How to Heal Your House Cat's Cut Paw Pad

Paw pads are the coarse patches of skin on the bottoms of a cat's feet. Each paw has seven pads that absorb shock, protect the paws from injury and aid in climbing. Though house cats are less susceptible to paw injuries from outdoor dangers like fights with other animals and falls, they can still suffer from wounds to their paws. In most cases, these wounds can be treated at home. Careful observation will let you know if and when your house cat needs professional medical attention.

Things You'll Need

  • Tweezers
  • Triple antibiotic ointment
  • Elizabethan collar
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove any dirt, debris or blood from the wound by gently rinsing it under lukewarm water. Avoid using washcloths or paper towels to clean the wound because these can leave tiny particles behind.

    • 2

      Check for foreign objects lodged in the wound. House cats frequently injure their paws on broken glass. If you see splinters, glass or other debris, use tweezers to pluck the foreign object out of the wound. If the object is lodged deeply in the paw, don't try to remove it yourself. Contact a veterinarian.

    • 3

      Inspect the wound. If there is skin hanging loose around the wound, bleeding that lasts for more than a few minutes or if internal structures of your cat's paw are visible, your cat needs veterinary care.

    • 4

      Apply a triple antibiotic ointment to the wound. If your cat repeatedly licks or paws at the wound, put your cat in an Elizabethan collar, which will prevent it from licking the wound until it is raw or infected. These collars can usually be found in a pet store or online.

    • 5

      Rinse the wound and reapply the antibiotic ointment daily. If the wound becomes swollen, seems to be getting worse or has a foul odor, it may be infected. Contact a veterinarian, who will probably prescribe oral antibiotics.