Cats paws cracking :(

TrickyNiki

I dont think they are sore as she will let me touch them, I have noticed that they are very dry and I am worried they may start cracking.. Now obviously as soon as I know they have cracked she is going straight to the vet, both cats are quite happy for me to do this

Now what I am wondering is there such a thing as cat moisturiser? Is there anything I can put on them to help them or is this perfectly normal?

Oh and here are pics of my lovely babies!!

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Vegetable oil.

Good for your hands, too. And so much cheaper than fancy creams.


ETA: those puddies!

TrickyNiki

I never thought of oil.. I was just looking fog something that wouldn't harm their stomachs.

I've got some olive oil in, I'll try that...

It won't harm the leather sofa if the cats walk all over it either!!

meritaten

olive oil - and no harm done if they lick it off! (tho you may want to keep them off your carpets and furniture until it soaks into the paw)

the_devil_made_me_do_it

I use a product called Mushers Secret. It's for dogs, but would probably be ok for cats. You could always contact the company and ask them first.

It does appear to be quite expensive, however a tub lasts ages.



http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0002IJQDC/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=103612307&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-er&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B003UCKP0A&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=1ZBSQY610YZ87HJRS1ZN

TrickyNiki

A bit of oil won't harm the sofa and I'll put an old sheet over the carpet in the living room. I don't want tiny foot prints all over it :S thanks for the reminder!

I think the cold combined with the salt on the paths caused this... Poor puss cats... I'll see what they are like in the morning too, I don't want to over moisturise as wont this be a problem too?

TrickyNiki

That mushers secret looks good too, I like the fact it creates a barrier.. It says its all natural, I'm betting dogs will try and lick it off. I think I'll contact them and see what they say about cat use!

hethmar

Wonder if dermacton would be any good> Its absolutely fantastic for dogs, but I dont know how it is for cats?

http://www.aromesse.com/skin-problem/petnat-skin-soother-for-cats.html

krlyr

Just bear in mind that cats can be a bit more sensitive to phenols (e.g. in essential oils) than other animals, so natural and safe for dogs may not mean suitable for cats. Definately worth asking the companies though
I've had good success with manuka honey ointment for my dog's dry elbows (where he likes to lay on the bare laminate) so could be worth looking into

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

And use a warm, damp flannel to clean any salt/antifreeze off, as it's dangerous to them, then apply the oil.

TrickyNiki

Thanks for all the responses, I did as jojo suggested, cleaned the paws with a damp cloth.. then applied a coat of olive oil. I only applied the olive oil to Jet (the black cat) as missi's paws were fine. They both got cleaned though.

I do think Jet's paw was sore as she hissed at me poor thing.

A tip for anyone who wants to try this, I found putting the oil on a tissue on the floor and wiping the cats paw across it was much easier than trying to lift the cats paw.