\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Coconut oil can also be used to help treat various skin conditions, such as allergies, hot spots, and flea bites. Coconut oil is a great way to boost your skin and fur from the inside out. Olive oil can even help a cat lose weight due to the way the monounsaturated fats break down fat cells in the animal's body. Encourage your cat to drink more water by using a pet fountain as running water is very enticing for cats. Cat livers are unable to remove terpenic acids and phenol compounds found in olive oil, which make it difficult for them to detoxify. Instead, wash those areas with warm, soapy water to prevent any accidental cuts or scratches. If your cat has very dry, cracked, or bleeding pads, it could be because its protein intake is too low. Examples of these include coconut oil and olive oil. Feed her small pieces of treats while you clean and treat her dry and cracked paws. Other natural paw moisturizers that are safe include fish oil, olive oil, vitamin E oil, and coconut oil. Best Overall: Meaningful Tree Super Pet Total Health. Some of the causes of dry cat paws include dry air, excessive licking, exposure to rough surfaces, and extreme weather. It's rich in oleic acid, linolenic acid, linoleic acid, omega fatty acids, and vitamins A, D, E, and K for moisturizing your cat's paws. To do this, apply olive oil directly to the base of the matt with a syringe (the non-needle kind) and gently rub it in. The oil kills parasites like mange, fleas, and ticks, which have suffocated and died as a result of the fat content of the oil. However, if you notice that your cat wants to go outside you may install a catio or cat enclosure in the backyard so she may still have some outdoor time. Essential oils, such as lavender, copaiba, and helichrysum, are safe to use in cats, and many essential oils are also useful for dogs. fever, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and seizures are among the symptoms of the disease. If your cats paws become dry, cracked, or irritated you should consult your vet for the right treatment. Once melted, carefully remove jar from the pot, and pour the melted oils into small glass jars. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. After cleaning your cats paws, try one of these cat-safe moisturizing methods. Keep reading if you want to learn how to feed your cat a healthy diet to keep its fur glossy. If you use organic coconut oil, you can reduce and even eliminate hairballs. Talk to your vet about adding zinc supplements to your cats diet. Applying Vitamin E oil to the skin and coat can help to maintain its health. However, it will make stools softer or even liquid, so don't overfeed your cat this oil. Supports healthy immune system, digestion, lean muscle & beautiful fur. In general, for an average cat, you should start with about 1 teaspoon and work your way up to 1/2 teaspoon over time. If youre feeling good, see the vet and go ahead and get on your way. I am not a certified veterinarian, but you should consult with one before applying oil. How To Cut Your Long-Haired Cats Fur At Home, Is Friskees Extra Gravy Pate Cat Food Any Good, What Is The Ash Content In Blue Wilderness Cat Food. About our Ads. Extra-virgin olive oil is the purest form of olive oil available, so using . How much tuna should I give my cat? Natural moisturizer with antibacterial properties, High in calories. Cats have distinct skin characteristics that differ from that of humans, so use shampoo that best suits their needs. Have one to sell? Your cat may be prone to dry cat paws because of her excessive licking behavior. Like the other remedies, use as needed to keep your cats paws hydrated. It soothes dry and cracked paws which tend to be painful especially if its infected and irritated due to exposure to hot or freezing surfaces like icy roads and hot pavements. Coconut oil and olive oil are both healthy oils that can be used in a variety of ways. Thats right, yours could be hiding an illness right now and youd never even know it. Can olive oil really help my cat who suffers from diarrhoea and vomiting? You should feed your cat with protein-rich cat food but stay away from low-quality cat food that may contain preservatives, unwanted carbohydrates, and fillers. Keeping your cat indoors protects her from dry cat paws to saome extent. However, you should always check the ingredient list before you buy paw butter to use on your cat. If youre in the middle of a project and dont want to put your supplies away, then make sure your cat cant get into the room where the oil is located. Cats that have access outdoors are more prone to dry and cracked paws. Mated fur can irritate the skin of a cat over time and cause infections. In rare cases, dry paws can be caused by a diet too low in protein. Your use of this site is subject to the terms of our Legal Statement. Anything it has come in contact with through its pads, such as road salt or deicers, pesticides, or other toxic substances, can now be ingested. While we often brush our kittys coat and check their teeth, its easy to forget about the pads on the underside of their paws. You do not need to give your cat one sardine per week or more frequently as long as your cats