Typically, by paying close attention to your cat’s body language, you will understand that they just want to be petted.
So, your cat’s reaching paw could just simply be them stretching out their claws from a long nap.
There are endless ways a cat can ask for extra attention including sitting on your lap, kneading their paws into you, and reaching out to you.
This could be his way of communicating that he is hungry.
So, if your cat extends their paw to you, don’t ignore it, this behavior just means that they want someone to play with.
From observing their owners’ behaviors, cats have learned to do it themselves and are possibly just returning the gesture.
The best thing to do if your cat is showing signs of discomfort is to check their paws for any cuts or scratches and apply some ointment if needed.