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Why is my 12-year-old cat with CRF chewing his paws until they bleed?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 10.4 lbs

Our 12 year old cat got diagnosed with CRF, and as prescribed by our vet we have been doing 100 ml of sub q injections daily. He's recently (past week) started chewing his front paws next to his thumb to the point of bleeding

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on May 15th, 2018

It sounds like Goblin's front paws are bothering him for some reason, and it could be he has injured them or has an infection. This is something I would have a vet check out, as this isn't normal. Give your vet a call in the morning to make an appointment to have him seen. Best of luck.

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1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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my cats back paw claw is hanging off, it's bleeding and it smells, cat keeps licking it and won't let us near him,
Oh goodness, that looks like a deep infection. It could be bacterial or fungal, but I suspect more likely bacterial. He needs to see a veterinarian for an examination and treatment plan. However, in the meantime if he will allow you to soak his foot in warm water and Epsom salts that may be soothing and beneficial. Best of luck and I hope he improves soon. Thank you for using Pet Coach.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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What's wrong with my cats pads? All 4 paws are/were cracked and bleeding. Trying to heal but he hurts to walk
There is a disease call "plasma cell pododermatitis" that affects the footpads of cats, making them swell and sometimes crack. It's poorly understood, but believed to be an autoimmune disease. Treatment usually consists of a specific antibiotic (doxycycline) which somehow regulates the immune system (again, we don't understand why) and drugs to suppress the immune system (prednisolone or cyclosporine). Sometimes we have to bandage the feet temporarily to help with the pain and to aid healing. Soldier may also need pain medication for a time until he is more comfortable. Your vet should be able to diagnose this condition and start treatment. Good luck.
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I took my cat to the vet and she wasn't sure what is wrong with my cat's paw. She bandaged it and and hour later he was able to get it off. Hoping to get a second opinion on what this could be. His paw is only bleeding next to the 4th and 5th digits.
Hi, I think she either has some kind of skin infection or pododermatitis which is an inflammation that can cause painful pads. I would not keep the foot bandaged but I would prevent her from licking it by using a buster collar. Have a look at this useful article https://www.petcoach.co/article/cracked-paw-pads-and-other-foot-problems-in-cats-explained/
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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My cats paw was bleeding when I came home and it looks like he ripped out his claw? He has severe separation anxiety and my other cat is at the vet for surgery. What would you recommend for this or does it look like he did something else to his paw?
If it currently bleeding you can use some corn starch to help slow the bleeding. Also if you are able to place a light bandage on it to prevent him from licking it tonight that would be good. You can also use a cone collar which you can find at your local pet store if it is still open. I would take him to your vet first thing in the morning for an exam. He may need to have it cleaned, medicated and professionally wrapped. Your vet will also be able to provide antibiotics and pain meds if need. If it is profusely bleeding then I would take him to your local emergency clinic for attention tonight. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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My cat has been bleeding from his paws and they are producing a weird smell, the nails are quite splintery and broken.
This presentation may be compatible with a infection and the weird smell may come from the presence of pus. A picture would be extremely helpful to confirm it. A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm this clinical suspicion and treat appropriately. Antibiotics may be needed. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!
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I think my cat is teething. He’s five months old. He’s clawing at his mouth and getting his paw bloody.
That is a little biot more blood than I would like to see. Very carefully open your kitty's mouth and check the gums, teeth and tongue. There may be ulcers or an injury or he has a tooth that is meant to come out but stuck at a funny angle. If so your kitty needs to be seen by a veterinarian for an exam. If there are no wounds other than where he lost a tooth, then there is nothing you need to do and the bleeding and discomfort should go away soon.
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My cat has large red sore on bottom of back paw that is bleeding (looks like large blister) I have picture of sore. She will not walk on her back paw
Hi, and thanks for your question. Even though a picture would help to understand better the underlying cause, This presentation could be due to a trauma or localized spot of skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria). A check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem. Disinfection may be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any licking. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. Please find the time to give us a feedback about the consultation as that will be used to improve our service.
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Hi. I have a kitten that is around a few months old. Recently her paws are peeling and bleeding. It also is starting to smell bad. Oddly she still can walk normally but I'm really worried. It's also happening to all of her paws but her right paw is t
It is hard to tell by the picture. I would recommend taking him to a vet to have it looked at since it smells. Odor can be a sign of infection and need antibiotics. It is also possible he has pillow feet This is were the paw pads tear and bleed.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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My cat climbed a fence and scratched up her two back toes on her front legs. They're both bloody but one looks like it may have peeled. I researched putting antibiotic cream on them, so I did. She has not been let outside (I would only let her roam t
You can try making an Epsom salts soak (directions for dilution with warm water are on the package), which will help to cleanse the toes, and hopefully give Maki some protection against infection - but she might not tolerate it well. You can also purchase an e-collar, which will keep her from licking, as this often causes secondary infection. You can show this to your parents - if the skin is truly peeled back, it's likely that Maki is quite painful (imagine how that would feel) and needs veterinary care in order to protect the area, prevent infection, and treat the pain. You might tell them that dealing with this now, rather than later, may be less expensive, as foot injuries can easily get complicated in cats, since they use a litter box, and infection is common.
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I got Jeff for free from a farm when he was a kitten but a week ago he started limping, I figured he just pulled a muscle or something but when I got home tonight I saw that his paw was bleeding and there is a sore. I don’t have the money to bring hi
Hi, in the first picture it looks like there could be a bit of infection as the fluid seems cloudy. Looking at the second one the skin lesion looks more like podo dermatitis, an inflammation of Jeff's pad. I think it is worthy to have hm checked over, in order to get some medications and help him towards a speedy recovery. If you don't take him to see your vet, his foot will continue to get worse and every time he puts his foot down to walk he will be in a lot of pain. I think your vet will not need to run tests but just give him some medications and therefore cost should be limited. All the best and thank you for using Boop by Petco !
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