My cat’s paw pads suddenly look red. What is wrong?

Red paw pads in cats are usually caused by bacterial infection; a small untreated wound leads to frequent licking and rubbing, causing hair loss and ulcers. If the wound is small and the cat is otherwise fine, home care is possible: clip the local fur and rinse with iodine or saline to avoid secondary contamination.

After cleaning, apply a pet-specific wound ointment such as erythromycin or a spray, and give oral broad-spectrum pet antibiotics to control infection. Keep an Elizabethan collar on to prevent licking, and keep the area dry and the environment clean.