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Insight Horizon Media

Why are the pads of my cats feet dry?

Author

John Castro

Published Feb 26, 2026

Why are the pads of my cats feet dry?

Pets’ paw pads are supposed to be rough so they can get traction on smooth surfaces. However, a variety of factors including extreme weather, dry air, exposure to rough surfaces, and excessive licking can cause dry, cracked paw pads. Dry and cracked paws can be painful and put your pet at a risk for infection.

How long can a cat live with autoimmune disease?

Infected cats should be kept strictly indoors to prevent spreading the virus to other cats. Infected cats survive an average of 2.4 years after diagnosis.

Is it normal for cats paw pads to peel?

This is often associated with bleeding and infection. Footpad burns are very painful and the cat will be extremely lame. The outer part of the pad often blisters and will eventually peel away, leaving the damaged fat pad exposed and open to infection.

Can I put Aquaphor on my cats paws?

Petroleum Jelly Put a dab on your cat’s paw or muzzle and they will lick it off and ingest it. Aquaphor and Vaseline are safe for pets. Aquaphor is a petroleum jelly-like product with extra oomph for superficial stuff like crusty noses, peeling paw pads, and scaly elbows.

What is cat Pododermatitis?

Plasma cell pododermatitis (a mouthful, I know) is an inflammatory disease that affects the footpads of cats. The pads become infiltrated by plasma cells, a type of white blood cell. What are plasma cells? They’re immune cells that would normally secrete antibodies in response to an infection.

What is Pillow paw?

Feline plasma cell pododermatitis, often called “pillow foot”, is a condition in which severe inflammation develops on the foot pads of a cat. All four pads may be affected at once, and it is rare for only one paw to be inflamed.

Can I put Vaseline on my cats paws?

Licking the paws or other parts of the body is a normal grooming behavior of dogs, cats and others animals. Vaseline petroleum jelly is very safe and when well massaged into the pads will also stand up to licking and wear.

Is aquaphor bad for cats?

Put a dab on your cat’s paw or muzzle and they will lick it off and ingest it. This helps lubricate the passage of intestinal contents. Aquaphor and Vaseline are safe for pets. Aquaphor is a petroleum jelly-like product with extra oomph for superficial stuff like crusty noses, peeling paw pads, and scaly elbows.

Can you put Vaseline on cats paws?

What is pemphigus cat?

Pemphigus complex Commonly affected areas include the eyelids, lips, nostrils, and anus. Pemphigus Foliaceus (PF) – The term means “leaf-like pemphigus”. This is the most common autoimmune skin disease of cats.

Is pododermatitis an uncommon disease in cats?

Luckily it is an uncommon, dermatological disease. Symptoms of feline plasma cell pododermatitis. Pododermatitis can affect any footpad, but most commonly it involves the large or central pad of the front or back feet (called the metacarpal or metatarsal pads).

What causes autoimmune skin disease in cats?

The cause or causes of autoimmune disease are not understood, although some theorize that genetics and/or environmental pollutants play a role. Certain drugs have also been reported as potential triggers for pemphigus foliaceus, a common form of autoimmune skin disease in cats.

What are the symptoms of an infected paw pad in cats?

A cat’s foot or paw pad may become infected, perhaps from stepping on something that caused a cut or as an injury when she mixed it up with another cat. Symptoms of a paw infection include: Limping. Hair loss. Scabbing. Puncture wound. Blood or pus at the wound site. Fever. Lethargy. Loss of appetite.

What are the different types of cat paw diseases?

It’s easy to take a cat’s cute little paws for granted, however they’re vulnerable to a variety of conditions. Ranging from simple infections to immune-related disorders, potential cat paw diseases include pillow foot, pemphigus, and eosinophilic granuloma.