Cat Paws And Cold Winter Weather

Animals’ paws are vulnerable to frostbite and other injuries in freezing temperatures, which even concerns such hardy breeds of cats as Maine Coons and Siberians.

Frostbite and other injuries are common for cats in winter. Apply non-toxic balm or paw wax to your cat’s paw pads when temperatures drop below 0°C (32°F). When the cat comes home, clean his paws with a wet towel and inspect them for any injuries. If you notice the signs of frostbite, avoid massaging the area or applying anything hot to the area, and take your pet to a veterinarian for treatment.

Your pet should stay home if at all possible on any especially cold day but many cats like to venture out even on a freezing day.

Adaptation To Cold Weather

Cats’ paws do have some adaptations to withstand low temperatures and contact with cold surfaces for some time:

The paw pads, or cushions, are supplied with an elaborate network of capillaries to promote optimal perfusion
The pads have a layer of adipose tissue to shield them from impact as well as temperature extremes

Many long-haired felines also have tufts of fur between the digits of paws for additional protection

When an animal spends too much time outdoors in the cold and becomes even mildly hypothermic, blood vessels constrict to conserve warmth and energy for the core of the body. At that point, the paws become more vulnerable to frostbite and injury.

INJURIES ASSOCIATED WITH COLD WEATHER

Frostbite

Frostbite is a real possibility for any animal when the temperature is below the freezing point. Paws, tails, and ears are especially vulnerable. These are the signs and symptoms of frostbite:

Paws or other affected parts of the body feel cold to the touch
The animal is visibly in pain and guards the affected limb
The area looks discolored and pale and often turns blue, purple, or grey

As the paw thaws, the tissue begins to look inflamed and reddish, but that may happen a few days after frostbite
At a later stage, the paw may turn necrotic and fall off, if the injury is severe
Many cats will develop an infection at the necrotic site, there may be pus and a foul odor

It is important to avoid rubbing or massaging the area. Bring the cat inside as soon as possible and cover the animal with blankets to warm him up gradually. You could use warm water (a little warmer than lukewarm) to warm up the paw.

A visit to the vet is important to examine the cat and possibly prescribe antibiotics to prevent an infection. The veterinarian may need to amputate the affected limb if it does become necrotic.

Mechanical Injury

Frostbite is not the only danger coming from staying outside in freezing weather.

When paws are not optimally perfused, which is usually the case in very cold weather, they are more susceptible to developing scratches and cracks. Not only would this cause pain to the animal, but it also opens the possibility for infection. Then, if the cat spends a lot of time in the cold quite often, any infection could be persistent and difficult to heal.

Many cats go outside daily, even on very cold days. If the day is particularly chilly, try to keep your pet inside if at all possible. If the cat does venture out for some time, check his paws for any rocks or pieces of ice, as well as any scratches and cracks. It is important to remove any debris and, if needed, clean the paws with a wet cloth.

Chemicals Irritants And Toxins

Many places use salt and chemical substances to keep the driveways and walkways free of ice and snow.

Not only could those substances be irritating to the paws, but the cat will also probably start grooming at some point and will try to lick off the residue off his paws. It is highly possible that the chemical could be toxic to the animal, especially since it is hard to know what a particular municipality or a private entity might be using to clear the driveway.

HOW TO PROTECT A CAT’S PAWS IN WINTER

In addition to keeping your kitty as healthy as possible and well-fed, particularly during the cold season, you could try some specific interventions to keep his paws safe in winter.

Clean And Inspect Paws When The Cat Comes Home

An easy and important step is to take care of your pet’s paws upon the animal’s return home.

Cats often have small rocks stuck on their paws, or chemical substances, such as ice-melting chemicals which irritate paw pads, especially if there are any scratches on the paw.

Cleaning the paws as soon as the cat comes home reduces the risk of infections and further injury.
Use a wet cloth at room temperature or slightly warmer. Avoid using water or a wet cloth that is very warm.

Cleaning the paws also gives you a chance to inspect the paws for any injury, which can be hard to notice in cats.
If you notice that your cat is licking the paws more than normal, you should take a close look for any scratches or other injuries.

Socks, Boots, Paw Balm

The most reliable way to protect the paws is a physical barrier. Booties or socks for cats would be great but, needless to say, cats hate anything we put on them, no matter how good our intentions are.

If you would like to teach your cat to feel comfortable in booties or socks, have the animal wear boots/socks ahead of time. Your cat could wear them at home now and then. It would not hurt to offer a treat when the cat is wearing boots, to promote some positive associations.

It is, however, common that the need for options other than socks or boots becomes evident – cats don’t like to wear things.

Paw wax/balm/butter products are the next best option. Beeswax and paraffin are the main ingredients of paw butter and paw balm products, which are formulated to seal off the paw and protect it from ice, cold, and chemicals.

Paw wax or butter are good shields from minor injuries, frostbite, and, for that matter, hot asphalt in summer, too. Most cats do not mind these emollient products but it is important to make sure that paw wax or butter is non-toxic and safe for the animals to ingest. Cats often try to lick the protective layer from the paws, so it has to be safe for them. Of course, if the cat tries to lick it off aggressively, the protective value of the product is diminished.

Paw wax can be messy when your pet returns home, so it is important to clean the paws with a warm wet cloth.

Petroleum Jelly Products

Purified petroleum-based products are safe to use on pet paws and could be a cheaper alternative to paw wax with similar protective value.

The most commonly used products are Vaseline and Aquaphor. Aquaphor is a superior option because it not only creates a barrier but also moisturizes the paws. This product is commonly used by parents and hospitals for baby skincare, and can also be used as a moisturizer for extremely dry skin.

DIY Moisturizing Barrier Products

You can use products you have at home, such as coconut oil or olive oil, to mix them and create a barrier for your pet’s paws.

For best results, you can melt some beeswax and mix it with olive and coconut oils (1 half beeswax to 1 half mixture of other oils:

Use a small boiler to melt the beeswax and oils on low heat for a minute or so.
Mix them well while melting.
You could use containers of your choice to pour the mixture into to be able to use it more comfortably.

When it cools down and hardens, it is ready to use.

Many people like to make their paw balm because they know exactly what is in it. The process of making it is simple and quick, too.

Keep Your Yard Free Of Hazards

Many cats like to wander around the neighborhood, so it is impossible to be aware of all kinds of hazards. If your furry friend mostly likes to hang out in your yard and does not leave too far, you should prioritize keeping the immediate environment free of ice, antifreeze, salt, and anything that could become a hazard to your pet.

To Conclude

It is ideal to simply keep your kitty at home when it is too cold to go outside. As a lifelong parent of indoor-outdoor cats, the author of this post is well aware of how persistent cats can be if they like to spend some time outdoors.

Minimizing the time your cat spends outside, along with carefully inspecting the paws regularly, are good practices. Any barrier you can create for the kitty’s paws to prevent direct contact with ice, chemicals in the driveways, and simply the air that is too cold, will help protect your pet’s paws in winter.