In summer, a season expected for humans and cats, sometimes hides real traps for our Mustache companions. Who would suspect that the pads, so resistant in appearance, can turn into real sensitive points under the effect of heat and summer activities? However, cracks, wounds or infections are more frequent than you think and can really Make well-beingeven the mobility of your feline. Knowing how to locate the first signs and adopting the right gestures then becomes crucial to spend a summer without incident.
When your cat’s pads become vulnerable: Learn to detect summer alert signals
During the sunny days, your cat’s pads are more exposed to invisible but very real risks. Heat, abrasive floors, or simply the intensification of the activity From cat outside can weaken this key part of its anatomy. Recognizing early signals is essential to intervene quickly and avoid complications.
Your cat box or licks their legs without stop ? Open your eye on these revealing behaviors
A cat that box, which suddenly slows down its race, or which stops frequently to lick the legs intensely does not emit these signals by chance. These are alert behaviorsometimes very discreet, often indicating discomfort, pain, or even the start of an injury or an infection.
If your companion, usually player and lively, seems to avoid some trips or spends more time than usual to inspect his legs, it’s time to monitor his pads more closely. A excessive licking can also quickly worsen a small lesion, until it causes oozing, irritation or infections.
Redness, Chasing, wounds: zoom in on the visible manifestations of weakened pads
To the naked eye, the appearance of cracks, small cuts, or reddish areas on the pads must immediately alert. A healthy pad is flexible, smooth, of a uniform color. In summer, it is not uncommon to notice:
- Localized redness or inflammation
- Small dead skins or superficial crevices
- Deepest chapping sometimes painful
- Inlaid sand or gravel deposits
- Unusual smell (signe possible d’infection)
Some cats also have small wounds that can evolve quickly if they are not treated. A regular vigilanceespecially after an outing or intense game, makes it possible to limit complications.
No question of letting heat damage its legs: Simple gestures to protect your companion
Prevent is worth a thousand treatments, and this is all the more true for the pads. Faced with summer dangers – heat, abrasive surfaces, dust – a few simple gestures allow to offer The best protection to your cat.
Burning surfaces, enemies number one: how to act during summer outings
Bitumen, terraces, tile or sheet metal balconies … All these coatings can exceed 50 ° C in the sun. For your cat, put a leg on it, especially if it is not used to it, can cause burns, pain and cracks.
- Always check the temperature of a surface with your hand Before letting your cat walk there.
- Favor fresh hours (early in the morning, late in the evening) for free outings.
- Install shadow corners and comfortable hiding places in your exterior.
- Avoid balconies exposed to south Without carpet or suitable protection.
Also limit extended outings during heat wave periods, even for a cat that claims fresh air.
Choose the right gestures and products for a daily hydration and maintenance
The hydration of the pads is a precious rampart against cracks and drought. The choice of care must be made smoothly:
- Regularly clean the legs With a clean and humid cloth after each outing.
- Use a protective balm suitable for cats (never products intended for humans, often too fatty or fragrant).
- Avoid lotions containing alcohol or essential oilsirritating to our felines.
- Keep the environment clean To limit the risk of infection.
Regular maintenance prevents most of the problems and offers a moment of complicity Appreciated by the cat, especially if it is used to young people to handle the legs.
Anticipate to better pamper: reflexes to adopt all summer to keep healthy pads
Establishing good habits from the start of summer helps keep your cat agile, curious and always ready for new adventures. Some simple reflexes make the difference in prevention.
Regular surveillance and first aid: Actions that make all the difference
Observation remains the key. Examine every week – or more often if your cat comes out – the state of the pads. An explanatory table can help you identify the urgency of a situation:
| Symptom | Immediate action |
|---|---|
| Light redness, small cracks | Clean, hydrate with a dedicated balm, monitor the evolution |
| Open wound, bleeding | Disinfect gently, limit outings, watch |
| Persistent lameness, marked pain | Immobilize the paw, consult quickly |
| Suspicious smell, oozing, swelling | See without delay: risk of infection |
Be vigilant to any behavior change because it can betray a Pain that the cat mask instinctively.
When to consult the veterinarian? Recognize situation not to be dragged
Some signs require rapid professional intervention:
- Persistent lameness beyond 24 hours
- Presence of pus, strong smell, significant inflammation
- Wound not healing or getting worse
- Lethargy, loss of appetite associated with injury
In these situations, the faster we act, the better the chances of complete healing. A veterinarian will be able to detect a deep infection Or a foreign body difficult to spot with the naked eye.
His pads will thank him: essential points for a gentle summer
In summer, cat pads are more fragile than it seems and can quickly develop cracks, cuts or infections, real brakes to their development. Attentive surveillance, Simple protection gestures And regular maintenance are often enough to avoid many hassles. Taking care of the legs of his feline companion is guaranteeing comfort, security and freedom of movement. A cat with healthy pads is a cat that fully benefits from summer pleasures, for your greatest happiness to both.
