Your cat’s paws might look small and soft, but they do far more than simply carry your cat from one room to another. They help with balance, climbing, hunting, grooming, scratching, temperature regulation and even communication.
Understanding how cat paws work can also make everyday care easier. You may notice why your cat dislikes having its feet touched, why scratching is such an important behaviour, or why a sudden change in the way your cat walks deserves attention.
Here are 10 useful facts about cat paws that every cat owner should know.
1. Most Cats Have 18 Toes
A typical cat has five toes on each front paw and four on each back paw, giving them 18 toes in total. The extra digit on each front foot is the dewclaw.
Unlike the other toes, the dewclaw sits slightly higher on the leg and does not normally touch the ground when a cat walks. However, it can still help with gripping toys, prey or objects during play.
It is worth checking dewclaws when trimming nails because they may not wear down as quickly as the other claws.
2. Cats Actually Walk on Their Toes
Cats are digitigrade animals, meaning they walk mainly on their toes rather than placing the whole foot flat on the ground like humans.
This body structure helps cats move quickly and quietly while keeping their legs relatively long for their body size. It also contributes to the springy movement you see when a cat runs, jumps onto furniture or suddenly launches into a round of zoomies.
Their paw pads add traction, while the toes can spread slightly when extra grip is needed.
3. Some Cats Have Extra Toes
Cats born with more than the usual number of toes are known as polydactyl cats.
The extra digits can appear on the front paws, back paws or both. They are caused by an inherited genetic variation rather than anything the cat has done during its lifetime.
Extra toes do not automatically cause a health problem, but owners should check the additional claws regularly. Awkwardly positioned nails may grow differently and can sometimes become overgrown if they do not naturally contact scratching surfaces.
4. Cats Can Have a Preferred Paw
Cats are not always equally comfortable using both front paws.
Research and behavioural observations suggest that some cats consistently favour one paw when stepping over an obstacle, reaching for food or batting at a toy. VCA Animal Hospitals notes that studies have found female cats may be more likely to favour the right paw, while males may be more likely to favour the left, although individual cats vary.
You can test this at home by watching which paw your cat uses first across several different activities rather than judging from one attempt.
5. Paw Pads Help Cats Grip, Climb and Land
Those soft pads underneath the feet are built for movement. They provide traction on different surfaces and help cushion the feet when a cat jumps down.
The toes and claws then provide additional grip when climbing. This is one reason indoor cats benefit from stable vertical spaces rather than only having toys on the floor.
A sturdy cat tree gives cats somewhere appropriate to climb, stretch their legs, use their claws and move between different heights. For larger or energetic cats, stability is more important than simply choosing the tallest tower.
For cats that enjoy climbing and elevated resting spots, these three options offer quite different setups:
The compact 90901B is better suited to cats that mainly want a raised window-side bed, while the 115cm 90906 adds more climbing levels and a larger resting area. The 165cm Dreamland offers considerably more vertical movement for active cats and multi-level play.
6. Cats Can Sweat Through Their Paw Pads
Cats do have sweat glands in their paws. Cats may leave damp paw prints when excited or stressed, although sweating through the paws only plays a relatively small role in cooling the body.
So if you notice slightly moist paw prints during a vet visit or stressful situation, it does not necessarily mean your cat has stepped in water.
7. Scratching Is Part of Normal Paw Care
Scratching is not simply a bad habit aimed at your sofa.
Cats scratch to stretch their muscles, maintain their claws and remove old outer claw layers. Scratching also forms part of normal territorial behaviour.
Rather than trying to stop scratching completely, give your cat an appropriate surface with enough resistance to push against. A stable cat scratching post should ideally let your cat extend its body comfortably without wobbling.
Placement matters too. Put scratchers near sleeping areas, favourite furniture or places where your cat already scratches rather than hiding them in an unused corner.
8. Paw Pads Help Cushion Landings
Cats are excellent jumpers, but their paws still deal with significant forces every time they land.
The soft tissue within the paw pads helps provide cushioning and distributes some of the impact. Their flexible legs and joints also contribute, so it would be misleading to think of paw pads as the cat’s only shock absorber.
For indoor cats, consider how they get down as well as how they climb up. Older cats, heavier cats and cats with mobility problems may appreciate lower platforms or intermediate steps instead of one large jump.
9. Paw Pads Are Highly Sensitive
A cat’s paws contain many sensory receptors that help them respond to texture, pressure and movement.
That sensitivity explains why some cats immediately pull their feet away when owners try to touch them. Instead of forcing paw handling, gradually build tolerance with short sessions, gentle touching and rewards.
This becomes useful later when you need to inspect the paws, trim claws or check between the toes for litter, small objects or irritation.
Quick Guide: What Your Cat’s Paws Can Tell You
Your cat’s paws can sometimes give you useful clues about comfort, stress and mobility. The table below shows some common paw-related behaviours and what owners should pay attention to.
| What You Notice | What It May Mean | What You Can Do |
|---|---|---|
| Frequent scratching | Normal claw maintenance, stretching and scent marking | Provide a stable scratching surface near favourite resting or activity areas. |
| Repeated paw licking | Normal grooming, but excessive licking may suggest irritation, injury or something trapped between the toes | Check the pads, claws and spaces between the toes for redness, swelling or debris. |
| Wet paw prints | Cats can sweat through their paw pads, especially during stress or heat | Consider the environment and watch for other signs of overheating or stress. |
| Avoiding jumps or climbing | Possible paw discomfort, joint stiffness or reduced confidence | Add lower platforms or easier access points and monitor whether the behaviour continues. |
| Limping or not putting weight on one paw | Possible injury, damaged claw, foreign object or pain | Inspect the paw carefully and contact a veterinarian if the problem is persistent or severe. |
10. Paw Problems Can Be an Early Sign Something Is Wrong
Get into the habit of occasionally checking all four paws. Look for swelling, broken claws, cuts, burns, cracked pads, redness or anything trapped between the toes.
Also pay attention to behaviour. Repeatedly licking one paw, suddenly avoiding jumps or limping can indicate pain even when the injury is difficult to see.
Minor surface dirt can usually be cleaned carefully, but persistent limping, bleeding, severe swelling or a damaged claw should be assessed by a veterinarian. If a trip to the clinic is necessary, using a secure cat carrier will also reduce the chance of further injury during transport.
Give Your Cat’s Paws Somewhere to Work
Healthy paws are designed to grip, climb, scratch, stretch and explore. Indoor cats still need opportunities to use those natural behaviours, so the goal is not simply to protect your furniture. It is to create an environment where the cat has better alternatives.
Provide different scratching surfaces, check the paws regularly and choose climbing furniture that suits your cat’s size, age and activity level.
Explore the range at PawPawUp to find a suitable cat tree, scratching furniture and everyday essentials designed to make indoor life more comfortable and interesting for your cat.