9 facts about cat paws you probably didn't know

A cat’s paw is more than just cute little toe beans for you to squeal over.

They’re actually have serious jobs to do that help cats survive!

Here are 9 facts about cat claws you probably didn’t know.

1. Cats have dominant paws

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Just like humans, cats too have a dominant paw. Cats have paw preferences, especially when they are performing challenging tasks. Want to 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 it’s a snack your cat will eagerly want!

2. Cats walk tiptoed

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Cats are delicate creatures. So delicate that they even walk around on their Tippy-toes. Why? Well it’s 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

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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

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No... not that kind of shock absorber.

The cushions on their paws are perfect when it comes to soften landing and helps them move silently.

5. Cats use paws for grooming

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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

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Ever wonder why your cat freaks out whenever you go near their paws? That’s 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

 

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A post shared by i iz cat (@iizcat) on Mar 16, 2017 at 3:14pm PDT

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.

8. Paws sweat

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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

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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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Via cheezburger & Catster