My cat (who is diabetic and insulin-resistant, so he drinks and urinates a lot) is getting litter stuck to the fur on his paws and between his pads.
Since he walks on his hocks (a complication of his diabetes), it also gets stuck all along his legs.
I can't seem to get it off; it forms these little hard clumps like stones and it hurts him when I try to remove them. Plus, he's leaving it all over the house as they must eventually come loose on their own...
Has anyone else dealt with this and found a way to get the litter off?
I don't want to switch litters as I've tried plenty, and given how much he urinates, I absolutely need to use clumping litter. I've attached a photo so you can see what I mean.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Translated from French
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My cat has the same problem and I'm looking for a solution – he won't let me wash his paws. He washes them in his water bowl instead, making his water all mucky and leaving paw prints everywhere.
Hi everyone,
Thanks for your replies. I tried the bowl method and actually, with enough water and patience, it does work... but I found it easier to do it under a running tap in the sink. It's not all gone, but it’s a good start. I’ve realised how he gets litter all over his paws now: there’s so much urine that it doesn’t all clump together, leaving a puddle... and then he walks right into it since he’s plantigrade and moving around is a bit tricky for him. I’m also going to try using something oily; I’ve bought some sweet almond oil. Thanks again for all your advice.
Hi there,
Another option could be to regularly trim the fur on their paws and between the pads, if your cat will let you. You could also try applying a thin layer of something like Vaseline or a moisturiser to stop the litter from sticking. Make sure to keep a regular check on how the condition is developing and how the treatment is going with your vet.
Best wishes,
Claire
Hello,
Use warm water (a cat’s average body temperature is around 38.5°C).
If he’ll let you, put about 8 inches of water in a basin. Sit on a chair with the basin between your legs and the cat on your lap. Hold him under his tummy and lower him gently, bit by bit, into the warm water. Use your fingers to ease the bits of gravel out of his paws.
Have a towel ready to dry him off.
You should probably switch your cat litter and try wood pellets instead. Clumping gravel is designed to stick together when wet (that’s its job), but it’s supposed to stay in the litter tray, not on your cat’s paws...
Liza
To get it off their pads or the fur on their paw, try using some warm water—not too hot, mind, it’s a cat after all. You could try soaking the paw in a small basin. And you’ll need plenty of patience!
You might want to try a plant-based clumping litter; it doesn’t clump into a hard mass like plaster the way mineral litter can, but it’s just as effective (and you can flush it down the loo). For example, there are some fine-grain natural brands, but there are plenty of others out there.
Hi there,
I can't really see any other option besides changing the litter. There are some excellent clumping litters with a 'sandy' texture that are much finer than the standard grit. They’re a bit more expensive, but honestly, considering the state of your old boy’s paws, it’s definitely worth a go.