caloric intake is adjusted accordingly. Because cats can be finicky, its important to go slowly and make it a positive experience for your cat. These are the common treatment options for dry cat paws: Coconut oil has natural anti-bacterial components that help to heal dry and cracked cat paws. Think for a moment about how cats use their paws. Here are some of the most commonly-used ingredients in paw butter: Since these substances are safe for consumption, they wont hurt your cat if ingested. Once your cat tolerates you handling their paws, make it a point to examine them daily, especially after they return from an outdoor jaunt. The antioxidants in olive oil help fight free radicals and promote proper cellular function. If your cat has just returned home from its outdoor adventures, you should clean its paws with a damp cloth before applying olive oil. Ingesting too much coconut oil may lead to diarrhea and vomiting. If you want to shave mats out, make sure you follow the manufacturers instructions with care to avoid causing any damage to your cats coat. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Natural moisturizing agents (such as coconut oil) can be used to treat your cats dry patches. Here are the common causes why your cats paws become dry and cracked: Cats do not have protective clothing over their paws so they walk on bare paws exposing them to various rough elements and surfaces like pavements and roads. Avoid applying too much coconut oil into your cats paws as your cat will most likely lick most of it off. Look for scratches, sores, and foreign objects, says the Animal Care Clinic in Lexington, Kentucky. Your cat will benefit from all three of these components, which boosts and improves his or her immune system in order to fight off illnesses. Because these oils are safe to ingest, you can apply them to your cat's paws without worry. Depending on your cats weight, you can give them half a teaspoon or about 20% of their daily calorie intake. We use our feet to walk, run, and jump, but cats do all that and more. There isnt much olive oil to give your cats, but it isnt the worst either. Dont forget to give your cat lots of treats and love after its ordeal! Last Updated: August 3, 2020 Vegetable oil may not be harmful to cats, but it could cause stomach discomfort. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Coconut oil can be an excellent topical natural remedy for a variety of common cat problems such as hairballs, matted fur, and ear mites, and when added to your cats diet, it can also help promote skin, regular bowel movements, and hairball prevention. Why or why not? Before you can give coconut oil to your cat as a treatment, consult with a veterinarian to ensure that it is safe and effective. Best for Healthy Joints: Reggie Morning Hip + Joint. Alternatively, you can feed your cat a raw food diet. Learn how your comment data is processed. My name is Katie, and I have had different pets at home for as long as I can remember. At some point in the day, your kitty will take it upon themselves to clean their own paws by licking them, in the process ingesting any harmful substances their little feet may have picked up. In addition to killing parasites such as mange, fleas, and ticks, it also kills fat in the oil. This quick guide to cat paw care will help you keep all of the cat paw pads in your fur family healthy and clean. Most other oils your cat might get into, like essential oils, gasoline, or cooking oils, wont harden on its fur. You can also look for a skin and coat cat food formula that targets dryness. Olive oil that has been processed less should be purchased rather than other types of olive oil. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Olive oil soothes and heals cracked paws. Cats that always go outside are better off with protection on their . Supplement your cat's diet by giving her 2.5 to 5 milligrams zinc and 50 micrograms of selenium every day for two weeks. One option is to use a pet-safe shampoo that is designed specifically for cats. Its important to moisturize your cats paws if they become dry, cracked, or irritated. At FAQCats, we strive to provide content that is both accurate and entertaining to read. Make sure that your cats paws are protected from rough, hot, or cold surfaces with puppy booties. Because cats are obligate carnivores, their bodies must consume animal-derived proteins. Most veterinarians do not advise cutting your cats fur. If your cat is agreeable, you could try to dry its fur with a blowdryer. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. If you don't have a product specifically for paw pads, try gently rubbing Vaseline into your cat's paw pads two to three times a week. Its bound to want to explore what youre doing, so take care to keep it away so it doesnt get exposed to any oils. Additionally, when a cat is injured they might be less receptive to you inspecting them, so do your best to keep them comfortable and calm while you inspect them. If you do accidentally cut into the quick, keep some styptic powder to stop the bleeding. Your cat will benefit from more amino acids, as well as zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, and other nutrients that are required for healthy skin and paws.