Updated September 25, 2026. Fact-checked against veterinary sources; review by a licensed veterinarian is in progress. See our editorial policy.
Quick answer: Hyperkeratosis is an overgrowth of keratin, the tough protein in the outer skin layer. In cats it usually shows up as thick, crusty, or cracked paw pads, or crusting on the nose, ears, or face. Unlike in dogs, it’s rarely just “dry skin” in cats. It’s usually a sign of an underlying condition such as an immune disease, a viral infection, or occasionally cancer, so a vet exam is important. Treatment targets the cause.
What it looks like
- Thick, hard, or crusty paw pads, sometimes cracked or bleeding
- Soft, puffy, or purplish swollen pads (“pillow paw”)
- Crusting on the nose, ear tips, face, or around the claws
- Horn-like growths on the pads (cutaneous horns)
- Limping, licking the paws, or reluctance to walk on hard floors
Common causes in cats
- Pemphigus foliaceus: the most common autoimmune skin disease in cats. It causes crusts on the face and ears, thick pads, and cheesy discharge around the claws.
- Plasma cell pododermatitis (“pillow paw”): an immune condition that makes the pads soft, swollen, and sometimes ulcerated.
- Viral infections: FeLV and FIV are linked to cutaneous horns and other skin changes.
- Cancer-related skin disease: some internal cancers cause skin crusting or shiny, peeling skin, and squamous cell carcinoma can develop on the nose or ears, especially in light-colored cats with sun exposure.
- Infections: bacterial, yeast, or ringworm infections can cause crusting.
- Nutritional problems: rare in cats eating a complete commercial diet.
When to see a vet
Book a visit if you notice thickened, crusty, or swollen pads or skin that doesn’t clear up within a few days. Go sooner if your cat is limping, the pads are cracked or bleeding, or your cat is also losing weight, not eating, or lethargic.
How vets diagnose it
Your vet may take skin scrapings, look at samples under the microscope, test for FeLV and FIV, do a fungal culture, and run bloodwork. A skin biopsy is often the key test for pemphigus and pillow paw.
Treatment
- Pemphigus: immune-suppressing medication, often a steroid at first, then a lower long-term dose or other drugs.
- Pillow paw: many cats improve with the antibiotic doxycycline, which also has anti-inflammatory effects. Some need steroids or surgery.
- Infections: antibiotics or antifungal medication.
- Cutaneous horns and tumors: surgical removal and a biopsy to check for cancer.
- Pad care your vet prescribes, such as soaks or protective dressings.
Safe home care
- Soft surfaces: provide rugs, bedding, and soft resting areas.
- Keep paws clean and dry, and check them daily for cracks or bleeding.
- Soft litter: a fine, unscented litter or paper litter may be more comfortable.
- Pad balms only with your vet’s approval: cats lick their paws, so anything you apply will be swallowed.
- Doxycycline tablets must be followed by water or food, because they can cause narrowing of a cat’s esophagus if they stick. Your vet or pharmacist can show you how.
What to avoid
- Trimming or filing thick pads yourself: it’s easy to cut into living tissue.
- Tea tree oil and essential oils: toxic to cats.
- Human creams with salicylic acid, urea, zinc, or steroids, unless your vet prescribes them.
- Dog paw balms not labeled safe for cats.
Frequently asked questions
Is hyperkeratosis in cats painful?
It can be, especially if pads crack or become swollen and ulcerated. Limping and licking are signs of discomfort.
Can it be cured?
It depends on the cause. Infections usually clear with treatment. Immune diseases like pemphigus are often controlled long term with medication.
Is it contagious?
The immune causes aren’t. Ringworm and some viral causes can spread to other cats, and ringworm can spread to people.
Sources
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Pemphigus complex in cats
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Diseases of the footpads
- Bizikova P, Burrows A. Feline pemphigus foliaceus: original case series and a comprehensive literature review. BMC Vet Res. 2019
- Bettenay SV, et al. Prospective study of the treatment of feline plasmacytic pododermatitis with doxycycline. Vet Rec. 2003
- Cornell Feline Health Center: Skin diseases in cats
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for care from your own veterinarian. Learn about The Pet Vet and our editorial policy.