Interesting facts about cats' paws

What are cat paws used for?

Cats' soft, sweet paws have many more functions and functions than we think. Here are some interesting and perhaps unknown facts about cat paws:

They detect ground movement and vibrations

Cats' paws, especially their fingertips, contain a number of sensory receptors that help them understand the world around them. These receptors allow the cat to detect touch, pressure, temperature and even pain. It can also sense where its prey is or possible dangers in its environment with the help of these receptors.

Cats can detect vibrations, ground movements, and even the slightest air movements with their sensitive paws. This ability allows them to be alert to predators and identify their prey. They can also sense with their sensitive paws when a mouse or other small animal is moving underground.

Silent paws

Cats are digitigrade animals that walk on tiptoe. Compared to plantigrade animals such as humans and bears, this gait allows cats to move faster and more quietly. This is a great advantage, especially when hunting. In addition, special pads under their paws dampen the sound of each step, allowing them to approach potential prey silently.

Cats are also very quiet in the home environment, they move from room to room almost without making any noise, and they can wander around the entire house at night without waking you. With these features, they can easily adapt to the home environment.

The sweat glands are in the paws

Cats use their paws, among many different methods, to cool down and balance their body temperature in hot weather. Unlike humans and dogs, cats' sweat glands are in their paw pads rather than on their bodies. They sweat from their paws in hot weather or when they get excited. This is not enough to protect them from the heat. Therefore, on hot days, give your cat plenty of water and let it spend time in a cool place.

Helps in climbing and hunting

Cats' nails are generally curved inward and sharp, and their ankles are more mobile than many other animals. These features make it easier for them to climb trees or other high places and hold on to surfaces. Additionally, these sharp and strong nails help them catch, control or kill their prey.

Alleviates landing shock

Cats' paw pads have the ability to absorb the shock caused by falling or jumping. These pads are filled with fatty tissue, which can distribute the body's weight and protect against impact. So, when a cat jumps or falls from a high place, the paw pads absorb most of the impact, thus reducing any damage to the cat's skeletal system. This helps cats fall safely even from incredibly high places. However, this mechanism cannot protect cats from all types of injuries. As a result of falls from very high heights, the cat may suffer serious injuries. For this reason, it is important that you take every precaution that can prevent your cat from falling from a height.

Cats clean themselves with their paws

Cats are animals that are extremely careful about their cleanliness, cleaning is indispensable for a cat to feel comfortable and happy. It also helps prevent hairball formation and skin diseases. Paws are cats' most important cleaning tools. They clean the areas their mouths cannot reach with their paws. First they lick their paws, and then they use their licked paws to clean their face, ears and fur.

They mark their territory

Cats have special glands on their paws, especially between their nails and paw pads, that secrete pheromones. When cats scratch or step on a surface, pheromones are secreted from these glands. These pheromones, detected by other cats, are an important part of social interactions and territory marking between cats. A cat marking its territory gives the message "This is my space" to other cats. This type of territory marking is especially common when multiple cats live in the same area.

Paws can be intimidating

Cats can use their paws and nails to deter, threaten, or defend themselves from a potential attacker. They can wave their paws towards the enemy for warning purposes without removing their nails. Or when they feel threatened, they can grow their nails as a counter threat, defend themselves, or attack if they have to.

Cats can also be left-handed

Some studies have shown that cats, like humans, tend to use a particular paw (right or left) more dominantly. has been observed. For example, in one study, to determine cats' paw preferences, they were given various tasks such as reaching a bowl or playing with a toy, and it was observed which paws they preferred to use while doing these tasks. And as a result, cats tend to use a certain paw more in certain situations. This means cats can be "left-handed" or "right-handed". However, more research is needed on this subject.

Paw prints are unique

Although cats' paw prints seem similar to each other (four small pads and palm), in fact, each cat's paw print is unique, just like human fingerprints. However, a cat's paw print is difficult to identify with certainty. Because the clarity of the paw prints depends on the type of surface, whether the surface is wet or dry, the cat's movement speed and many other factors. These tracks generally cannot be used to link to a specific cat. However, the size and shape of the paw prints can often give some clues about the cat's overall size and breed.