Seeing my cat biting its paws intensively until it started bleeding was very sad to me. I was not sure what to do to help my cat, Muezza, about this. Fortunately, I got to know about the reasons afterwards and followed the solutions accordingly, though it’s crucial to understand that professional veterinary attention is often necessary, especially when bleeding occurs.
So, why is my cat biting paws bloody? Well, a cat might be biting paws for allergic irritations. Besides, it can have parasites and infections on the skin. Any type of injury and stress can be responsible for a cat biting its paws as well. These issues can lead to severe pain and secondary infections if left untreated.
Now, this shows you the potential reasons behind it. But to help your cat with this inconvenience, you need to know about the solutions that I have got here in detail. Remember, while these tips can provide temporary relief, a veterinarian can accurately diagnose and treat the underlying cause of your cat’s paw biting.
Read along!
Why Is My Cat Biting Its Paws Until Getting Bloody? (5 Top Reasons)
Cats biting paws randomly is nothing unusual. But one day, when I saw my cat biting its paws until it started to bleed, I got really tense. Bleeding indicates a more serious underlying problem that requires prompt attention.
I tried to address the reasons for a cat biting its paws, and here is what I found, as given below.
Reason 1: Allergies
Cats can get allergies from various sources, including certain food items or environmental allergens like pollen, dust mites, or mold. A few common food triggers that your cat may have difficulties with include chicken, beef, fish, and dairy. These allergens can cause intense itching, leading to excessive licking and biting of the paws.
My cat, Muezza, can not take beef and dairy at all. Once, I treated her with beef, and afterward, it started behaving clumsily.
This was because of its allergic irritations, for which it kept on biting its paws intensively.
Reason 2: Skin Infections
Skin infections are not that unusual today, especially if the weather is hot or humid, or if the paws remain damp. Yes, not getting enough air can be a problem for a cat, as it can disrupt a cat’s balanced body temperature and create a warm, moist environment ripe for irritation.
As a result, this can cause bacterial or fungal infections, especially in its paws. Due to this, there will be intense itching, redness, and irritation over time. Common infections include bacterial pyoderma and yeast infections, which can be very uncomfortable for your cat.
Reason 3: Parasites
Cats often wander here and there and might come into contact with various parasites. From my experience, I have seen cats be interested in eating infected rodents, which can expose them to internal parasites. However, external parasites like fleas, mites (such as Sarcoptic or Demodex mites), and ticks are more commonly found on their skin and paws.
Now, due to this, cats often get infected with these external parasites in their paws and skin. As a result, the cat will keep on biting its paws relentlessly to get rid of the intense itching. Regular flea and parasite prevention is essential to avoid these issues.
Reason 4: Injury
My cat was once hit by a piece of wood while playing on an outdoor field. When I got back home with Muezza, I noticed it biting its paws.
As I went to see what happened to my cat, Muezza, I could understand it got hit by something. Due to the pain from the injury, my cat was biting its paws again and again. Injuries can range from splinters, cuts, or punctures to sprains or fractures, all causing significant discomfort.
So, your cat might not always bite its paws for itching, but often as a response to pain from an injury. Always check your cat’s paws thoroughly for any visible wounds or foreign objects.
Reason 5: Stress Or Anxiety
Sometimes, cats can start biting or over-grooming their paws when they are stressed, anxious, or bored about something. Just as humans might bite their nails, cats can also bite their paws as a coping mechanism.
So, if you see no injuries, parasites, or obvious skin issues in its paws, you need to understand that your cat might be experiencing tension or emotional distress. Changes in routine, new pets, loud noises, or separation anxiety can all contribute to stress-induced paw biting.
Note that your cat might just be bored as well, which makes it bite its paws subconsciously. This basically indicates the absence of the right enrichment or grooming for cats.
Find Out: Cat Licking the Roof of Mouth- Reasons and Solutions
How to Stop My Cat Biting Its Paws Intensely? : 3 Best Solutions
You now know about the possible reasons why your cat might be biting its paws. Now, here is what I did with my cat to stop it from biting its paws. Take a look.
