I Can Has Cheezburger? Newsletter

Facts Less Known About Cat Paws

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  • 1

    Cats have dominant paws

    picture of pink cat paws

    Just like humans, cats too have a dominant paw. Cats have paw preferences, especially when they are performing challenging tasks. Wanna find out . if your cat is righty or lefty?It's easy, all you have to do is give them difficult tasks, such as fishing yummy treats out of hard to reach places. In order to get the most accurate reading, the task needs to be replicated at least 75 times! So make sure its a snack your cat will eagerly want! 

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  • 2

    Cats walk tiptoed

    cat running with all paws off the ground for a brief moment

    Cats are delicate creatures. So delicate that they even walk around on their Tippy-toes. Why? Well its all about survival and of course food. By constantly being on toes, it ups their speed and therefore a successful hunt...to the finely placed cat bowl. And, they are a lot quieter on their toes, making it harder for prey to detect them... or for us to detect them. 

  • 3

    Cat paws are flexible

    cat in a tree

    A cat's paw is extremely flexible. They have the ability to bend and turn. This helps felines climb and hunt. How do you ask? Well, their front paws are designed to turn inward while climbing, in order to sink their claws into branches. So how do they get suck in trees? 

    When going down trees their front claws are facing the opposite direction and are going head-first down. So the front legs and paws are weaker than the more muscular back legs.

  • 4

    Cat paws act as shock absorbers

    cat flying in the air, indoors over hardwood floors.

    Their paws also do an excellent job when it comes to being shock and sound absorbers. The cushions on their paws are perfect when it comes to soften landing and helps them move silently. 


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  • 5

    Cats use paws for grooming

    Cat grooming self with paws.

    Paws are perfect grooming tools, helping cats clean those hard to reach areas like behind ears, under chins, on necks and faces. They accomplish this by first licking their paw several times and then wiping it on those areas that they can't directly lick.

  • 6

    Cat paws are sensitive

    Mouse smelling the cat's paws.

    Ever wonder why your cat freaks out whenever you go near their paws? Thats because little paw pads are extremely sensitive. They contain so many large concentrations of nerve receptors, that it actually makes a very important sensory organ that aides in hunting and to maintain their balance. (even though sometimes they really don't have any) Because of these receptors, cats feel texture, pressure and possibly vibrations through their paw pads, helping them evaluate the liveliness and close proximity of their prey. However, because their paws are so sensitive and helps them, they can also bring injury. (Temperature, pressure and pain.)

  • 7

    Cats use paws to communicate

    cat scratching on a post.

    Cats scratch objects in a way to mark their territories and broadcast information about themselves. So adding onto visual evidence, they have scent glands located between the paw pads. This helps get their information loud and clear to any other in the area.

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  • 8

    Paws sweat

    cat sleeping with paw close up

    We are all thinking about it now... Do cats even sweat? 

    Answer: Cats sweat from the bottom of their paw pads. It's this cooling system that helps keep cats from over-heating on hot days. Frightened and stressed cats also sweat from the bottoms of their paws.

  • 9

    Cat paw colors vary

    darker colored cat paws.

    The Paw pads on cats actually come in colors that match the rest of the cat's color scheme. The pigments that make up the fur are the same that colors the skin!

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