Maddie’s Tale of Living With Feline Pododermatitis

By Rescue Tales

Some of our storytales come with wagging tails, some with a soft purr, and others—like Maddie’s—come with tender little paws that need a bit more care. Today, we’re sharing our journey with a condition many cat parents may not have heard of: feline pododermatitis.  

What is Pododermatitis?

Pododermatitis, often known as "pillow foot" is a condition where the cat's paw pads become inflamed, swollen and red.  There is no real known cause but often associated with an immune system response.  Learn more here.  In Maddie's case, we believe it was due to an injury.

How It Started

Maddie’s tale began late last summer with what seemed like a routine spat between her and her sister dog, Zipper. Maddie has always been slightly intolerant of Zipper’s enthusiasm, especially when it comes to personal space. One day, after an overly intrusive sniff, Maddie swatted to set a boundary—something that happens often. But this time, her claw got caught in Zipper’s fur. They were tangled enough that I had to physically separate them.

Over the next few weeks, I occasionally noticed what looked like mild redness or irritation on Maddie’s paw. It was hard to get a clear look, and she didn’t seem bothered, so we kept an eye on it and assumed it would resolve on its own. With other health issues taking center stage, we thought this was behind us. But every so often, I’d catch a glimpse of that same claw—and there it was again: subtle redness that didn’t quite look right. Then one day, as Maddie lounged in her cat bed, I happened to walk by and saw something alarming. Her front paws were flipped outward, and one paw—the one we’d kept tabs on—was completely inflamed. Every pad was bright red and swollen. I compared her front paws side by side, and the difference was obvious. This wasn’t minor irritation anymore—it was something serious.

While I always advocate for veterinary care when dealing with medical issues, I also believe in supporting healing at home when appropriate. We recently had Maddie's claws clipped and paw looked over at the last vet visit and they said everything looked fine (after telling them about her claw getting stuck). We had just spent hundreds of dollars on diagnostic tests to rule out possible causes for other symptoms—particularly litter box issues—and suddenly, it clicked: this could very well be the underlying issue. Paw pain is one of the main reasons cats stop using their litter box.  I immediately got to work researching what might help and whether there were safe, effective home remedies we could try to support her recovery.

Our At-Home Healing Routine

We began a gentle routine at home:

1. Epsom Salt Soaks (Every 3 Days)

• Clean paw with gentle cleanser
• 1 tablespoon of unscented Epsom salt
• 1 cup of warm (not hot) water
• Soak the paw for 7–10 minutes (we soaked a washcloth, then wrapped her paw in the cloth and waited)

Maddie wasn't thrilled, but we used treats and soft encouragement to get through it. Epsom salts are known for their anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. Learn more here.

2. Post-Soak Care: Neosporin + Bandage

• Gently dry the paw with a clean towel
• Apply a thin layer of vet-approved Neosporin (without pain relief)
• Wrap the paw loosely with breathable gauze - ours was pink camouflage.

We left the bandage on for about 24 hours to prevent licking and allow the ointment to absorb.

3. Letting It Breathe

For the next two days, we left her paw unwrapped to dry out and recover naturally. We encouraged her to rest on soft surfaces and avoided rough floors. We repeated this entire process every 3–4 days.

Signs of Healing We Noticed

• Swelling reduced within the first week
• Redness gradually faded
• Her paw pads began to look more normal

Within two to three weeks, we saw real progress. Her paw no longer looked inflamed, and the color had mostly returned to normal.

Paw Pain Can Lead to Litter Box Problems

For months, we were focused on other medical reasons and even behavior-based reasons for Maddie’s litter box issues—from stress, to food changes, to environmental shifts. We ruled out many medical issues through extensive bloodwork. But as her paw pads began to heal, we noticed a significant improvement in her litter box habits.

Painful, swollen paws can make litter feel sharp or abrasive. Squatting might hurt more, and even stepping in or out of the box becomes uncomfortable. Cats may avoid the box not out of defiance, but discomfort.

We switched to a soft, low-dust litter formulated for sensitive paws and got her a new litter box with lower sides, and that—combined with treating her pododermatitis—seemed to help what we’d been trying to fix for months. But not completely, we are not 100% out of the woods yet.

Caring With Compassion

This journey with Maddie reminded us how intuitive cats can be—and how resilient. She never complained or limped. She adapted. With daily observation and consistent care, healing was possible from home.

If your pet is experiencing similar paw issues, always consult your vet first. But don’t underestimate the power of gentle, loving care at home too.

Have you treated pododermatitis at home? Share your experience with us—we love hearing your Rescue Tales.