Did you ever think about your cat's feet? Well, let's
paws for a moment and talk about these remarkable bits
of cat anatomy.
A cat's paw is uniquely designed to serve a cat in many
ways. It enables cats to stalk silently, snatch prey or
playthings and scale heights. It provides secure footing
and serves as a very useful sensing device.
--PAW PADS:
A cat's paw pads are composed of thick skin, connective tissue and fat. Countless nerves within the pads detect variations in the texture and temperature of surfaces and objects. When encountering a strange object, a cat usually touches it with a paw before deciding on a course of action. I know you've seen yours do this many times. The skin is rough and thick, generally about 1/20 inch, and provides a tough surface for protection when walking and a firm grip on slippery surfaces. It creates a noiseless tread when a cat is stalking prey.
The paw pads also have sweat glands that produce watery sweat when a cat is hot or frightened, causing damp paw prints.
--CLAWS - NOW YOU SEE 'EM NOW YOU DON'T!
The paw's most useful feature is without a doubt the very sharp and retractable claws. A cat can extend her claws to climb the nearest tall object when it feels threatened. Cats also use their claws to defend themselves and to catch and hold prey. Most of the time the claws are retracted under the soft foot pads to keep them from constantly getting caught on things. This retractable feature enables cats to walk silently.
A cat's paws are flexible, enabling a cat to turn its claws
inward to sink its claws and snatch prey or a plaything.
This flexibility allows a cat to use his paws as a wash
cloth to wash behind his ears.
RIGHTY OR LEFTY OR BOTH?
Is your cat a south paw or a righty? Cats tend to have a paw dominance somewhat akin to the right- and left- handedness found in humans. In one study, researchers
observed right front paw usage was observed in 20 percent of the cats while another 38.3 percent favored the left side. The remaining 40 percent were ambidextrous. Factors such as convenience and reaching for something can modify these findings.
Another study observed that 40 cats living in a domestic
environment for paw preference using a food-reaching test. A total of 46 percent used the right paw, 44 percent
preferred the left paw and 10 percent were ambidextrous. There was no difference in paw dominance between male and female cats.
--SPECIAL CARE FOR THE PAWS:
If a cat is allowed outdoors, special attention should be
paid to his paw pads. During the summer, seeds can become imbedded in the paw pads and cause considerable discomfort. If not removed, they can become imbedded in the soft skin between the toes and may lead to an infection.
After a cat has been outside during the winter, check
carefully to remove snow, between his paw pads.
A cat's curiosity can lead him into misadventures and
special problems with the paws may result:
--Gum, tar or other sticky substances can usually be
removed by rubbing a little mineral oil into the
affected area.
--To remove water-based paint, wash the affected area
repeatedly with warm water and soap. Doing this as
soon as possible speeds the removal.
--Oil-based paint on the paws should be treated promptly. Wipe the fresh paint off with dry cloths and then wash with warm water and soap. Do not use paint removers, kerosene or gasoline because they can cause severe skin irritations.
So there you have it, all about your cat's paws. This information was provided courtesy of the Purina
Pet Institute.
