with a warm, wet cloth. But avoid using any medicated drops without your vet’s guidance.
Fecal matter
One of the most common sources of dirt on a cat’s paws is accidental contact with fecal matter when using the litter box. According to Reddit users on r/CatAdvice, it’s inevitable that cats will track some contaminated litter and feces out of the box on their paws. When a cat steps in their waste while covering up their business, feces can get lodged between their paw pads and toes. Even careful cats may accidentally step in poop or pee-soaked litter. Since cat litter absorbs moisture, wet clumps can stick to paws more easily. As a cat kicks and scratches to bury their waste, bits of fecal matter from the litter box can fling onto their paws. When exitting the box, gravity causes those chunks and particles to fall off their paws, resulting in litter box debris around your home.
Cleaning tips
Keeping your cat’s paws clean is important for their health and hygiene. Here are some tips for effective cleaning:
Washing: Gently wash your cat’s paws in a bowl of warm water, being careful not to get water in their ears. Use a soft washcloth or cotton pads to gently scrub between the toes and pads. Avoid harsh soap, which can dry out the skin. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry.
Wiping: Keep cat paw wipes handy for quick cleanups. Gently wipe between the toes and pads to remove dirt and debris. Look for wipes made specifically for cats that are gentle on their skin. Always pat dry after wiping. (https://www.beverlyhillsvets.com/blog/how-to-clean-your-cats-paws/)
Grooming brush: Use a soft bristle brush made for cats to brush away stuck-on bits of litter, food, grass and dirt. Brush in the direction of hair growth and avoid brushing too harshly. Focus on paws, between toes and pads.
Regular gentle cleaning and grooming of your cat’s paws will help keep them happy, healthy and reduce risk of infections. Check paws during cleanings for any cuts, wounds or irritations and see a vet promptly if found.
When to see a vet
It’s important to monitor your cat’s paws for any concerning signs. See your vet promptly if you notice any of the following:
- Ongoing limping or inability to walk properly
- Visible wound, sore, blister, swelling, or redness on the paw
- Excessive licking, chewing, or biting at the paws
- Discharge or bleeding from between the toes or pads
- Loss of nails or claws
- Foreign object stuck in the paw
- Loss of fur between the toes
- Unusual odor coming from paws
These are signs of possible infection or illness that require veterinary attention. Left untreated, paw infections and wounds can worsen and cause great pain and mobility issues for your cat. It’s best to have a vet examine any irritated, inflamed, or infected paws as soon as you notice anything abnormal.
Some common paw problems that may require treatment include allergies, burns, abrasions, cuts, tumors, cysts, frostbite, ringworm, and abscesses. Your vet can diagnose the underlying cause and prescribe medication, ointments, or other therapies to get your cat’s paws healthy again.