1. Consulting A Veteran
As I understood that Muezza was having an issue with its paws, I reached out to a veteran right away. I made an appointment to consult about the problem. When your cat’s paws are bleeding, this is the most critical first step.
Note that cat vets are professional enough to look at an issue to understand the depth of it, perform necessary diagnostic tests (like skin scrapings, blood work, or allergy tests), and prescribe appropriate medications.
The vet obviously treated my cat accordingly, which I do not know about in detail. So, you must seek help from a professional vet in no time! Do not delay a veterinary visit if your cat’s paw is bleeding, swollen, or if the biting persists.
2. Cleaning the paws
I found it useful to clean the paws of my cat when it becomes itchy or appears irritated. To do this, you can take a small piece of clean cloth and dampen it with fresh, warm water. Make sure the temperature is between 99 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius). For bleeding paws, gently clean the area with mild antiseptic solution recommended by your vet to prevent infection.
Then give a gentle wipe with that damp piece of cloth. Make sure you clean between the toes and its paw pads.
Do it 2 to 3 times at a time so that your cat feels comfortable. Once you clean the paws, take another piece of fresh cloth to dry them off thoroughly. Ensure the paws are completely dry to prevent fungal growth, and apply a light protective barrier (like a vet-approved paw balm) if recommended.
3. Grooming the Cat
Sometimes cats are stressed, anxious, bored, and worked up. So, what you can do is groom your cat and provide enrichment to ensure its mental stability and reduce stress-related behaviors.
For your information: I fetch my cat, play with it, and go for a walk from time to time. This stops Muezza from getting bored or feeling lonely. So, it helps my cat to be mentally and physically stable by letting it not do unusual things regularly. Consider interactive toys, puzzle feeders, cat trees, and regular play sessions to keep your cat mentally stimulated.
Note that you can also use a bitter-tasting spray specifically designed for pets to deter your cat from biting its paws right away.
Yes, this works great, but make sure to get an authentic, cat-safe spray that would not cause any harm to your cat. Always consult your vet before using any topical deterrents or home remedies, especially on broken skin.
What Will Happen If My Cat Keeps on Biting Its Paws?
If you can already stop your cat from biting its paws, you are good to go. But if your cat keeps on doing that, there will be a few additional problems, as stated below.
- The cat will soon injure its paws and skin from consistent biting. This will have deteriorating infections if it keeps on biting its paws.
- Your cat may have tissue damage and complications with paw pads due to continuous biting.
- There will be more skin irritation as time goes by.
- Your cat can start having a bad habit of biting its paw subconsciously. Note that this can also cause emotional or behavioral distress to your cat.
- For excessive biting, the cat may consume any leftovers or something that is not good for it. This can cause digestive complications for the cat.
Check Out : Cat Licking Revolution Plus
FAQs
In this section, we’ll answer some of the most common queries people have regarding the matter!
Will my cat’s feet heal themselves?
If your cat has gotten a little wound or something, it will heal by itself over time. However, if you see your cat’s feet not healing by itself within a week or so, you need to get medical assistance in no time.
Can I use petroleum jelly for my cat’s injuries?
It depends on what type of injuries you are using petroleum jelly for. But if you are considering it for peeled paws, crusty noses, or scratchy elbows, this can be quite a good option. Note that Aquaphor can also be good for these problems.
Is coconut oil good for a cat’s wounded paws?
Yes, coconut oil can be good for a cat’s wounded paws. You can let your cat drink it, or you may just apply it on its paws. This will kill parasites like mange, fleas, and many more to prevent the paws from itching and drying off.
The Final Words
Now you know why your cat is biting paws until bloody! I believe you understand my treatments and can get your cat to recover soon.
Before I wrap it up, here is a last tip for you. No matter if your cat is biting its paws or not, try to check its feet regularly. Examine if there is any redness, swellings, cuts, or so to diagnose and treat it right away. Good time with your cat!
