What to do if your cat's paw is rotting?

Your cat's paw may be rotting due to reasons such as external injuries, interdigital inflammation, and bacterial infections. It is recommended that owners first carefully check if there are any foreign objects piercing their cat's paws. If so, it is likely that the wound was caused by an external injury, which was not discovered in time due to the owner's neglect, and was further infected by the cat's licking, causing rotting. In this case, it is necessary to remove the foreign object in a timely manner and use antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs. If the rotting is not caused by trauma, it is more likely to be caused by interdigital inflammation or bacterial infection, and timely medical examination and treatment are required.

Caused by trauma

Since cats are usually active and playful, they may accidentally get injured in their paws while playing or fighting, causing infection and rotting. In this case, owners are advised to carefully examine their cat's paws for any foreign objects piercing them. If there are foreign objects present, the owner needs to remove them promptly and apply antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs to the cat's wound, while also fitting it with an Elizabeth collar to prevent the cat from licking the wound.

Caused by interdigital inflammation

If there are no obvious external injuries to the cat's paws, and the claws show noticeable redness, swelling, and pain, it may be due to interdigital inflammation causing the paw to rot. As there may be various factors causing interdigital inflammation in cats, including external stimulation, allergies, bacteria, fungi, and parasites, it is recommended that the owner take their cat to a pet hospital for a detailed examination and diagnosis.

Caused by bacterial infection

If a cat lives in a damp environment for a long time, and its skin resistance decreases, it can lead to bacterial infection and inflammation and rotting of the toes. In this case, it is recommended that the owner consult a pet doctor in a timely manner, apply antibacterial drugs to the wound, and provide the cat with a clean, dry, and bright living environment.